LIBERTY TWP. — Trustees are expected to vote soon whether to redirect tax revenues over the next 30 years from new businesses planned at Ohio 747 and Princeton Road to pay for such improvements as a new firehouse.

        The estimated $1.5 million to $1.7 million firehouse, the township's third, would lie just south of the intersection and north of the Butler County Regional Highway on the east side of Ohio 747.

        “A new firehouse in that area was needed about three years ago,” Fire Chief Paul Stumpf said.

        There will be a 7 p.m. public hearing on the new tax-increment financing (TIF) district at the July 15 trustee meeting.

        A figure has yet to be released on projected tax revenue from that area over the next 30 years.

        Between 1990 and 2000, Liberty township's population skyrocketed by 147 percent and now stands at 25,000. Each year, calls for service to the township's fire department jump about 25 percent, Chief Stumpf said. Last year, the department made 1,662 runs, compared with 1,447 in 2000.

        The businesses slated for Ohio 747 and Princeton Road were almost blocked by residents.

        A referendum to overturn the zoning for the businesses was scheduled for the May primary ballot. After the developers protested the referendum's legality, the Ohio Secretary of State's Office scrapped it on technicalities.

        Developer Carlos Todd is building a strip shopping center on three acres at the southwest corner of the intersection. Mark Sennet envisions a United Dairy Farmers store with gas pumps and a fast-food restaurant, office building and strip shopping center on 10 acres at the northeast corner.

        In other township developments:

        • Voters in November likely will be asked to approve a five-year, 3-mill levy for fire department operating costs. It is a replacement levy last passed in 1997. Trustees will vote soon to place the measure on the ballot.

        • A new zoning position may be created to help leaders keep pace with a housing construction boom. A zoning administrator could earn between $50,000 and $60,000.

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