May 15, 200718 yr Well, I just looked at the site plan for NP and I guess that is the spot, but I don't know why they would be clearing land south of Carothers St. as well.
May 15, 200718 yr Author South of Carothers....yeah, I don't know then. I thought the project stopped at Carothers.
May 15, 200718 yr I heard on the radio this morning that they were adding a second exit lane off 471 near the Newport Acquarium area. I don't know if this is what you are seeing? Maybe i got it wrong since I don't know the area as well as you guys do.
May 15, 200718 yr Author From the 5/15/07 Kentucky Post: Critics assail Ky. 17 study By Luke E. Saladin Post staff reporter Independence officials hope by this summer to put the finishing touches on a new study they say will help guide future growth in Independence along Ky. 17. The "small area study," as planners refer to it, is drawing opposition, however, from property owners along the corridor who feel that the city is trying to control what they do with their property. Some are worried the city might try to take their property to implement portions of the plan, which makes recommendations ranging from walking trails to facade improvements. City officials say the plan is meant only to enhance development and adamantly deny that property owners will be forced to do anything against their will. On Monday, an advisory committee appointed to help guide the plan met to discuss potential regulations. Some property owners came to speak out against the proposal. MORE: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070515/NEWS02/705150358/1014 Bridgetown: Kildare Estates Building Cincinnati Image from the Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati Kildare Estates is getting going over in Bridgetown. Holtman Stephenson Custom Homes is building the 32-lot subdivision just off of South Rd, between South and Kildare. The homes, which start at $460,000, are being sold through Cagney, Weisker & Associates Realtors. Two are currently listed. Nothing spectacular. Site plan from the Cagney, Weisker & Associates Realtors website Website WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW GOOGLE AERIAL MAP http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/05/bridgetown-kildare-estates.html Medical office, residents make peace over parking lot Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/15/07 The referendum seeking to reverse Sycamore Township's zoning decision that would allow a 10-space parking lot to be built for a planned medical development on Kugler Mill Road will not appear on the November ballot. The Hamilton County Board of Elections voted not to allow the issue on the ballot after supporters of the referendum said they had reached an agreement with the property's developer. Some residents who live near the site, on Kugler Mill near Montgomery Road, opposed the parking lot because they thought it represented encroachment of commercial development into a residential neighborhood. Ohio Valley Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, which plans to build the medical development and the parking lot, objected to the validity of the referendum petitions. The dispute evaporated when Ohio Valley recently agreed to stipulate that both right and left turns will be allowed from the parking lot onto Kugler Mill. 2nd Ward hears park plans Middletown Journal, 5/15/07 About a dozen residents who attended Monday's meeting of the Second Ward Community Council seemed receptive to proposed plans to renovate Douglass Park. However, the council could not take an endorsement vote on the proposed plan to renovate the city's second-largest park because it didn't have a quorum. While she said she thought the proposed "plans were great," Carol Flowers said the city needs to respect what the community wanted — to reopen the pool and not have a splash pad — which they previously had communicated to city officials. "I'm just here to remind you what the people said they wanted," she said. Plans include an all-accessible playground, an amphitheater, renovated basketball and tennis courts and re-engineered football, baseball and soccer fields. Veterans cemetery readied Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/14/07 Every day is Memorial Day for Al Duncan, director of the under-construction Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North, visible just west of Interstate 75 in Grant County. Duncan retired from the Army in November. "After 23 years of being in the military, my service was up, but this is a way for me to give back to the veterans here in the state of Kentucky - the ones that have gone before me, and the ones that are going to go after me," Duncan said. The 99-acre cemetery, 40 miles south of downtown Cincinnati, also may be popular with veterans from southwest Ohio and southeast Indiana, because the nearest existing national cemetery is in Dayton, Ohio. Kentucky does not require that veterans or their spouses have been Kentucky residents to be buried there. Duncan was a combat engineer who worked with explosives and demolitions and who later taught an ROTC program at the University of Kentucky. He now is guiding construction of the future hallowed ground. The cemetery's first phase, which will accept remains of about 4,500 veterans and their spouses, is expected to fill in 15 years. Two later phases of roughly equal sizes are expected to reach capacity in 10 years each.
May 18, 200718 yr Author When will City Council consider a rezoning for The Yards? Building Cincinnati When will City Council consider a rezoning for The Yards? The Vandercar Holdings project, in the Riverside and Sedamsville area on what is known as the Conrail site, was panned by the City Planning Commission on March 16, 2007 for not conforming to the existing Land Use Plan and for lacking a corresponding fiscal impact analysis. It was scheduled to be heard in front of the Economic Development Committee on April 24. That is normally followed by a City Council vote, usually the very next day. So far it hasn't made the Council agenda. The concept plan In September 2005, Vandercar Holdings owner Rob Smyjunas announced plans for a 60-acre power center, containing five big-box tenants, to be built on long-vacant land between River Road and Southside Avenue. The $60 million-$80 million project drew comparisons to Vandercar's Center of Cincinnati project in Oakley. When the formal development agreement for The Yards was filed with City Council in June 2006, the project changed slightly to four large buildings and "a few" smaller ones, including restaurants and a bank. The total square footage was estimated to be about 600,000 square feet. The proposal also called for the creation of a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district and a sale by the City of Cincinnati to Vandercar of an adjacent 22 acre parcel ($1.8 million). In July 2006, the City Planning Commission recommended that City Council should not accept the concept plan offered in the development agreement. However, swayed by support from the Riverside and Sedamsville community councils and the Price Hill Civic Club, City Council passed an ordinance to enter into a contract of sale with Vandercar for the acreage. PUDs and TIFs The passing of the ordinance left Vandercar to seek a zoning change to line up the TIF money. The acreage in question is already part of a City-created TIF district, TIF District 14 (MAP). Vandercar wants to separate the project site from the existing TIF district and designate it as PD 48 (Planned Unit Development). PD status, which would change the current zoning from single-family and manufacturing uses, would allow the developer to direct TIF monies specifically from its project into raising the site out of the 100-year flood plain, building a retaining wall along River Road, installing sewers and improving the intersection of River Road and Fairbanks Avenue. "We have enough manufacturing"* The plans for the project have changed since they were first announced. Vandercar now proposes a development that is more mixed-use and would have up to 22 buildings, including a large retail store, an office building or hotel (multi-story, 40K-120K sq ft), a multi-screen cinema and numerous smaller commercial stores. It would total up to 985,000 square feet of retail and 120,000 square feet of office space on what is now 74 acres. Most of the 6.5 acres of planned open space would be along the River Road frontage. What a "yes" vote means A City Council "yes" vote on the PD zoning change would accept this concept plan. Vandercar would then be required to submit a more thorough final development plan to the City Planning Commission, which has not been to kind to them thus far. A City Council approval of a final development plan by this summer could mean completion in the 3rd quarter of 2009. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW GOOGLE AERIAL MAP * Partial quote from Doug Kohls, Sedamsville Community Council, regarding the City Planning Commission's vote. "Complex Denied Zoning Change", 3/17/07 Cincinnati Enquirer.
