HAMILTON — The fast-growing Butler County city of Trenton plans to annex 217 acres in the next two months that it hopes will attract businesses as well as residents.

        “Trenton is very interested in economic development,” City Manager Dennis Sparks said.

        “It will increase our tax base, lower the tax rate citizens pay and put more people to work.”

        The Butler County commissioners recommended on Thursdaythe annexation of 5 acres in St. Clair Township and 36 acres in Madison Township to Trenton. Both are on Wayne Madison Road.

        On Monday, they will vote on Trenton annexation proposals involving 52 acres on Howe Road in Madison Township and 22 acres on Wayne Madison Road in St. Clair Township.

        Next Thursday, they will consider the Trenton annexation of 36 acres on North Miami Street and 66 acres in East State Street. Both are in Madison Township.

        Trenton City Council will take action during the next two months to annex the six tracts, which involve 12 property owners. The property is mostly undeveloped.

        The 22 acres on Wayne Madison Road, north of the Miller Brewery, are zoned industrial.

        The rest of the land proposed for annexation is zoned for residential development. But Mr. Sparks said after Trenton annexes the property, the property owners could ask the city to rezone their land to allow business development.

        Trenton is one of Butler County's fastest-growing small cities. Its population has grown from 6,189 in 1990 to an estimated 9,500. The 2000 census indicates 8,746 residents. But Trenton officials say that figure is too low.

        One reason these annexation proposals have come now is the desire of the property owners to act before new state annexation laws are adopted, said Roger Eckert, the city's attorney.

        Some believe the new laws will make annexation more difficult. The laws are being held up by the courts, and it's uncertain when they will go into effect.

        St. Clair Township trustees oppose the two annexations involving the property on Wayne Madison Road.

        Trustee Gary Couch said the township spent $24,000 improving the intersection at Wayne-Madison and Ohio 73, where the 5-acre tract is located.

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