By Anna Michael
Enquirer contributor
AMBERLEY VILLAGE - The 133 acres at the former Crest Hills Country Club off Ridge and Galbraith roads will remain zoned as a park and free from development, as least for the time being.
After weeks of debate, Village Council this week rejected by a 4-2 vote a rezoning request which would have changed the land to residential classifications.
According to Mayor Charles Kamine, the council's decision has left developer Hal Silverman, president of Hal Homes, with three options: Walk away from his contract with The Ridge Club, owner of the land (Kamine said the contract was contingent upon the rezoning); buy the land and bring another rezoning proposal to council; or file a lawsuit claiming that the zoning is unconstitutional.
Silverman would not elaborate on his plans. "We are evaluating our options," he said Friday, "and we will come to a decision,"
The third of three public hearings drew a crowd of nearly 300 residents to the Rockdale Temple on Wednesday night.
Before the meeting, Kamine told the crowd that he was pleased with the amount of interest the residents have shown in the land. He said he enjoyed watching the democratic process.
More than 30 residents addressed council with concerns and ideas for the land.Although the majority of the people who spoke were against the rezoning, a handful of residents had hoped for a different outcome.
"I would like (Amberley) better if we're better taken care of," five-year resident Annick Stevenson said. "I am not very optimistic. I fear a lawsuit."
Stevenson and other supporters of the rezoning cited the much-needed revenue the proposed 90-house development would bring to the village.
Other supporters of the rezoning noted that the land is privately owned and the village would have to buy it for residents to be able to use it.
After the vote, Stevenson said she was afraid of the possibility of a tax increase.
Many of those against the rezoning said publicly that they would be willing to pay higher taxes to keep the land zoned as a park.
Thirty-eight-year resident Abe Schwartz said he was pleased with the number of residents who came to reject the rezoning.
"I am happy, and I hope it sticks," Schwartz said. "There may be other moves to be made."
LOCAL SOLDIER IS HOSTAGE
Hope eases horror for community
Area's mood turns hopeful
POW status could be a good thing
•
Enquirer editorial: Prayers for Private Maupin
• Photos: A family, and a community, react
• Video coverage from WCPO 
ENQUIRER COLUMNS
Holocaust events look at prejudice
Job fits her like a tailored suit
TOP LOCAL HEADLINES
County: Pay up, or walk
E-check relief depends on area
Suit threatened over Fernald waste
Freedom Center sets debut date
Focus: uninsured
Trial over, Norwood waits
Former Springboro cop wants charges in '95 slaying dismissed
3-year-old dies of fire injuries
Norwood woman dies after being hit by van
KENTUCKY HEADLINES
Marine killed in Iraq was man of 'faith and dreams'
Stars align behind Clooney
Professor addresses Holocaust
Jail's trailer leaving soon
Tina Conner loses appeal in Patton case
EDUCATION HEADLINES
La Salle transforms gym into Caribbean island
Students dismayed at fund cut
Student charged with assault in beating on bus
Delhi kids promise to turn TV off for one week
NEIGHBORS HEADLINES
Residents seek to slow growth
Developer reassessing
Miami U. project: Appalachian music
College Hill intersection protection extended
Little League debuts today
Water tower must go
Ohio Supreme Court to convene in Batavia
LIVES REMEMBERED
Reds lose a fan, Helen Unger, 99
Sister Antonia Marie Vilt, wartime nurse
