LIBERTY TWP. — In an attempt to ease growing pains in this rapidly expanding suburb, Trustee Bob Shelley propose a committee to gather citizen input. The committee of residents, township and county officials would discuss future development. The township saw a 146 percent rise in population between 1990 and 2000.

        Mr. Shelley said he will make the proposal today at the 7 p.m. township meeting.

        “We need to see if we can come to some sort of agreement or an understanding where we do not constantly have bickering and referendums and this kind of thing,” Mr. Shelley said.

        Liberty will hold its second referendum to halt development in less than a year in the May 7 primary. Voters will decide whether two businesses — a strip shopping center and a convenience store consistent with the township's land use plan — will emerge at the intersection of Ohio 747 and Princeton Road.

        The first referendum last November was successful in curbing development off Yankee Road next to the Michael A. Fox Highway. Voters overturned trustees' decision to zone two parcels there for development.

        But Mr. Shelley says Liberty, which has about 25,000 residents and is expecting thousands of new homes over the next five years, is being cast in an anti-business light. The township must lure more business to offset residential taxes and to pay for road improvements, he said.

        But some residents have repeatedly complained that township officials seem eager to “throw up” whatever type of business developers want to build in Liberty, as long as it's not bars or nude dancing clubs.

        “We have relayed that message that we're panicked about no businesses being here and we'll do anything to get business,” Mr. Shelley said.

        He said he would like to see citizens such as Robert Hoffman, who has helped lead the referendum movement, Administrator Nell Kilpatrick and planning officials from the township and county involved.

        Mr. Hoffman said he would be happy to work on such a committee. “It's what we've asked for all along, to be part of the process, not to be at the end of the line and get the leftovers. If we get a development, we want it to be good for everyone.”

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