LOVELAND — Concerns about how developers want to convert a historic house and 85 acres into homes and commercial buildings are weighing on council members' minds.

        On Monday they will decide which developer will purchase the White Pillars property along Ohio 48 from the city. At public hearings, at least 30 Loveland and Miami Township residents have criticized the developers' emphasis on commercial use.

        “You have one of the biggest chunks of history there. It's a beautiful piece of property that could be used for recreation, education (and) community events,” said Paul Elliott, who helped stop construction of a YMCA in Phillips Park.

        Council members promise to address concerns with developers. But they recently approved a plan labeling the preferred use commercial.

        “The concerns are very valid. But I'm weighing that with what are the overall needs of the community,” council member Robert Weisgerber said.

        The city bought the land six years ago for about $2.7 million. Officials thought the propertywould be good for commercial development.

        But the idea never went farther, and the city still owes $2.3 million on the land. Earlier this year, city officials told developers they could buy the land if they promised to preserve the two-century-old house and build a commercial development as well as single- and multifamily dwellings.

        Seven developers submitted proposals. The three finalists proposed using at least 16 acres for commercial purposes.

        Al Neyer Inc. proposed a 25-acre commercial development. The team of Towne Properties and Cincinnati United Contractors Inc. and the team of Hines-Griffin Joint Venture and Parrott & Strawser proposed 16-acre commercial developments.

        All have proposed building homes and townhomes valued at about $300,000 and $200,000, respectively. City property tax revenues generated would exceed $249,000.

        “It would be our hope that the city would take into consideration the needs of the community and develop (White Pillars) appropriately,” said Bob Rutter, a Miami Township resident who lives in a subdivision adjacent to White Pillars. “They're so focused on tax revenue. If you don't understand anything else about this issue, that's all you need to know.”

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