May 18, 200718 yr I don't know the politics between these groups but I do believe this would help stimulate an area that is stagnant in many different areas!
May 20, 200718 yr Proposed retail meets opposition BY JANE PRENDERGAST | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER May 20, 2007 RIVERSIDE – If you live here, your one neighborhood retail option is the United Dairy Farmers store. Things aren’t any better, shopping-wise, next door in Sedamsville, where there’s a Speedway store. But that’s it for any kind of shopping in these two neighborhoods that stretch out of downtown along the Ohio River to the Anderson Ferry. They’re old, west-side places recognized mostly for the barge terminals and silos along River Road rather than as home to about 2,000 Cincinnatians and a ball field where Pete Rose played as a kid. "Most people don’t even recognize that there is a residential component to our neighborhood," said Kim Gilday-Weber, president of the Riverside Civic and Welfare Club. "We think it’s time to shed a little light on this forgotten side of the city."
May 21, 200718 yr Hello! I made a post in the wrong forum. I have moved my post to the OTR forum. I don't know how to delete posts yet I apologize for wasting your time. :wave:
May 21, 200718 yr ^Heh. Thought you were "The Pope" another poster on this forum. Your names are very similar. This'll be confusing.
May 21, 200718 yr you should have an avatar that is a picture of The Pope with a big red X through it that way we know you either are not The Pope or that you are a Lutheran.
May 21, 200718 yr Author From the 5/20/07 Enquirer: Open house focuses on zoning THE ENQUIRER TAYLOR MILL - Residents and business owners can offer comment on new downtown zoning districts and amendments to the city's zoning ordinance at an open house 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Monday at the city building, 5225 Taylor Mill Road. This is the first chance to discuss proposed text and map changes including new downtown zoning districts and other design and landscaping standards. The new downtown zoning districts reflect a land-use study adopted by the city in 2006. The new downtown districts will include a new "Main Street'' area that will accommodate a mix of business, retail and entertainment uses. The revisions also will include landscaping and design standards. Public meetings will be held throughout the process, including city commission and Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission meetings, with dates to be announced. The proposed zoning amendments could be adopted in July. MORE: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070520/NEWS0103/705200396 Eastern Local breaks ground Georgetown News Democrat, 5/20/07 Eastern Local School District turned over the ceremonious first shovels of dirt on a $35 million endeavor Monday, May 14, at the future site of the new high school. Superintendent Alan Simmons, the Eastern Band and the entire Junior/Senior High School student body attended the ground breaking program that officially begins a project that, when completed, will leave the district with a brand new high school, a new Sardinia Elementary and significant renovations to Russellville Elementary and the current high school, which will be converted for middle school students. Simmons said the project is the result of a combined effort. "The student body helped. The faculty helped. The parents and the community helped," said Simmons. Using class rings as an analogy, Simmons encouraged the attending student body to enjoy and benefit from the work of those who have come before them, and to continue the cycle by contributing to the community and the school that serves it. Sherwood zoning issue remains unresolved Hillsboro Times-Gazette, 5/16/07 Residents who reside in the area of Sherwood Drive may have to wait another month to see if eight acres of land adjacent to their properties will be rezoned to accommodate the construction of condominiums. During the regular session of the Hillsboro City Council Monday evening, approximately 30 residents turned out to voice their support of keeping the zoning of the area the same. Representatives of the property owner said his rights were potentially being violated if the city does not vote for the change. Greg Vanzant, attorney for property owner John Dragoo, appealed to council to reconsider the change. "I am here speaking on behalf of my client, who has rights," Vanzant said. Vanzant said that during the April 17 meeting of the Hillsboro Planning Commission, "little or no discussion" took place among the commission members as to the zoning change. Vanzant said he believes it was because of the number of residents who turned out against the change of zoning for the area, known as the Hauke/Dragoo property. Princeton gauges bond-issue mood Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/16/07 After building seven new grade schools and renovating an eighth, Princeton City Schools this week is trying to predict whether the public is ready for a new bond issue, this time to build a high school and a middle school. A recent survey of 400 "likely voters" in the district revealed no clear majority in favor of starting a new school project, and no clear majority against it. The survey revealed 46 percent would likely support new secondary buildings, while 39 percent would be against it. 'We do take these things seriously' Northeast Suburban Life, 5/15/07 David Skopin is giving up hope that city council will halt plans for a debated roadway. "It's going to happen - exactly the way it was supposed to happen," said Skopin, who lives on Forestglen Drive. He protests plans for a private roadway across his street. Council votes on an easement (a city-owned land submission) June 6. It read an ordinance regarding the easement May 2. Twin Lakes, a senior-living organization, needs the land, located at the southwestern end of the Montgomery Safety Center, to build the roadway. Evendale seeks feedback for Master Plan Tri-County Press, 5/15/07 Evendale is drafting a Comprehensive Master Plan to guide development for the next few decades and is looking to residents and businesses for input. Surveys are being mailed asking community members their opinion on a variety issues, including quality of life, community improvements, industry, senior living options, a town center at Glendale-Milford and Reading roads and other matters. From his perspective, Assistant to the Mayor Jack Cameron said that one of the major factors in the village's planning must be a company associated with Evendale for so long - General Electric Aviation. "One of the things we're focusing on is diversifying our tax base in case they have a downturn," he said in reference to the jet engine manufacturer. Other goals of the plan, Cameron said, include developing the Reading Road corridor and taking steps to draw higher-end consumers to the village.
May 22, 200718 yr Author From the 5/22/07 Kentucky Post: Fort Thomas reviews project plans By Joseph Szydlowski Post staff reporter Four consultants presented their estimated $4.6 million dollar streetscape plan for Fort Thomas' Midway District to city council Monday, a project that would create more parking and a square honoring the city's namesake. Backers said the plan should tie into any future efforts to establish a National Historic District that focuses on the former military compound from which the city sprung. The Midway District - defined as South Fort Thomas Avenue between Green Street and Grandview Avenue - grew up as a commercial area to serve the fort. "We had to get our mind around what's in the Midway District," said Jim Warner, one of the consultants. "We had a team physically measuring parking spaces." The lack of parking spaces was one of the design team's focuses because, Warner said, it hurts businesses. It proposed a new city square, which would have plentiful parking spaces and several statues, including one of George H. Thomas, the general for whom the fort and town is named. MORE: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070522/NEWS02/705220365/1014/NEWS02 Carroll asks for new funds to re-design failed YMCA Loveland Magazine, 5/21/07 Loveland City Manager, Tom Carroll has recommended that City Council proceed with the re-design of the failed YMCA. In a memo dated May 15, Carroll recommends that Council allow him to use “contingency funds in the Income Tax Fund or some other source of funding for these additional services.” At the last council meeting, which happened to fall on same day that voters went to the polls and defeated a increase in the income tax to build a YMCA in Loveland, and before votes were counted; Council hired Champlin/Haupt Architects to design the facility. Now Carroll wants Council to spend additional money with the firm to “assist the City in any design charettes, facilitated sessions, and conceptional redesigns for the recreation center.” Carroll explained in the memo that the City does not have funds in the 2007 Budget for additional services. The memo also lays out a path Carroll suggests will lead to putting the issue before the voters again in November. UC completes another Habitat home News Record, 5/21/07 Volunteers, friends, neighbors and one very special family gathered this past Saturday to celebrate the completion of a new home in Avondale. After a year of waiting and working, the Muianga family is now able to enjoy a brand new home thanks to funding from the University of Cincinnati, Habitat for Humanity, Messer Construction, Fifth Third Bank and a number of volunteers. "Before you know it, a neighborhood will be transformed," said Tom Salzburn, executive director for the Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity. "We're here today to celebrate with the Muiangas as they become one step closer to home ownership. Our hope is to impact not only their family, but the community. We build houses, but we also build families and communities." Construction on the home began in early September when a group of first-year UC Honors Scholars started work at the site two weeks before the Fall Quarter got underway as part of their service-learning English class. They continued work throughout the school year with UC student volunteers, spending Saturdays working at the site with the new homeowners.
