By Kevin Aldridge
The Cincinnati Enquirer

KENNEDY HEIGHTS - Residents breathed a sigh of relief Friday when city planners rejected a proposal from a Madeira-based developer to build a drive-through pony keg at Kennedy Avenue and Montgomery Road.

More than 30 people, wearing "I Love Kennedy Heights" badges, attended a public forum hosted by the Cincinnati Planning Commission to lobby against The Beverage Cave pony keg. Neighborhood leaders argued a drive-through is not the kind of business they want to attract along that corridor.

The attorney for developer Skyy Properties presented blueprints for the business and argued why the application should be granted. Dr. William Jackson Jr., who owns the property on Montgomery Road along with his son and also operates a dental practice in Madeira, had applied for a building permit to construct the business.

Jackson declined comment Friday.

"Nobody in Kennedy Heights bears this guy any poor will," said Mary Ray, a longtime resident. "We wish he would partner with us on an alternative project.

"His vision for Kennedy Heights is a pony keg. Ours is not," she said.

City leaders have placed development restrictions on the stretch of Montgomery Road from Pleasant Ridge to Silverton to protect a comprehensive plan developed by neighborhood residents. The restrictions, called interim development control, allow city planners and neighborhood leaders to look at proposals from developers with an added level of scrutiny.

Neighborhood leaders said they envision that portion of Montgomery Road becoming an arts corridor. An arts center is set to open across the street from the site of the proposed pony keg early next year.

"I believe we are at a turning point in Kennedy Heights," said Richard Cooke, a resident and member of the Kennedy Heights Art Center board. "People are starting to take positive action in looking out for our neighborhood. We don't want to be messed around any more."

E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com