By John Kiesewetter
Enquirer staff writer

A dip in Princeton Road east of Ohio 747 will be eliminated this summer when developers complete an entrance to the Reserves of Liberty subdivision in Liberty Township.

Developer Bob Hutsenpiller is expected to connect Princeton Road this summer to Alana Place, the north entry to the subdivision, said Derek Conklin, Butler County administrator. Hutsenpiller agreed to raise Princeton Road about 6 feet for safety reasons when the development was approved, said Eric Pottenger, development services manager for the Butler County Engineer's Office.

Fifty-three homes are planned for the 36-acre, T-shaped subdivision next to the new Liberty Township firehouse on Ohio 747.

Commissioners are expected to accept the platted streets Thursday, Conklin said. They balked at signing the plat Monday, after Commissioner Michael A. Fox had questions about why Hutsenpiller had not started work on the Princeton Road connection.

The county is now satisfied that a $240,000 bond provided by Hutsenpiller on June 17 would cover construction costs, Conklin said.

Fox also expressed concerns about Hutsenpiller's willingness to sign a Joint Economic Development District agreement with Liberty Township for land near the proposed Liberty interchange, which would connect Interstate 75 and Ohio 129 to Hamilton-Mason Road. Hutsenpiller could not be reached for comment.

Fox said he was worried that the township has been unable to create the district with land owners and the cities of Hamilton and Mason. Under the proposal, businesses in the area would pay an earnings tax collected by Hamilton, which would fund the Liberty interchange construction.

Because of Fox's concerns, commissioners Monday tabled a $1.5 million reimbursement to the township for Liberty interchange engineering expenses. Conklin said later that commissioners are pleased with the township's progress on creating the district.

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E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com