By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEBANON - The Warren County commissioners accused Deerfield Township on Tuesday of being unresponsive to residents and having a lax zoning code that doesn't protect them.

"In my opinion, this is another example of big interests from Cincinnati coming to our community and telling our residents what they have to put up with," Commissioner Mike Kilburn said after township resident Isabel Davis explained her concerns about athletic fields proposed beside her subdivision.

"To dump 600 cars next to this resident is an outrage," he said.

The commissioners noted, however, that they do not have authority over zoning in the township.

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, based in Hamilton County, has requested a conditional-use permit to build several soccer fields and practice football fields next to Simpson Creek Farms, a community of more than 100 homes.

Deerfield's Board of Zoning Appeals is expected to rule Thursday.

Ms. Davis said her free-speech rights were violated when she was not permitted to speak at the appeals board's second meeting on athletic fields. She was, however, permitted to speak at an Oct. 24 special meeting, and Assistant County Prosecutor Bruce McGary said the public-hearing process appears to have been followed.

The commissioners criticized Deerfield's use of conditional-use permits, which allow land uses beyond those that are specifically included.

Permits are given only for limited uses, such as schools, churches, government buildings and, in this case, noncommercial recreation areas, Deerfield officials said later.

"If a ball field's not a compatible use in a residential area, where would there ever be a compatible use for one?" Trustee Randy Kuvin said. "An industrial area?"

E-mail candrews@enquirer.com