Unchecked land development will ruin Hamilton County, the Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District said Wednesday.

Greg Harris (left), a Democrat who is running against Republican Rep. Steve Chabot, looks on as Bob Schilling of Green Township holds an aerial photo of construction backing up to his property. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        Greg Harris, who is challenging Republican Rep. Steve Chabot, dramatized his concerns by visiting a Green Township neighborhood where hillsides have been stripped to make way for a new shopping center at Harrison Avenue and Rybolt Road.

        He was at the home of a retiree who moved to Eagles Nest Ridge six years ago for his piece of “paradise.”

        “Developers quickly transformed that paradise into paradise lost,” said Mr. Harris, 31, of Clifton.

        Mr. Harris favors legislation that would give local governments incentives to balance the interests of developers with those of citizens. He said land is being developed in Greater Cincinnati at a rate five times faster than its population is growing. Uncontrolled land development requires more expensive infrastructure and hurts the neighborhoods left behind, he said.

        He expects to make issues related to urban sprawl a key part of his nascent congressional campaign. Drawn late into the election because no other Democrats wanted to challenge the four-term congressman from Westwood, Mr. Harris has no campaign headquarters, staff or money. Mr. Chabot has $438,150 in the bank.

        “It's redefining a shoestring budget,” Mr. Harris said of his candidacy.

        Mr. Harris said he entered the race because voters deserved better.

        “I can't stand the idea — and this sounds hokey — of people not having democratic choice,” he said.

        Mr. Harris, who grew up in Illinois and has a doctorate from Miami University, will go on unpaid leave from his job as executive director of the local Citizens for Civic Renewal. The group encourages citizen participation in government.

        The 1st District has been redrawn to cover all of western Hamilton County and part of southern Butler County.

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