By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON TWP. - Township officials said they are getting ready to put the pressure on four developers who have ignored requests to pay about $162,000 in impact fees to Little Miami Schools.

Since the township sent out certified letters six weeks ago, several developers have either paid or agreed to pay their shares of nearly $270,000 in total fees, Zoning Administrator Gary Boeres said.

Township trustees are expected to consider action today that will hold up the recording of signature plats for the developers who haven't paid. That means they will be barred from starting on future phases of their projects until they do.

Boeres said four developers representing six projects haven't responded to the township's request to pay the growth fees they promised in order to secure zoning.

According to township records, the developers are:

• Don Carter, who owes Little Miami $40,750 on three projects.

• Gallenstein Bros. Inc., which owes $57,500 for Indian Lake off U.S. 22/Ohio 3.

• In-Line Development, which owes $55,000 on Michel's Farm on Ohio 48.

• JPS Development, which owes $8,250 on its Saddlebrook subdivision.

Boeres said township officials were unable to reach yet another developer who owes $25,000 on the Foster's Run project because the company's business agent recently died. Boeres said he is recontacting the developer.

Jerome Cain, controller for Gallenstein Bros., said his company wants to work things out with the township and school district. "We don't disagree that (the zoning agreement) says the developer is responsible for it. But there are some questions," he said.

An Enquirer analysis in May showed that 14 developers, some of them building the largest projects in this southern Warren County township, had failed to pay growth fees meant to ease costs associated with the influx of new students.

The fees, which have traditionally run $250 per housing unit, have been charged to developers since at least 1996 to secure zoning from the township.

Trustees previously relied on an honor system for sending payments, but changed their procedures in May to include refusing approval of future projects.

E-mail smclaughlin@enquirer.com