Tuesday, March 14, 2000
Boone delays land use guide
Property owners object to wording
BY ANDREA TORTORA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — A public debate over word choice tabled the adoption Monday of the goals and objectives of Boone County's comprehensive plan, the document that guides land use in the county.
At issue is how the county will guide changes to rural areas in the western part of the county.
For nearly two hours Monday night, the fiscal court discussed suggestions for the land use document with about 50 developers, farmers and other property owners at the county administration building.
The League of Property Owners presented the “farmers heritage protection act” for inclusion, a document that would weaken the wording of the comprehensive plan. It changes words such as “establish” to “consider,” or “mitigate” for a type of undesirable development rather than “prohibit” it.
Bob Porter, a Richwood landowner, said he was alarmed by the “bold language” in the comprehensive plan and how divisive it sounds.
“We are split in half, and this document perpetuates that,” Mr. Porter said.
Rick Brueggemann, a member of the league, said he fears the plan's language would limit how owners could use, sell or develop their land.
“Certain points in here are damaging to people without 401(k)s and stock investments,” Mr. Brueggemann said. “If you make it so we can't sell our property, you destroy our retirement.”
Walton resident Bernie Kunkel said if the fiscal court wants to preserve rural land in western Boone County, it should purchase the property. “If you buy it, you can preserve it all you want,” he said.
Judge-executive Gary Moore said the commission needs more time to review changes to the document before it could vote.
Nevertheless, there was plenty of political talk about the role of government in regulating property development.
Commissioner Robert Hay said the plan is about controlling growth, not stopping it.
“At some point we have to decide in this county whether we want the west side to look like the east side,” Mr. Hay said. “What we're talking about is making the development fit that part of the county.”
Commissioners Rob Arnold and Cathy Flaig said government should not make those decisions.
“We need to stay out of (farmers') lives,” Ms. Flaig said. “Less government is better government. That's what we were elected on.”
Mr. Arnold and Ms. Flaig made an attempt to adopt a version of the goals and objectives that included the farmers heritage protection act and other suggested changes. The motion failed, 2-2.
Instead, the court will reconsider the goals and objectives at 5 p.m. on March 27 at the county administration building.
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