Thursday, July 01, 1999
Public has say on Longbranch plan
Neighbors worry about road, flooding
BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — The issues were traffic, flooding and Boone County's comprehensive plan Wednesday night as residents filled a courtroom to talk about a proposed development along Longbranch Road.
The Boone County Planning Commission heard public comment on a request by Florence to annex and rezone 367 acres for the proposed Longbranch Park development.
The development would include houses priced from $100,000 to $400,000 that would be phased in over 10 years. The city wants several zone changes that would essentially allow a maximum of 954 homes on the site.
City officials have said there is a shortage of single-family detached residences in the city and this proposal, by Fischer Development Co., would fill that void. “We have determined that it is in the best interest of the city,” said Florence City Coordinator Jeff Koenig.
However, residents in Unionsay there are already traffic problems at the intersection of U.S. 42 and Longbranch Road and the development would make them worse.
“Longbranch Road is a narrow road and you can't have high-density development along there,” said Don Stepner, who lives on Longbranch Road. “It is high density no matter what they say.”
Residents also contend that the increased development would only exacerbate their flooding problems.
William Weaver, who lives on Longbranch Road, said he's seen the creek rise above the bridge.
“People, we're in trouble,” he said. “What height bridge are they going to have to build?”
But James Gorman, vice president and general manager of Fischer Development, said his company will address those issues.
Joe Trauth, an attorney with Keating Muething & Klekamp in Cincinnati, added that the development company must adhere to state regulations with regard to runoff.
“After development we can have no greater runoff than we did before.”
This isn't the first time the city of Florence and Union residents have fought over this land; they were in an annexation battle earlier this year. Union wanted to keep the rural character of the area and Florence wanted it for the Fischer development.
Union withdrew its ordinance in April.
Florence had approved an ordinance in December saying it intended to annex the acreage, but Union also passed ordinances to annex the land as part of a larger parcel, an hour before the Florence meeting.
Florence then sued Union in Boone Circuit Court asking that annexation rights be given to Florence because Union did not give proper notification of the meeting. Boone County resi dents who wanted to be annexed also sued Union commission members.
The fate of the land is now in the hands of the planning commission. If the planning commission approves Florence's request, Union commission members will have a chance to go before the Florence City Council before a final decision is made over use of the land.
The zone change committee is scheduled to review the issue July 15, and the full commission could vote on the request as early as July 21.
County: Stadiums need auditor
Officer in fatal shooting resigns
$145M Powerball fuels frenzy here
Homeless have young faces
More grandchildren living with their grandparents
Sons' legacy lives on in new organ donor law
Two tax relief proposals before city
Ex-Chiquita lawyer's plea deal results in probation
Prayers, not blame, in near drowning
Boy accused of rape in juvenile jail
Deliveryman saves a life, but one lost
Did judge seek help in brother's case?
School board stops on a dime
District fears $19M cut on inventory tax
Textbook example of charity
Blessid Union has fan in Cindy
Center offers care outside medical mainstream
Cincinnati's Century of Change
Era ends as Ripley's Alive! closes doors
GET TO IT
Aiding aged was second career for retiring nun
Buckle up, win chance at big bucks
City defends sting against 'nude interactive conduct'
Community center idea gets new life
Covington may look at day curfew
Cyanide cloud averted in Miami U. lab spill
Day camp lacks kids
Deerfield happy to see township protection bill pass
Expert says cancer blame misplaced
Fairfield's 'Carousel' a city hit
Hamilton police computerize prints
Kasich attacks business' breaks
Lawrenceburg signs deal on landmarks
Man gets prison for partly sinking Belle
Mental health agencies join to save funds
Murder defendant deemed fit for trial
New rates approved for Fountain Square garages
Pair arrested in robbery file suit against city, police and accusers
Public has say on Longbranch plan
Sharing van ride now a better deal
Spouse charged in stabbing
State lifting Silverton's fiscal watch
Taft makes last-minute review of $22.6B budget
Taxi driver charged in fatal crash
Tip leads police to drug arrests
TRISTATE DIGEST
