By Perry Schaible
Enquirer contributor

MONTGOMERY - Plans for a proposed Joseph Chevrolet dealership in this northeastern Hamilton County city have improved, but aren't acceptable yet.

That was the message the city's planning commission gave to the Joseph Auto Group this week.

"There're a lot of small details and some of them, even though they're small, could have a significant impact that we need to review," said Frank Davis, Montgomery community development director, after reviewing a revised site plan submitted by the group.

The proposal would consolidate two of the five Joseph-owned dealerships in Montgomery. Joseph's Montgomery Chevrolet would be moved from the Heritage District down Montgomery Road to replace the Joseph Auto Outlet, a used-car facility.

Issues raised by several residents who live near the development have delayed the project, initially submitted in 2002, which has gone through half a dozen revisions.

C. Francis Barrett, a Cincinnati lawyer representing the Joseph Auto Group, presented the revised plan.

The proposal, which includes several resident-driven changes, calls for an approximately 33,000-square-foot brick and stone building.

Major changes include closing the east side of the building to prevent noise from reaching residential areas, a reduction in the height of the building and heavy landscaping.

"I think what you've seen and will see is evolution that will bring to you a design that we can all be proud of," Barrett said. "We feel this will be the absolute trendsetter not only in the area, but in Greater Cincinnati as a whole."

Members of the planning commission said they were still concerned about noise, traffic, hours of operation and water run-off. .

Long-time resident Mary Lou Rose said that although the appearance of the building was improved, she would like to see it blend better with Montgomery's architectural style.

"It's the massiveness and the scale of these two buildings that changes ... the whole skyline of the road and that is a concern," she said referring to the proposed development and an Audi dealership under construction.

The next meeting of the planning commission is at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20.