By Perry Schaible
Enquirer contributor

AMBERLEY VILLAGE - This Hamilton County village has rolled out a big gun in the battle against development of the former Crest Hills Country Club land.

Attorney Stanley Chesley will represent Amberley Village for free in a suit filed against the village last week in Hamilton County.

"I've been a resident of the village for 32 years, it's my home," Chesley said Thursday. "I feel the village is a wonderful place to live and raise children."

He said the community's economic situation doesn't allow it to hire a high-priced attorney.

Village officials retained Chesley as lead counsel Wednesday during a special meeting.

The suit, filed by the Ridge Club, owner of the former Crest Hills Country Club, seeks to force the village to either buy the 133-acre site or change its zoning to allow housing to be built.

"We have to file an answer to the lawsuit, and we'll do that in the next two weeks," said Mayor Charles Kamine.

Council twice turned down a request made by Hal Homes for a zone change that would have allowed the company to build 90 homes on the site.

The village will be responsible for all expenses related to the case, Kamine said.

Amberley Village is also represented by Scott Phillips of Frost Brown Todd, an expert in zoning matters.