By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

TURTLECREEK TWP. - Word that Warren County might toughen its subdivision zoning by increasing lot sizes was greeted warmly Friday by many residents in this township with a long history of fighting development.

Homebuilders, on the other hand, were cool to the news.

"It's probably a pretty fair compromise," Turtlecreek Township Trustee Dan Jones said Friday of the county planning department's proposal to increase minimum lot sizes and open-space requirements for new developments.

The Residents' Association of West-Central Warren County - the group that staved off the first attempt to build a mall in Monroe - also supports the changes, President Bob Buffenbarger said.

"The roads, the area aren't ready," Mr. Buffenbarger said.

Thursday, Warren County commissioners welcomed the proposed zoning changes but decided to get the Regional Planning Commission's recommendation before pursuing them.

"I think five acres should be a minimum," said Turtlecreek Township resident Cathryn Hilker. "(Half-acre lots) to me are only less ugly."

A half-acre would be the minimum lot size in areas with sewer access, according to the proposal - up from a third of an acre now. Areas without sewers would have minimums of three-fourths of an acre, up from half an acre.

The changes would affect Turtlecreek and the four other townships without their own zoning: Union, Washington, Franklin and Harlan.

Homebuilders, however, say the proposed zoning would only make it harder to build a variety of housing - especially under $150,000.

"It kind of sends a message that unless you can afford to buy these $300,000 or $400,000 homes then you can't live here," said Dan Hendricks, a spokesman for the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati.

Lower densities don't even guarantee the slower growth Warren County is seeking, Home Builders President Terry Sievers said.

E-mail candrews@enquirer.com