By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEBANON - Warren County is considering requiring larger lots and more open space for new subdivisions built in five of its townships.

"We feel these amendments would help to maintain a rural atmosphere," Planning Director Bob Craig said Thursday in explaining his proposal to county commissioners.

Commissioners seemed to like the idea but asked him to get the Regional Planning Commission's input before they start the process of changing zoning regulations. Mr. Craig said the proposal stems from a series of planning summits last spring in which officials from across the county asked for tools to slow runaway residential growth.

The changes proposed Thursday include requiring 25 percent of planned developments to be set aside as open space.

Also, minimum lot sizes in R-1 residential zones - the most common zone - would grow from 14,000 square feet to half an acre (21,780 square feet) for areas with sewer access. Areas without sewers would require one-acre lots, up from three-fourths of an acre.

A newly created zone, R-1A, would allow the same minimum lot sizes as the former R-1 zone: 14,000 square feet with sewers and three-fourths of an acre without. However, developers would have to specifically apply for R-1A zoning; all R-1-zoned land would otherwise have to follow the new regulations.

Commissioner Mike Kilburn, who led criticism of a 390-home subdivision recently proposed by Robert C. Rhein Interests Inc. in Turtlecreek Township, said Thursday that tougher rules are needed.

"Actually, I don't think we're going far enough with it," he said. "I think we should require even larger lot sizes."

Something has to be done, Mr. Kilburn said, "to slow this craze of residential development now. I said this in a campaign two months ago and I got 70 percent of the vote, so I think people agree with me."

The county has control over zoning in the five townships that don't have their own: Turtlecreek, Union, Washington, Harlan and Franklin.

A zoning change may be initiated by the commissioners, after which the planning and zoning commissions each make recommendations. The county commissioners hold a public hearing and then make a final decision.

E-mail candrews@enquirer.com.