May 23, 200718 yr Author Westwood: CiTiRAMA 2007 at Brodbeck Park Building Cincinnati In March, Brodbeck Park Phase Two was named as the site of CiTiRAMA 2007, to be held October 6-14. Since then, the City Planning Commission has approved a finalized Plat of Subdivision for Glaser and Son's 26-lot project. Two new streets, Deercove Court and an extension of Foxcove Court, have been dedicated. All utility easements have been finalized as well. Twenty-five of the lots will feature single-family homes on lots of over 5,000 square feet. The twenty-sixth lot will be a 5-acre greenbelt on a sloping hillside, adjacent to Brodbeck Nature Preserve and the Pine Grove subdivision (Millennium Place). No price points have been established, but homes in Phase One sold for between $135,000 and $210,000. Brodbeck Park is located on the northern side of Westwood Northern Blvd between its intersections with Gobel and Ferncroft. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW GOOGLE AERIAL MAP Plat of subdivision - Phase Two at left Blechhh: Example of home built in Phase One of Brodbeck Park Another one from Phase One, slightly less horrible http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/05/westwood-citirama-2007-at-brodbeck-park.html From the 5/17/07 Tri-County Press: Developers interested in Princeton property BY ANDREA REEVES | [email protected] SHARONVILLE - Fischer Homes and Hills Communities have placed bids to buy the Robert E. Lucas school property in Sharonville, owned by the Princeton City School District. Fischer has offered $3.2 million for the property and Hills has offered $3.01 million, according to Princeton's attorney John Hust at the May 17 special board meeting. The board voted to give administration the right to negotiate final prices with both prospective buyers at the meeting. Both developers have agreed to allow the district to continue using the property through the end of August 2008 regardless of when closing actually takes place, Hust said. Board member Sandy Leach said she's concerned about what kind of development would be built on the property. "When you look at the dollar figure, that may be the best deal, but depending on what they're putting in there it may depend on the income that comes to us later as to what may be more beneficial," she said. Fischer has plans for condos, villa homes and town homes for the property. Hills wants to build a combination of residential structures. The next step is to sit down with the two developers about how the property should be used after district officials meet with Sharonville Mayor Virgil Lovitt, said Princeton Superintendent Aaron Mackey. Lincoln Heights sold The old Lincoln Heights Elementary building is being sold to Volunteers of America for $810,000. - The Princeton City School District board voted May 17 to sell the property. - But the district may have to pay the cost for any environmental cleanup the property needs, which could be as much as $250,000 to $300,000. - Exactly what would need cleaned up won't be known until an environmental report is in the hands of district officials June 25. - The board voted to place a $400,000 cap on environmental cleanup work. - Volunteers of America plans to turn the building into a 45-unit apartment building. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070517/NEWS01/705170432/1089/Local New emergency facilities in Terrace Park Eastern Hills Journal, 5/23/07 Terrace Park's Emergency Services will celebrate the grand opening of its new facility on Wooster Pike with a barbeque and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, May 28, Memorial Day. Terrace Park voters approved an emergency services levy in 2005 that provided funding to build the structure and the interior furnishings, equipment and communications have been funded through donations and fundraising efforts of the Terrace Park Emergency Services staff. "This building takes us into the 21st century," said Jeff Gibson, president of the Terrace Park Emergency Services Department. "It has up-to-date storage for all of our apparatus and all the latest safety mechanisms. It will also allow for enhanced training opportunities." Terrace Park is the last community in Hamilton County to rely solely on a volunteer emergency services department. According to Gibson, the department has 60 volunteers, with the lion's share coming from the community itself. "We have no reason to anticipate any change in that in the near future. The village keeps attracting younger residents," Gibson said.
May 24, 200718 yr Here is a pic of the finished Fort View steps (in Mt. Adams from Hill St. to Fort View). It was a massive reconstruction, all done by hand. I wish I had a before picture, because the difference is night and day. The steps were crooked, sloped, too long, too short. The handrails were too close and too far, and the retaining walls had crumbled in many places, plus the vegetation was way overgrown. I hope the rest of the steps in the City get this treatment.
May 24, 200718 yr Author Forest Park: Kmart redevelopment Building Cincinnati The City of Forest Park on Monday night passed an annexation ordinance allowing for the redevelopment of the long-vacant Kmart property to proceed. The ordinance, which passed 5-0, allows the city to annex a portion of an adjacent shopping center which is in Springfield Township. By law, the city may annex property that it owns if it abuts Forest Park's borders. The city purchased the Hamilton Avenue Kmart shell and its surrounding eight acres in November 2006 for $806,000. Recently, they purchased an adjacent four-acre shopping center to the south for $725,000. However, redevelopment of the combined sites has been problematic. Developer interest in the area has been low for years, as evidenced by the closing of the nearby Thriftway store, the Blockbuster Video and numerous restaurants. Several stores are vacant or are home to marginal businesses. And there are jurisdictional issues. The Kmart property is entirely within the corporate limits of the city, as is most of the shopping center. A small part of the shopping center is in Springfield Township. The justification for the annexation is that Forest Park wants to market the combined site to developers and would prefer for the development to be done under one set of rules and regulations instead of two. City officials see this site as an opportunity for a gateway project that will help spur other redevelopment of the Hamilton Avenue corridor. Ideas have even been floated about combining the Kmart property with the Thriftway property (across Waycross Road) for an even more massive project. Funding for the infrastructure and site improvements would come from the creation of a TIF district. Currently, there is no timetable for a decision. The city is currently working on a comprehensive plan for the site. In the April 18, 2007 Hilltop Press, City Manager Ray Hodges mentioned that we might see the demolition of the Kmart building in September. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW (looking east) GOOGLE AERIAL MAP http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/05/forest-park-kmart-redevelopment.html From the West Union People's Defender, 5/23/07: PHOTO: Pictured is the front entrance of the $27 million Adams County Regional Medical Center in Seaman. The hospital is expected to host its grand opening on July 29. Adams County Hospital nears completion Nearly two years ago, ground was broken for a $27 million replacement hospital for Adams County. On July 29, exactly two years from the date of the ground-breaking, Adams County Regional Medical Center will hold its grand opening. "I truly believe the new medical center will be something the entire community will be proud of for years to come," said Linda Niles, Chief Executive Officer at Adams County Hospital. Linda Niles, Chief Executive Officer at Adams County Hospital. "We envision this entire area as becoming a comprehensive health care campus." The new facility is a 50-bed hospital with all private rooms. Of these 50 beds, 25 will serve as in-patient medical-surgical beds, and 25 beds will be designated for outpatient services and observation, sleep studies lab and a five-room hospice suite. The emergency department will be twice the current size with 14 private patient rooms for the delivery of care. In addition to new services offered at the new facility, the imaging department, laboratory, outpatient specialty clinic and surgical department have been significantly enlarged to meet the increasing demands for out-patient services. MORE: http://www.peoplesdefender.com/main.asp?SectionID=13&SubSectionID=83&ArticleID=125159&TM=44925.35 City wants house demolished Tri-County Press, 5/22/07 Wyoming Architectural Review Board chairman Gene Allison and Jenni McCauley, co-chair of the city's Historic Preservation Commission, recommended at Wyoming's May 21 council meeting that council deny the city's application to demolish a house at 517 and 519 Oak Avenue. Allison and McCauley said that the house, located within the city's historic district, is historically significant. City Manager Bob Harrison said the land, which has been in discussion by the city for more than 20 years, is a very important piece of the redevelopment of the "fragile business district." The city, which bought the house for $80,000, wants to tear it down to make way for a parking lot and an extension of neighboring city greenspace.
