COVINGTON — A group of public officials says “smart growth” is the answer to managing Greater Cincinnati's growth and reducing the impact of suburban sprawl.

        During a Tuesday morning press conference on the Ohio riverfront, members of the Smart Growth Coalition for Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky introduced a guide to better planning in the region.

        “This guide is about how we can turn the tide away from sprawl towards smart growth, how we can revive our hometown tradition of intelligent and far-sighted land use planning,” said Catherine Hartman, president of the Smart Growth Coalition and a member of Evendale City Council.

        Joining Ms. Hartman in the announcement of the guide were Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune and Boone County Commissioner Robert Hay.

        Over the next two years, the guide will be distributed to public officials in nine Greater Cincinnati counties. Public forums will also be held for input from citizens, business owners and others.

        Among the recommendations:

        • More regional planning among local governments.

        • Providing money and planning to preserve greenspace and farms.

        • Reforming zoning codes to encourage redevelopment of existing neighborhoods and more compact development.

        • Providing more transportation choices, including light rail and expanded bus service.

        • Reclaiming and developing abandoned industrial property known as “brownfields.”

        • Forcing developers to pay for costs now often paid by taxpayers.

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