Saturday, April 29, 2000
City offers to purchase properties
By Kevin Aldridge
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MASON — Leaders here are negotiating to buy more than $1.4 million worth of land on Mason-Montgomery Road near the site planned for a high school, recreation center and city building.
City Council is offering to buy 11 homes next to the city's 74 acres along the quarter-mile stretch of road. Council already has appraised the homes and acquired three of them for $407,236.
|
PROPERTIES
|
Mason officials have offered to buy out 11 property owners whose homes abut the site planned for a city building, high school and recreation center on Mason-Montgomery Road. If the city purchased all the properties it would cost nearly $1.5 million.
Robert and Marian Chase, 526 Mason-Montgomery Road: $58,000
Mildred Smith, 534 Mason-Montgomery Road: $118,456 *
Stephen Suess, 548 Mason-Montgomery Road: $160,960
Robert and Diane Beatty, 560 Mason-Montgomery Road: $141,983
Deana M. Davis, 576 Mason-Montgomery Road: $120,840
Kenneth Chappell, 600 Mason-Montgomery Road: $155,940 *
Rosalie F. Fields, 610 Mason-Montgomery Road: $147,409
Joseph and Alta Lassen, 620 Mason-Montgomery Road: $156,272
June Trice, 640 Mason-Montgomery Road: $161,656
Earl Bowen, 660 Mason-Montgomery Road: $140,880
David and Karen South, 690 Mason-Montgomery Road: $132,840 *
* Homes already purchased by the city.
Source: City of Mason
|
“While these properties aren't necessary for the development of the city's land, their acquisition greatly benefits the property owners considering the entire landscape of where they are living will change,” City Manager Scot Lahrmer said.
City officials say they felt “a moral obligation” to offer a remedy for longtime homeowners who might not wish to live next door to the multimillion-dollar complex. Mr. Lahrmer said the potential widening of Mason-Montgomery Road could place additional lanes of traffic closer to some homes.
“I think we needed to give these residents an option,” Councilwoman Charlene Pelfrey said. ""Where this was once a quiet neighborhood, it's now going to be the biggest hustle and bustle in the community.”
But one Mason residentsays council is setting a “dangerous precedent” by buying the homes. Rick Inskeep, a 10-year resident, questioned whether council would do the same for every neighborhood negatively affected by a development.
“I think it's wonderful council feels they have a moral obligation to these people,” said Mr. Inskeep, who is running for the Ohio 2nd District House seat this year as a Democrat. “Now council can buy out any resident who objects to a city project.
“Maybe they can start with those folks out on Ty lersville Road who complained for months about the (widened) road being backed up to their houses,” he added. “Or what about those Deerfield Township residents that will be affected by the city's proposed water tower on Mason Road?”
Mr. Lahrmer acknowledged the city would not react the same way with every development, but added that council tries to be responsive to residents whenever a city project creates a problem.
New ballpark still shrouded in mystery
'Son of Beast' gets thumbs-up
State investigating Holcomb aide's use of crime computer
ATP tourney looks for new site
City street honors Sabin
Maybe we could survive attack
Megan's Law upheld in Ohio
Plan to make prostitutes pay for 'shame ads' scrapped
Schools get gift: an angel
St. Ursula expansion begins
Student charged after bomb threat
GET TO IT
Minimalistic dancing is novel, but tiresome
Truls Mork's cello enlivens orchestra
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Agencies receive raise from record United Way gift
Bank robbery suspects arrested
Blood testing sought for boys
Census workers hit streets today
City offers to purchase properties
City plans hearing on zoning bid
Council member casts 1st votes
District raises reading scores with inclusive approach
Ex-con acquitted of rape counts
Harrison celebrates 150th year
Kidnap case awaits tests
Lebanon may pay to fix train tracks
Students blaze research trail
Surgeons' abandoned house may be razed, county says
Teacher quits amid chair flap
Tristate Digest
Woman's clothes set on fire