May 26, 200718 yr Author From the 5/25/07 Alexandria Recorder: Annexation process takes next step BY CHRIS MAYHEW | [email protected] ALEXANDRIA - The 450-unit housing development planned off Gilbert Ridge and Tollgate roads in unincorporated Campbell County is being considered for annexation by the City of Alexandria. The next step, a public hearing to help the city's Planning and Zoning Commission determine what zoning would be appropriate for the 172-acre property is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5 at the city building. The developer, Ameritek Custom Homes, has asked the city to consider zoning the property under Planned Unit Development, which allows for a mix of condominiums, town homes and single family homes. The Ameritek development would be next to Arcadia, a more than 900-unit development being planned jointly by Drees Homes and Fischer Homes. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20070525/NEWS01/705250323/ Controversial pool opening today Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/26/07 No matter what the weather, city officials see only sunshine for today's opening of the Wyoming Family Aquatic Center. "We've already weathered the storm," said City Manager Bob Harrison. The storm came in 2006 during a divisive court battle over the $3.4 million aquatic center. The pool, its water features - two of which star the Sea Dragon mascot of Wyoming's swim team - and outbuildings with roof lines resembling the Victorian structures in small New England seaports abut the city's recreation center. Both facilities are on a 10-acre tract Wyoming owns in the neighboring village of Woodlawn. The court battle was waged by a grass-roots group, Concerned Wyoming Citizens. The group wanted the pool put to a vote. Wyoming officials argued that was unnecessary. The city had polled citizens for their input since establishing a task force in 1999. Woodlawn's Master Plan Nearing Completion! Cincinnati.com, 5/25/07 The Village of Woodlawn will host a draft Master Plan Open House on Wednesday, May 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The Open House will be held at the Woodlawn Community Center located at the intersection of Grove Road and Woodlawn Blvd. Persons interested in reviewing and giving feedback on the Draft Master Plan's elements are invited to come at any time during that period. There will be no formal presentation. The Open House is a key step in developing the Woodlawn Master Plan, the Village's first comprehensive plan since 1968. The Open House will give residents and business operators a unique opportunity to review the recommendations crafted by a Village Steering Committee, ask questions and recommend revisions. Woodlawn is a Cincinnati suburb just west of I-75. Located between Glendale and Wyoming on State Route 4 (Springfield Pike), Woodlawn is a diverse community that is home to over 2,800 residents, more than 340 businesses and Glenwood Gardens, a signature Hamilton County Park District facility. The Master Plan is being developed by Village residents with assistance from planning consultants Jacobs Edwards & Kelcey. District gets promise of state funding for new school Middletown Journal, 5/25/07 Madison's number has come up and residents are thrilled. The Madison Local School district announced Monday night that it has received funding verification from the Ohio School Facilities Commission to build a primary school building adjoined to Madison Junior/Senior High School. The district started with a rank of 200 on the OSFC list, but is now third on the list, said Superintendent Chris Cline. Sixty people gathered Thursday night at a community forum to find out more information about the district's plans for a new building and details on how the project would be funded — without more local money. Residents expressed satisfaction at the plan that would give state-of-the-art facilities to Madison students without breaking the bank for residents. "I think it's great," said Robin Gilbert, a district parent. "The kids need a new school. The way they've done it is great, especially for people who are retired and can't afford more taxes." Sycamore agrees to CHCA lot]Sycamore agrees to CHCA lot Northeast Suburban Life, 5/24/07 Trustees have agreed to allow Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy to build a parking lot in a predominantly residential area, effectively ending litigation between the school and township. The agreement was reached after trustees met in executive session May 11 to hammer out the details of a settlement. The agreement allows for the construction of a 200-space parking lot, about 100 spaces fewer than CHCA originally requested. Trustee Tom Weidman said the deal was reached after a meeting between township officials and residents resulted in many of those opposed to the lot asking for a settlement. While the parking lot issue was between Sycamore Township and Cincinnati Hills, some Symmes residents were affected by the decision, with the parking lot being located near some Symmes homes. Richard Goldberg is one of those effected, and said he's suspicious of how Sycamore handled this settlement without consulting Symmes residents. NCH planning for the future Hilltop Press, 5/24/07 The city's residential and retail future remains a work in progress. Proposed changes to both the business and residential opportunities were unveiled at public forum May 23. Residents were asked for the input which the 13-member comprehensive planning committee will take back to the drawing board. "The steering committee will make changes and present its final plan to the city planning commission," said Jerry Thamann, safety/service director. "From there it will go to council for adoption." Elverna Murray serves on the committee and is both disappointed and excited.
