Wednesday, January 26, 2000
Land rezoned for new megamall
Also, trash fees to be reduced
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MONROE — City Council cleared a major hurdle for a proposed mall Tuesday by rezoning 331 acres in Corridor 75 Park that would make up the bulk of the mall site.
Another vote by council will result in an unusual change — a rate reduction for residents. The savings from a new waste collection contract with Waste Management of Ohio Inc., of Fairborn, is being passed on to residents. The trash rates will drop by $1 per customer per month.
“We accepted Waste Management's bid because they were the low bidder, considerably lower than Rumpke,” not because of any problems with Rumpke's 25 years of service, said Mayor Elbert Tannreuther.
The city planning commission had recommended that the industrial park land be rezoned from heavy industrial to general commercial. Council's vote was unanimous.
During a recent public hearing on the rezoning, representatives of Michigan-
based Taubman Co., and Lenny Robinson, president of Robinson Lawton Kent Realtors, the park agent, said the rezoning is a key to the mall's development.
Another key is a new Interstate 75 interchange south of Ohio 63. Some opposition surfaced recently, and more appears to be forming after Ohio's Transportation Review Council (TRAC) gave the proposed $22 million Kyles Station interchange a boost in early January by recognizing it as a viable project that they would like to see studied further.
The developer said recently it is too early to estimate a time for acquisition of the land or for starting work.
Taubman has 360 acres for the mall under option, including the 331 acres approved for rezoning.
The estimated 1.4 million-square-foot mall, would bring about 200 stores, plus themed restaurants and entertainment centers. It could bring 3,000 jobs early on.
As for the trash fees, residents now pay $9 a month to cover weekly pickups, recycling, twice-a-year large-item pickups and administrative costs.
The savings, which should be reflected on February bills, stems from the city's new con tract with Waste Management, which is expected to cost the city about $20,000 less annually.
Rumpke's last collection day will be Monday. Waste Management will begin collecting Tuesday or Wednesday.
Waste Management is dropping off green recycling bins, and residents will be notified of the types of recyclables to be collected. Rumpke's red bins should be left at the curbside before the last collection day to be picked up.
The city recently learned that Butler County has increased sewer rates by 24 cents per 1,000 gallons usage, which will cost the average customer 48 cents to 98 cents more per month.
Council also agreed to spend $98,666 to extend the city water line from the under-construction Colonial Manor Square subdivision on Ohio 63, about 2,150 feet east to the Monroe Commerce Center, at Ohio 63 and Salzman Road, said City Manager Don Whitman.
The extension, which will have a two-way interconnect with Butler County for emergencies, will let the city serve the industrial center rather than the county.
It also fits with the city's long-range plans to loop the water system. A looped system eliminates dead ends, which can cause problems with pressure and quality, Mr. Whitman said.
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