By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST CHESTER TWP. - After merchants in Pisgah announced late Tuesday they have formed a coalition and an attorney spoke on their behalf, trustees delayed voting on plans to revitalize the township's oldest, decaying business strip until next year.

Officials are trying to renovate U.S. 42, the original gateway into this Butler County community, saying they want to bring new businesses and improved roads to Pisgah, which has stalled as the rest of the township booms.

But in a public hearing Tuesday on the recommended improvements to the historic two-lane highway and its abutting businesses, Cincinnati lawyer Alan H. Abes urged trustees to hold off because so many Pisgah merchants have objections and concerns. About 90 of them - or 90 percent of the Pisgah business stakeholders - have signed a petition against the proposal.

The plan suggests building access roads leading to more than one business to reduce the stop-and-go traffic that exists because of multiple entrances along the road. Merchants contend the plan will not solve traffic problems, will require landowners to share in the cost of access road construction and ultimately reduce their property values.

"To be perfectly blunt, right now I don't think that you have that strong support you say you need," Mr. Abes said, drawing applause from dozens of Pisgah landowners. "There's really no rush. We should proceed on parallel tracks. If you do that, I think you will see the support you want. If not, you won't."

Mr. Abes suggested the township hold more public meetings for all landowners and form a committee of chief stakeholders, including the Ohio Department of Transportation. ODOT maintains U.S. 42 and should be more involved because the agency eventually plans to widen the artery, which runs through Pisgah from Sharonville to Mason, to three lanes, the attorney noted.

Joe Hinson, Southeastern Butler County Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Hinson and Jose Castrejon, a consultant who has led the study for West Chester, said Tuesday a series of meetings have been held among community and business leaders and landowners in the past year to formulate the study.

While Mr. Hinson acknowledged a lack of communication with the landowners, he also said Pisgah is now considered blighted and will worsen if action isn't taken soon. Over the last 20 years, the state, county and township have spent a combined $1 million on revitalization plans that have yet to be put into use, according to West Chester Administrator Dave Gully.

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com.