May 29, 200718 yr Author From the 5/29/07 Cincinnati Business Courier: Restaurant, retailer to take over pet store Cincinnati Business Courier - 11:06 AM EDT Tuesday, May 29, 2007 by Lisa Biank Fasig Staff reporter Local developer Midland Atlantic Properties is investing $1.8 million in rebuilding a former pet store at the corner of Paxton and Isabella avenues in Oakley, where the area's first Noodles & Co. restaurant will open in the fall. The 4,600-square-foot site also will include a second retail tenant, yet to be signed, said Casey Ward, senior vice president of Columbia-Tusculum development company. Though negotiations continue with several suitors, he said a salon, a jewelry store or a cellular dealer - something that would not require a lot of parking - would be among the possibilities. The development will include 30 parking spots. Noodles & Co., based in Broomfield, Colo., announced plans for the Oakley store in early May and expects to open one or two more locations in Cincinnati, possibly in the Tri-County area. The 2,600-square-foot Oakley store, across from Mio's Pizza and near the Hyde Park Plaza, will open in late October or early November. MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/05/28/daily5.html?from_rss=1 Athletic complex planned for TMC Cincinnati Post, 5/29/07 After using a natural grass football field for eight years, which has sustained a deadly combination of rainy weather and strong human impact, Thomas More College is tackling a $5 million project for a new athletic complex. Synthetic turf is a key component. In contrast to natural grass, the turf should hold up against the weather and be safer for the players, said Thomas More spokesperson Kelly Marsh. The new field will be home to the football team and the men's and women's soccer teams. Although Thomas More does not have a track and field team, the plan includes a track around the field, which opens up the potential for such a team. ‘Sacred monument’ being built in Williamstown Kentucky Post, 5/28/07 It's more than a cemetery that's being built in Williamstown. "It's a sacred monument," said Lisa Aug, spokeswoman for the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs. Work is under way to construct a 99-acre cemetery that will be the final resting place for thousands of military veterans from around the region. The $9.5 million cemetery, funded by the federal government, is expected to open in the summer of 2008. The cemetery, to be named Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North, is near exit 154 of Interstate-75 on land donated by the Grant County Industrial Development Authority. Council to debate park plan changes Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/28/07 After months of discussion, Fort Wright City Council has called a special meeting for Wednesday to try to determine the scope of improvements to Battery Hooper Park. At a March 27 hearing, some of the 28 speakers questioned the need for an amphitheater and its $330,000 expense. Still others wanted more money devoted to street repairs, debated the merits of passive recreation, such as hiking trails, versus more ball fields and playgrounds, or questioned the park's overall price tag of $1.9 million. That figure excludes a permanent easement for access and parking worth $400,000 that was donated by Community of Faith Presbyterian Church. The city has received a $250,000 grant from the state to help develop the park, of which about $100,000 has been spent on the park's design. The park was first proposed by a city vision committee in 2001. As proposed, it would include an amphitheater, picnic shelters, restrooms and recreational trails. Career center plans rehab Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/28/07 When it opened 30 years ago, the Warren County Career Center was state-of-the-art. But now the vocational center for high school students and adults seeking career retraining needs an overhaul, supporters say. It needs bigger classrooms, a bigger cafeteria, better security, and more than a dozen other improvements, according to a study done by the Ohio School Facilities Commission at the center's request. The career center serves all of Warren County's public school districts except Mason and Carlisle. There are about 700 high school students on campus and through April, 7, 200 adults had taken one or more courses.
May 31, 200718 yr Author Link contains photos. From the 5/29/07 Loveland Herald: Residents and developers clash over condominiums BY RICH SHIVENER | [email protected] LOVELAND - Developers of 92 condominiums say residents are trying to derail their plans with false accusations; emotions, not facts. More than 100 residents attended planning and zoning commission's May 21 meeting to protest the Summit Pointe subdivision, which would take up 27 acres east of Butterworth Road. The condo community would be a mix of ranch and two-floor dwellings, according to site plans, and marketed toward empty-nesters, said Glenn Brehm, a representative of Hills Communities, the company slated to build the homes. The commission could vote on the plans June 18. It agreed to table its decision on the condos May 21 due to a lengthy public hearing on the plans (more than two hours). MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20070529/NEWS01/705290312/
May 31, 200718 yr I would argue that condos don't really have a place in the suburbs anyway. Condos = convenience, efficiency, as does living in the city. Why there would be a market demand for condos in Loveland is beyond my comprehension.
May 31, 200718 yr ^people don't want to cut the grass but can't see outside their suburb for a place to live
June 1, 200718 yr When walking back from city hall the other day I saw a bumper sticker that said "Loveland: Not Cincinnati and Proud of it!" yet the car was downtown...
June 1, 200718 yr Collins Ink spots new HQ location at TechSolve park BY DAN MONK | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER June 1, 2007 BOND HILL - Tax breaks and population density were the major inducements in a Lebanon company's decision to relocate to Bond Hill. The city of Cincinnati is offering up to $2.5 million in earnings tax rebates to Collins Ink Corp., which plans to move 42 jobs to the TechSolve Industrial Park this summer and create 31 more jobs in the next three years. Collins Ink Corp. is a 17-year-old manufacturer of ink for industrial inkjet printers. It has strong ties to an Eastman Kodak division in Dayton and is a major supplier of ink for Kodak's Versamark product line. The company produces about 1.5 million liters of ink annually, according to a city report seeking tax incentives for the company. Cincinnati City Council is being asked to reimburse up to 50 percent of new earnings taxes generated by the company during 10 years. The tax breaks would apply to all jobs in which the company pays at least 200 percent of minimum wage. The incentive carries a maximum value of $2.5 million.
June 3, 200718 yr Author From the 6/1/07 Middletown Journal: PHOTO: Juan Barnett looks at the plans for the senior center on Central Avenue in Middletown as he installs a sprinkler system Thursday at the center. Staff photo by Gary Stelzer PHOTO: The dining room is taking shape at the new senior center on Central Avenue on the site of the former John XXIII Elementary School in Middletown. Staff photo by Gary Stelzer PHOTO: Work continues on the new senior center on Central Avenue Thursday in Middletown. Staff photo by Gary Stelzer New senior center's single-level design frees up space The structure, built on the site of John XXIII Elementary, is meant to blend in with the neighborhood. By Eric Robinette Staff Writer Friday, June 01, 2007 MIDDLETOWN — Imagine taking the current three-floor senior center on Verity Parkway and laying it on its side so that all its facilities are on one level. That's roughly the equivalent of the new $2 million senior center going up on Central Avenue, at the former site of John XXIII Elementary School. The building is scheduled to open in late September, said John Stugmyer, the executive director of Middletown Area Senior Citizens Inc. The building measures 22,486 square feet, whereas the current center, including all its floors, measures 21,500 square feet. That may not be a dramatic difference in pure numbers, but the new building is significantly roomier than the old because there is no need for stairs or elevators, the director said. Since the center is being built in a more suburban area as opposed to the center of downtown, the building reflects the look of the neighborhood. The architectural firm is SFA Architects Inc. based in Cincinnati. "It's designed to blend in ... we didn't want it to look too commercial," Stugmyer said. MORE: http://www.middletownjournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/06/01/mj060107seniortour.html Miami Township: Aston Lake Building Cincinnati, 5/30/07 Site plan The stalled Phase 8 of the Aston Woods development has been altered to include more units than originally planned. The project, by Fox Hills Development, will now include 7 buildings containing 32 units. The original plan called for 11 detached single-family homes. In 1998, the 265-acre Aston Woods project was approved by the County and was to include 540 dwelling units and a golf course. In August 2003, the plat for Phase 8 was approved by the Rural Zoning Commission. Due to unstable soils on the site, the developer hasn't been able to start construction. Fox Hills has reworked the site to rearrange the lots in the plat, and had made the lots accessible via a private drive off of Shady Lane. The density has been increased from 1.30 to 3.79 dwellings per acre. The amended development plan has been approved by the Regional Planning Commission. The Rural Zoning Commission has not yet added this case to their agenda. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW GOOGLE AERIAL MAP http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/05/miami-twp-aston-lake.html
June 4, 200718 yr Author From the Marketplace section of the 6/3/07 Enquirer: COMPANY TO BUILD OFFICES NEAR LUNKEN MOUNT LOOKOUT - A Fairfax construction development company plans to build 36 office condominiums across from Armleder Park near Lunken Airport. The $7.2 million development, to be known as Wooster Park Office Condominiums, will offer East Side professionals and small-business owners a chance to buy office space near their home and downtown, the developer says. The units will be clustered in three buildings with 12 office condos each. Finished units will start at $181,600 for 1,200 square feet. Buyers will have option to work with the developer to buy larger spaces and multiple units. Dave Staun, vice president at Unit Building Services, says each unit is fully customizable and contains a reception area, offices and conference room. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070603/BIZ01/706030317/ Fort Wright caps park plan at $1.5 million Erlanger Recorder, 6/4/07 Deciding to scale back the original designs for Battery Hooper Park, the Fort Wright city council voted 4-2 to limit the project's cost to $1.5 million. Dave Hatter and Joe Nienaber, Jr. cast the dissenting votes at the May 30 meeting. Hatter said he would not support the project if it exceeded $1 million, believing the park should include a smaller shelter area and a larger playground. City administrator Larry Klein, who is confident the city will able to reduce the overall costs, will meet with the design firm, CDS Associates, in the next few weeks before an updated plan is presented to council during the July meeting. The consensus among council, however, was to remove the $332,000 amphitheater from the project in favor of more playground equipment.
