WEST CHESTER TWP — A new office and retail building will be next to emerge along a bustling interchange off the Butler County Regional Highway.

        Construction will begin in two months on Union Crossing Business Center, a 15,750-square-foot, multi-tenant center, just inside the township lineat the southwest corner of Cincinnati-Dayton and Hamilton-Mason roads. The 9.4-acre parcel already holds a bank and pharmacy. The new building is expected to open by the end of the year.

        The West Chester Zoning Commission approved final plans for the development at a meeting Monday evening.

        A sign that will be 144 feet wide and 20 feet high also was permitted to help attract customers to the building. The area is already dotted with similar signs, a Kroger plaza, convenience store-service stations and fast-food restaurants.

        “Signage is so critical,” developer Mark Sennet told the commission. “I am in competition with Liberty Township. To a potential tenant, it makes all the difference in the world.”

        A physician already has signed a lease to occupy the brick building. Other tenants — including perhaps an accountant, dentist, deli/bakery and a real-estate agent — may follow, Mr. Sennet said.

        In other business, final plans on two developments were delayed until the commission's next meeting May 20 so developers could provide more details about the projects:

        • Life Success Seminars Inc. is relocating from Blue Ash to the Princeton Crossing development along Ohio 747 and Port Union Rialto Road. The nonprofit agency puts on executive and mainstream motivational seminars and also provides volunteers for community improvements projects. It wants to build a 13,000-square-foot building with office space and five conference rooms that convert to two larger rooms. Now, the agency holds its seminars at local hotels and retreat centers, but wants a home base.

        • West Chester Circle, a 75,000- to 80,000-square-foot storage facility and 28,300-square-foot reception/banquet center on the northeast corner of Ohio 747 and Smith Road. The banquet center will be similar to the Manor House Banquet and Conference Center in Mason, developer Raymond Schneider said.

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