By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEBANON - A request Tuesday before the Warren County Commission from Springboro city officials to connect Springboro's water lines through territory controlled by the county exploded into another debate over rapid home development.

Commissioner Mike Kilburn questioned why a proposed new subdivision in Clearcreek Township that would be served by the city's and county's lines was approved almost three years ago. Springboro only has sewer access to serve 156 lots, not the 194 the developer wants.

In 2000, the Warren County Regional Planning Commission approved The Greens in Clearcreek Township on 78 acres along Bunnell Hill Road. The approval, however, came with several conditions, including sewer access from Springboro, according to records.

But Mr. Kilburn said the preliminary plat, or layout, should have specifically stipulated the subdivision couldn't hold more than 156 lots before it was approved.

The commission agreed to the water line request Tuesday after County Sanitary Engineer Dick Renneker and Springboro City Manager Chris Thompson explained the developer would pay whatever is needed to upgrade the sewer system to accommodate the additional flow for 194 homes.

Ms. Thompson also noted the city wants the loop to improve water service, not just to have the ability to serve existing customers.

The city's portion of the water lines would serve 29 of the lots and the county would serve the rest, Mr. Renneker said. He told the commission it would be wiser to have a single water line through the area and let Springboro serve the 29 lots.

The subdivision hasn't been built yet. The developer, Fred Poley of Hollywood, Fla., removed the top 2 feet of soil at the site, county and city officials said.

The property used to hold the Miami Valley Skeet Club, a recreational shooting range, county records show. Lead from the shot that fell into the soil had to be removed to ensure high lead concentrations weren't on the land.

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com