June 6, 200718 yr Hey gang, I have two more homes getting ready to break ground in Hyde Park adjacent to our Summit Commons development. Both will look roughly like this: Listings: http://www.comey.com/displaylist.asw?listnum=1069864&mls=cincy http://www.comey.com/displaylist.asw?listnum=1069843&mls=cincy Our other one will is also close to beginning construction as the sixth unit of the Summit Commons development, although it will probably be changed to add a double garage:
June 7, 200718 yr I just drove down Wooster Pike, and the new office condos across from the US Bank Office are really taking shape, they look to have pretty high quality finishes, but have a rather suburban look to them. Anything is better than the wasteland that has been there forever though, at least the land is in productive use. Here is the link: http://www.everestrealestate.com/New%20Website/Office%20Brochures/WoosterParkOfficeCondos.pdf
June 8, 200718 yr Author From the 6/7/07 Wilmington News Journal: PHOTO New hotel open and ready for business ... and pleasure Facility constructed so 32 rooms can be added to current 91 GARY HUFFENBERGER Staff Writer Those oohs and aahs you heard last week on the east side of town came from people taking tours through the Wilmington Hampton Inn & Suites after it opened its doors for business ... and pleasure. The four-story, 91-room hotel is the newest prototype for Hampton Inn & Suites. Douglas L. Steinke is CEO and partner of S&S Management Inc. which developed the Wilmington Hampton Inn & Suites and will manage it. Ten years ago, S&S Management built its first hotel, Holiday Inn Express in Wilmington. The Wilmington Hampton Inn & Suites is the 10th hotel developed by the company. The new Hampton virtually is next door to the Holiday Inn Express, both of them on Holiday Drive off Rombach Avenue. The Web site is www.wilmington.hamptoninn.com. MORE: http://www.wnewsj.com/main.asp?SectionID=49&SubSectionID=156&ArticleID=155769 Symmes Twp: Symmes Green Site plan: Click to enlarge The Symmes Township Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on June 5 regarding a rezoning for the Symmes Green subdivision. Rhein Properties (applicant) and Enyart Road Development (owner) are proposing 35 single-family lots on just over ten acres off of Enyart Road between Donwiddle and Bristol. The rezoning from "A" Residence to "B CUP" Residential Community Unit Plan is necessary to accomodate the planned density of 3.86 units per acre. "A" zoning allows only up to 2.17 units per acre. On May 3, the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission (HCRPC) ruled that the change to "B CUP" zoning was not consistent with the Symmes Township Land Use Plan and with the existing surrounding land uses. Instead, the HCRPC suggested an "A-2" Residence designation, which would allow up to 3.11 units per acre. Under this designation, the project would have to be redesigned and scaled down to 28 units. A vote on the rezoning is not currently on the Trustees' agenda. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW GOOGLE AERIAL MAP Other notes: * 3.5 acres of greenspace in development (38% coverage) * Demolition of two single-family homes and outbuildings * A Homeowners Association will be created http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/06/symmes-twp-symmes-green.html Battery improvements to be recommended Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/6/07 At Fort Wright City Council's July 5 meeting, city staff is to offer recommendations for proposed Battery Hooper Park improvements. Last week, council directed staff by a 4-2 vote to go back to the drawing board and scale back the $2.4 million project to $1.5 million, City Administrator Larry Klein said. A proposed amphitheater was "pretty much eliminated," he said, after some residents questioned its need and the $330,000 price tag. Staff also will look at making a proposed playground bigger, explore the possibility of a themed playground in keeping with the Civil War site, and look into replacing proposed custom-made picnic shelters with pre-fabricated structures. Staff began meeting Tuesday with CDS Associates, an architectural and engineering firm, to discuss possible alternatives, Klein said. Human Nature Inc. is the subcontractor on the project. City, YMCA still talking Rec center plans alive despite voter rejection Loveland Herald, 6/4/07 City officials' plans for a recreation center are moving forward without a secured tax levy. Council has set a public hearing on the recreation center for June 12, asking for input from residents. Voters defeated the 0.2-percent income tax levy May 8, which would have given the administration funds to build a rec center and improve city parks. Council has requested City Manager Tom Carroll and Vice Mayor Joe Schickel to reconvene the Finance Committee and the Recreation Aquatic Center Committee - teams of residents and city staff who analyzed the center's aspects. "I think we can certainly clarify council's intent after doing some additional fact finding and information gathering from residents," Carroll said. Walton awaits Abner Gaines grant Florence Recorder, 6/4/07 The city of Walton is awaiting word on a $250,000 grant from the Kentucky Transportation Department before it begins "Phase 2" restoration of the historic Abner Gaines house on Nicholson Road. The city, which applied for the grant in early May, hopes to hear back from the department before July's end. Peggy Gray, Walton's finance officer, says that "Phase 2" restoration deals directly with renovation of the deteriorating outside conditions of the building. "Renovations that need to be done to the Gaines house include mortar and masonry repair, window glazing, installation of storm windows, shutter improvements, and adding down spouts," Gray said. "The front and side porch also need to be restored." Walton purchased the 193-year-old home in 2006 from Stephanie and Alan Gjerde with the help of a $300,000 grant from the Kentucky Department of Transportation. The city then added $60,000 to the grant, allowing it to begin restoration on its back porch, two front rooms, and the house's electrical wiring, according to Walton Mayor Philip Trzop. Symmes residents protest CHCA parking lot Northeast Suburban Life, 6/4/07 Trustees have agreed to allow Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy to build a parking lot in a predominantly residential area, effectively ending litigation between the school and township. The agreement was reached after trustees met in executive session May 11 to hammer out the details of a settlement. The agreement allows for the construction of a 200-space parking lot, about 100 spaces fewer than CHCA originally requested. Trustee Tom Weidman said the deal was reached after a meeting between township officials and residents resulted in many of those opposed to the lot asking for a settlement. While the parking lot issue was between Sycamore Township and Cincinnati Hills, some Symmes residents were affected by the decision, with the parking lot being located near some Symmes homes. Richard Goldberg is one of those effected, and said he's suspicious of how Sycamore handled this settlement without consulting Symmes residents. Historic College Hill Town Hall to Get a Makeover – You’re Invited! Cincinnati.com, 6/4/07 It will be “gang activity” of a good kind in College Hill: armed with paint brushes and buckets, 30 College Hill citizens have taken it upon themselves to paint the trim, windows, and doors on College Hill’s historic Town Hall this Saturday, June 9, at 1805 Larch Avenue. The College Hill Historical Society had the spark of inspiration to save this Samuel Hannaford gem after learning that Give Back Cincinnati/Paint the Town would be in the neighborhood the same day helping out homeowners by offering the painting services of Cincinnati-area volunteers. Although maintenance crews have been by recently to fix the roof and perform other emergency maintenance on the City-owned building, the paint has been peeling from the gutters and trim for years. Graffiti has been carved into one of the old oak doors that used to be the entry way from the porte couche where horse-drawn carriages once dropped off Town Hall visitors and officers. Stepping up to the plate was Marty Weldishofer of the College Hill Urban Redevelopment Corporation who was able to secure donations from Al Neyer, Inc. (the developer of the up and coming Linden Commons project in College Hill), The College Hill Forum, the College Hill Gardeners, the College Hill Business Association, Children’s Hospital, and the College Hill Historical Society. With community support, enough money for paint, brushes, scrapers, and with area homeowners lending ladders and buckets, the College Hill Historical Society then put the word out for volunteers, and the response was overwhelming. Even some seniors living across the street at Llanfair Retirement Community will be stopping by to offer encouragement and bottled water.
