BATAVIA — Residents in Miami Township will soon have a new neighbor — a 2 million-gallon, 164-foot water tower — after Clermont County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday night to put one in a residential area on Loveland-Miamiville Road.

        The Clermont County Water and Sewer District recommended the site, at 745 Loveland-Miamiville Road next to an existing 400,000-gallon ground storage tank and a new elementary school, despite the protests of some neighbors.

        “You need it to be close enough to the demand location to provide functional service, but far enough away from the residences to avoid disrupting the neighborhood,” said Tom Yeager, director of utilities for the water and sewer district. “The nature of this is there is a high demand for water in heavy development (areas).”

        The water tower is one of nine set to go up in the county in the next 15 years to keep up with growth in the last 10 years. The towers help increase water pressure, enhance fire protection and provide storage during peak demand times.

        The county will buy the site for $46,000; and the project, which is expected to cost roughly $2.5 million, now goes to the architect for design. Construction is to be completed within two years. Mr. Yeager said he hopes parts of the construction will coincide with construction of a new school on the site.

        Several nearby residents attended the meeting to oppose the tower and raise concerns about whether it will be lighted or have antennas or cell towers on it.

        Mr. Yeager said there are no plans to have either on the tower.

        But that didn't help Tom Adkins feel better about the tower going up near his North Shadow Hill Way property.

        “I feel there could be some other way to do this,” he said. “Would you like a 164-foot tower sitting in your back yard?”

        Commissioner Martha Dorsey said she understood the residents' concerns, but felt the tower was important to the greater good of the county and was the best option.

        “You have to have fire protection. You have to have water service,” Commissioner Mary Walker said. “To me, the good outweighs the bad in this situation.”"I feel there could be some other way to do this. Would you like a 164-foot tower sitting in your back yard?'

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