Saturday, April 29, 2000
City plans hearing on zoning bid
By Sara J. Bennett
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FOREST PARK — Residents concerned about how a new 123-acre development project will affect their homes will get to ask questions of the developers and city officials Monday evening.
City council will hold a public hearing on a proposed rezoning of land at the corner of Mill and Waycross Roads that Union Central Life Insurance Co. and Cincinnati United Contractors, Inc. plan to turn into a complex of offices, high-tech commercial buildings and light industrial facilities.
The land is zoned just for offices. The proposed rezoning would create a special planning area that would allow for a variety of uses.
Residents have met with project representatives over the past few weeks, and Cincinnati United Contractors has revised its concept plan to create better buffers between buildings and houses.
Still, several people are expected at Monday's council meeting, if only to make sure they have as much information as possible about the proposed project.
“The traffic on Mill road is so awful, I can just see it now at 5 p.m. when all those businesses get out,” said Bonnie Debo, a resident of Mill Road. “I can't even get out now.”
Privacy worries
Although Ms. Debo appeared to accept that the project will likely go forward, she said she didn't like it.
“We're going to look out of our bedroom window down onto a parking lot with all these bright lights,” she said. “There's going to be no privacy.”
Planners from Cincinnati United Contractors have tried to make the project more appealing to residents, said Property Development Manager William Mees Jr.
The amount of land dedicated to offices has been expanded. Building setbacks are 100 feet instead of the maximum 25 required under current zoning. A swath of green space, measuring 300 feet at its widest point, will be kept between the development and abutting Mandarin Court.
Notification plans
Neighbors also will be notified when individual projects are being considered at the site, said David Kubicki, vice president of Cincinnati United Contractors.
Forest Park's planning commission recommended approval of the rezoning on Tuesday after a meeting attended by several residents. If rezoning gets council approval, work on sewers and a road that will run through the development will begin in late summer, Mr. Mees said.
The project has been praised by city officials for its potential to help reinvigorate nearby Hamilton Avenue, which is one of the city's main entrances.
“Forest Park does not have a lot of vacant land left for development,” said Cassandra Clement, director of community development, planning and zoning. “The development of the property is exciting for the city because of the new businesses that will enter Forest Park, and with them the tax base that will come from that.”
Monday's public hearing will take place at 7:45 p.m. in council chambers at 1201 West Kemper Road. Council will consider a first reading of the rezoning ordinance at a meeting immediately following. The second reading is scheduled for May 15.
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