June 12, 200718 yr Author From the 6/9/07 Enquirer: Zoning recommendation boosts development BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | [email protected] An office and retail development east of Turkeyfoot Road, across from Industrial Road, got a boost Thursday when the Kenton County Planning Commission recommended Independence officials rezone a 30-acre site from residential to a neighborhood commercial zone. Viox and Viox, on behalf of Eagle Development, has proposed a development with: - A pair of two-story office/retail buildings that together contain 92,000 square feet of first-floor and 40,000 square feet of office space. - 15,360-square-foot medical office. - 12,000-square-foot drug store. - About 10,800 square feet of restaurant space. - 4,200-square-foot convenience store with a gas station. - Another 6,200 square feet of office and retail space adjacent to the convenience store. - 3,000-square-foot bank. - A drive-through coffee shop or automatic banking machine. The planning commission recommended approval of the map change with a 15-1 vote, over the objections of about a dozen people who expressed concerns about traffic, living close to a commercial development and adequate screening and landscaping to separate the proposed development from nearby residences. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070609/NEWS0103/706090400/ Anderson Twp: Horizon Community Church project Building Cincinnati, 6/6/07 The proposed Horizon Community Church project will have a couple of public hearings this month. On June 7, the proposal will be reviewed by the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission (HCRPC). On June 18, the Anderson Township Zoning Commission will take those recommendations and hold a public hearing. Those recommendations will be passed along to the Board of Township Trustees. This item has not yet been added to their agenda. The purpose of these meetings is to rezone 117 acres from "H" Riverfront to "A-A CUP" Planned Residence, a zoning designation that allows churches. Horizon Community Church would then be allowed to erect a 160,000-square-foot* church and 1,200 space parking lot on the site of the former Indian Valley Golf Course. Building Cincinnati: Anderson Twp: Horizon Community Church project (5/8/07) * NOTE: Previous meetings in front of the HCRPC and the Hamilton County Rural Zoning Commission described a building of 210,000 square feet. Has this been scaled down? I don't know. http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/06/anderson-twp-horizon-community-church.html Fifth Third unit underwrites Mt. Healthy schools bonds Cincinnati Business Courier, 6/8/07 Mount Healthy students will get three new schools, thanks in part to a $33 million bond sales underwritten by Fifth Third Securities. The securities firm sold the notes issued by Mount Healthy City Schools under the Ohio School Facilities Commission Classroom Facilities Assistance Program, according to Andrew Brossart, vice president of public finance with Fifth Third Securities. The state funded 64 percent of the project, with the district paying for the remaining 36 percent. The Mount Healthy district plans to build two elementary schools and a junior/senior high school, replacing the six elementary schools and separate junior and senior high schools it now operates. Fifth Third Securities is a unit of Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: FITB). Hearing is Tuesday about rec center Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/8/07 Loveland City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday to determine whether to revive the proposal for a city recreation and aquatic center. Last month, Loveland voters rejected a proposed 0.2 percent income-tax increase that would have funded the $9.5 million center. The hearing will be at 8:30 p.m. in council chambers at the municipal building, 120 W. Loveland Ave. New high school on the way Kentucky Post, 6/7/07 When John Riehemann graduated from Lloyd Memorial High in 1980, the school was already outdated, its amenities - such as they were - a mirror of the Eisenhower era. Built in 1954, many of its classrooms only had one electrical outlet because the only use for them at the time was for a film projector. And the steam heating system required that the windows be opened when it kicked in. Fast forward the 27 years since Riehemann went off to college and a career. He's now the Lloyd principal, and the building on Bartlett Avenue in Erlanger keeps chugging along with all its limitations. Carry-out a hard sell for Madeira residents Suburban Life, 6/4/07 Some Madeira residents are up in arms about a potential carry-out business near their homes. They also expressed opposition to alcohol being sold at the site. The owner of a former gasoline station at Miami and Laurel avenues had requested a liquor license transfer to a carry-out, which would be located at Camargo Road and Camargo Greene Court. Residents came to the May 29 Madeira City Council meeting saying they didn't want a drive-through on their street. However, City Manager Tom Moeller said the business, which has not been built, would actually be a convenience store with a drive-up window on the side of the building.
