Tim Mara and Clare Johnson look at the shopping center development going on at Harrison Avenue, Rybolt Road and Interstate 74 in Green Township and realize they still have work to do.

        Ms. Johnson and Mr. Mara are members of Concerned Citizens for Western Hamilton County.

        Among the “smart growth” group's goals is preserving the area's hillsides. They know they are too late to save those at the Harrison-Rybolt site, but their monthly meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Miamitown Fire Station will focus on what they can do to save others.

        Mr. Mara is an attorney whose voice has been heard on several issues, most notably as an opponent of the sales tax increase that is helping pay for the Reds' and Bengals' new stadiums.

        CCWHC was formed about four years ago in response to the county's development of the Western Hamilton County Collaborative Plan for 2020, an effort to stimulate and plan for growth in the area. Its members felt they weren't being listened to.

        “In our opinion, it was wall-to-wall development,” Mr. Mara said. “It was being driven by developers. It was all designed to stimulate growth, as if there's not enough going on naturally. It doesn't need stimulation.”

        Ron Miller, executive director of Hamilton County's Regional Planning and Rural Zoning commissions, respects CCWHC's views.

        “They've been very involved in the process,” he said. “They're great participants. ... We don't always agree, but the focus of our project is bringing together divergent opinions. It's important to have their voice in our meetings.”

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