By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MONROE - This small but booming city likely will expand by 140 acres of prime real estate fronting Interstate 75.

The land would come from neighboring Turtlecreek Township in Warren County.

After a lengthy debate Thursday night, Warren County Commissioners delayed releasing the 140 acres to work out service agreements over road maintenance and fire and police protection. The neighboring land is part of the Berns Nursery property.

But the annexation likely will be approved if agreements can be worked out by the commissioners' May 8 meeting.

The land, which includes property on both sides of I-75 near the Greentree Road overpass, would give Monroe additional highway frontage for corporate and light industrial development.

"It's a future piece of land that will have some light industrial use development," Monroe Mayor Mike Morris said.

The parcel will become even more valuable, Morris added, as the I-75 and Ohio 63 interchange is improved and if plans for an interchange at Greentree Road and I-75 become viable.

Turtlecreek Township officials have said they had concerns but no immediate objections if the township will gain some of the tax revenues from development and if road maintenance agreements could be worked out.

But commissioners were concerned Thursday that the original proposal included splitting road maintenance and other duties.

An informal agreement appeared likely Thursday, with Monroe taking responsibility for Greentree Road and the county retaining Union Road.

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com.