Friday, May 07, 1999
Boone Co. OKs Genesis museum
Fiscal court votes 3-1 for zone change
BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — Answers in Genesis can build its controversial museum. The Boone County Fiscal Court voted 3-1 to grant the evangelical Christian organization's request for a zone change on 47 acres in northwest Boone County from “suburban residential” to “public facility.”
That will allow construction of a 95,000-square-foot museum that will display dinosaur models, a walk-through human-cell exhibit and fossils. The Florence-based group believes in a literal interpretation of the creation of the world and man. It believes the Book of Genesis is a factual presentation of actual events.
“It wasn't a surprise,” said Mike Zovath, general manager for the group. “The findings of fact have supported the proposal all along.”
Opponents complained about inadequate infrastructure, including water and sewer service, as well as traffic problems during the three-hour meeting.
“A vote for this is absolutely inexcusable,” said Jennifer Warner, a Burlington resident. “A vote for this is the first step against the rural nature of western Boone County.”
Attorneys for both Answers in Genesis and the opposing residents had 15 minutes to argue their case before the fiscal court. Jay Fossett, a Fort Wright attorney representing the residents, argued that the county should follow its own policies.
“Infrastructure needs to be in place before development occurs,” he said. “Let's not rush into the development.”
Tim Theissen, a Covington attorney representing Answers in Genesis, said the group would supply the infrastructure.
“The key word here is adequate,” he said. “The infrastructure has to be adequate, not public.”
Some of the opposing residents asked Commissioner Robert Hay not to vote on the issue because he has friends who work for Answers in Genesis.
“I, for many years, have been one who has made a religious confession, like many, in Christ,” Mr. Hay said. “That is not a reason to vote yes or no on this issue.”
Mr. Hay, as well as Commissioner Rob Arnold and Judge-executive Gary Moore, said Answers in Genesis convinced them that it could provide adequate infrastructure. Commissioner Cathy Flaig cast the only no vote.
Mr. Moore said he thought the “public facility” zone would protect residents in the area from an industrial zone, which could bring other types of businesses citizens do not want if Answers in Genesis is unable to build there.
“There was a lot of concern about setting a precedent that would allow adjoining properties to be zoned industrial,” Mr. Moore said. “Additionally, if AIG were to fail, you would have a situation where there is a building already in place and that might have allowed a much more intense facility to move in.
“The public facility zone protects them from any of those future business. That would apply to mining, but other businesses as well.”
Answers in Genesis has been looking for a museum site in Boone County since 1996. The group had requested an industrial zone, which the planning commission and fiscal court both rejected.
In November, the Florence-based ministry filed a lawsuit in Boone Circuit Court against fiscal-court members and the planning commission because the request was rejected.
The lawsuit will now be dropped because of the fiscal court's decision.
Sheila Merrell of Burlington said residents opposed to the issue are going to meet this week to discuss their next step.
“We're discussing whether or not we want to appeal,” she said.
As for Answers in Genesis, its is off to the drawing board.
“Now we can get to the fun part,” Mr. Zovath said. “We're going to work with contractors, engineers and architects to find a home for all those great exhibits.”
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