By John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST CHESTER TWP. - No Union Centre Boulevard, no Interstate 75 interchange. No Rave Motion Pictures theaters. No Voice of America Park.

No, they didn't exist in 1993, when the township adopted its 20-year 2012 Vision plan.

"We have so many things here that weren't around back then that we take for granted. It's absolutely amazing," says David Gully, township administrator.

At the urging of new Trustee George Lang, the township needs about 20 residents for a committee to review and revise the 2012 plan. The process should take about six months, Gully says.

The volunteers will discover that the authors of the 1993 vision plan were, in some cases, visionary. Many of the 75 goals provided a blueprint for West Chester's accelerated development:

• A new I-75 exit north of Interstate 275 (Union Centre).

• A central business district "downtown area" (Union Centre Boulevard).

• Mandating sidewalks for all new subdivisions started after 1994.

• Constructing an outdoor amphitheater in Keehner Park.

In fact, park growth far exceeded expectations. The township has added about 700 acres with Voice of America and Beckett parks - instead of 150 acres - bringing the total park property to 1,000 acres.

Congestion - a byproduct of the township's success - also has increased more than anticipated. The Butler County Engineer's Office wants to add two lanes to the Union Centre Boulevard/I-75 interchange bridge, built only seven years ago.

Since 1990, population has increased 45 percent, to 57,417. Traffic from the estimated 50,000 people who work in the township, plus those who come here to eat or shop, has prompted the county to recommend $7.8 million in Union Center road improvements.

"The community has changed. The township is different" from 1992, says Lang, the Union Centre restaurant owner who defeated incumbent Dave Tacosik in the November elections.

"As a businessman, you're constantly updating your long-range plans, to make sure you're meeting needs of your customers," Lang says.

Some of the 1993 dreams have failed to materialize. The township still doesn't have a mass transit system or a plan to reduce automobile use; no second public library; no requirement for underground utilities in all new residential and retail areas.

Others have been slow to develop. Trustees are scheduled to decide in April on building the community and recreation center suggested in the document. The goal of an accredited community college won't be met until Miami University opens a learning center at the old Voice of America in 2006, eight years later than envisioned.

Trustees have asked Gully to present an outline for the new vision committee by Feb. 17.

"We have a lot of people interested in serving this community, and this would be an excellent opportunity for them," Gully says.

West Chester Township citizens interested in serving on the new long-range goals committee should contact one of the three trustees, or the township office at 9100 Centre Point Drive (777-5900).

E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com