June 12, 200718 yr Auto supplier moving HQ to Fairfield Cincinnati Business Courier - 9:52 AM EDT Tuesday, June 12, 2007 The growing market for automotive suppliers in the Tri-State region has prompted a California company to move its headquarters to Fairfield. The Hamilton Journal-News reported Tuesday that Iwata Bolt USA, a maker of bolts and fasteners for the automotive industry, will build a $10.5 million plant and offices on 17 acres at Union Centre Boulevard east of Seward Road. The project will create 50 jobs over the next three years. The company, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Iwata Bolt Co. Ltd., will consolidate two plants and offices in Vandalia and Garden City, Calif., at the Fairfield site. Iwata Bolt USA Executive Vice President Akira Kayama told the Journal-News that the company is making the move because its major customers, including Honda Motor Co. (NYSE: HMC) and Nissan Motor Co. (NASDAQ: NSANY) have plants in Indiana, Kentucky and Georgia. Honda is also in the process of building a manufacturing plant in Greensburg, Ind. Fairfield City Council on Monday approved a seven-year, 50 percent property tax abatement for Iwata Bolt. The company will pay Fairfield City School District more than $9,100 annually during the course of the abatement, according to the newspaper. Iwata Bolt will begin construction on the facility in October, with completion expected in summer 2008. MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/06/11/daily16.html?from_rss=1
June 13, 200718 yr Author New Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins coming to Avondale Building Cincinnati, 6/7/07 A Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins outlet is coming to Avondale. The combined restaurant will be built on the southwest corner of the MLK/Harvey/Vernon intersection. Buildings on the site were recently demolished. (These buildings can be seen on the Windows Live link.) One, 3033 Vernon Place, was an old office building built in 1953. The other, an amalgam of small shops at 435-439 Martin Luther King, was damaged by fire and condemned in late 2005 and wasn't able to fulfill its economic potential anymore. The nearest Baskin Robbins locations are on Dixie Highway in Fairfield and on Buttermilk Pike, just off of the I-71/I-75 exit. The latter location is also a combined store. The nearest Dunkin Donuts location is downtown. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW (looking west) GOOGLE AERIAL MAP http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/06/avondale-new-dunkin-donutsbaskin.html Whitewater Twp: Glendower Place Building Cincinnati, 6/7/07 Site plan: Click to enlarge Drees is looking to build a 199-lot subdivision in Whitewater Twp. Glendower Place would be built on 83.3 acres off of Harrison Road, a half-mile east of Strimple Road. The topography of the site is a challenge. Drees is proposing streets and homes along the tops of the ridges, with the most steeply sloped portions (near the I-74/I-275 interchange) remaining a greenbelt. Three homes currently on the site would remain, as would the lake, which would be used as a detention pond. The Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission has approved of the preliminary subdivision plan. Essentially, the project is a go unless there are changes made to the subdivision plan that cause it to no longer conform with the county's subdivision design standards. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW GOOGLE AERIAL MAP http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/06/whitewater-twp-glendower-place.html Residents launch drive to halt Montgomery Road development Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/11/07 A group of residents wants the city to buy 10 acres along Montgomery Road slated for development and preserve it as a municipal park with walking and bicycle paths. Citizen Action for a Livable Montgomery launched a petition drive this week to place the issue on the November ballot. "We think the voters ought to have a say in what the community looks like," said Connie Pillich, a member of the group. "There is no other place to expand our park system." But Montgomery Mayor Gerri Harbison said it would not be prudent for the city to buy the property. "If the city has to come up with the money, other city services will definitely suffer," she said. "We have set aside money so we can keep our roads in great shape." Erlanger ready to rehab homes Erlanger Recorder, 6/11/07 David Hahn knows city residents would gladly get behind the Erlanger Housing Development Corporation...if they only knew about it. Hahn, the city's economic development director, is one of eight members of the housing development committee looking to fix up some Erlanger neighborhoods. The city is looking to purchase abandoned, foreclosed or neglected properties, fix them up, and re-sell them. "This is definitely not something we're looking to make a profit with, but rather just to keep our neighborhoods looking good," said Hahn. 'This isn't a real big problem in the city, but we're just trying to stay on top of it to ensure it doesn't become a big problem." Council member John Dunhoft, who heads the committee, said they have only purchased one house to date, and actually had to sell it to another re-modeler after learning the cost of fixing it up would put them in a financial hole. He said the committee, which has it's own line of credit to purchase houses, broke even on that deal, and learned some valuable lessons. Mt. Orab to develop Ashley Grove Georgetown News Democrat, 6/10/07 Mayor Bruce Lunsford discussed with council Tuesday, June 5, a recent proposal from Adams Brown Counties Economic Opportunities, Inc. and Creative Housing Solutions to add a senior citizen apartment complex on the property called Ashley Grove. The property is located behind Best Western off of a currently empty road named Grieshop Street and will provide housing for 30 seniors. Adams Brown Counties Economic Opportunities, Inc., is a community minded organization that deals with family planning and housing. "I think it (a senior citizens complex) would be an asset to the community," Lunsford said. Mt. Orab has a number of senior citizen complexes already, but the proposed building at Ashley Grove is much different in design. The building will be three stories high with one main entrance, instead of the usual one floor with separate entrances. The apartments would be available to people 55 and over. Rent for the complex would be based on the individual's retirement or income. The overall goal is to make a place where seniors can easily afford to live and not rent out the units at market rate. Historic church gets painted Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/10/07 Historic Immanuel United Methodist Church, East Fifth and Greenup streets in Covington, is getting an exterior makeover this month. Workers say they expect to finish painting the outside of the 140-year-old church within 2½ weeks. The Gothic structure was built in 1867, thanks largely to financial assistance from Covington businessman and civic leader Amos Shinkle, a devout Methodist and superintendent of the church's first Sunday School in 1867-92. A plaque erected by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet notes that the First United Methodist Church split over slavery in 1846, prompting the temporary formation of a second church several blocks away. The two churches reunited in 1939, and the current building was rebuilt after a fire in 1947, the plaque says. Friarhurst to be reborn Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/10/07 The Friarhurst Chapel and Retreat Center, which has been closed since the end of 2005, will once again become a place of prayer and religious worship. SonRise Community Church, a nondenominational church that has been holding services in Mariemont High School, has purchased the 16-acre hillside site from the Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist. The church draws an average of 235 people each Sunday. The Franciscans had owned Friarhurst since 1919, when they bought it from the descendants of the man who in 1845 built the site's farmhouse that was expanded later and still stands. They closed Friarhurst because the retreat house, a narrow building with 37 tiny, cell-like rooms, was obsolete. SonRise plans to build a facility on the site that will hold religious services and provide outreach to the community. "We want to have a church that isn't too big," church pastor Jeff Arington said. "We want it to feel like a community."
June 14, 200718 yr Author From the 6/13/07 Enquirer: CiTiRAMA event is on Thursday THE ENQUIRER Officials will break ground Thursday for Brodbeck Place II, the development to be showcased in this fall's CiTiRAMA, the every-other-year event to show off new housing in the city limits. Mayor Mark Mallory said the development off Westwood Northern Boulevard will include 26 single-family houses priced from $180,000 to $220,000. The city contributed $725,000, he said, mostly spent on public infrastructure necessary before houses could be built. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070613/NEWS01/706130365/1056/COL02 North Avondale: Multi-family at 3816 Reading Building Cincinnati, 6/8/07 A new multi-family building is coming to 3816 Reading Road in North Avondale. Permits are in route, but the details are sketchy. I have been able to dig up some documents regarding HUD and I have reason to believe that this may be either a VA inpatient facility or a facility for homeless vets. I still don't know how many units, but I do know that it will contain offices, which leads me to believe that my suspicion is true. The land at 3816 Reading, which is across from Seasongood Square, is currently vacant and has been so for at least 11 years. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW GOOGLE AERIAL VIEW http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/06/north-avondale-multi-family-at-3816.html Owner: Subsidized housing may be built on Sherwood Hillsboro Times-Gazette, 6/13/07 Following half a year of debate, and with council president Dick Donley breaking a tie vote, the Hillsboro City Council voted Monday evening to leave the zoning of a piece of property in the area of Sherwood Drive as it stands. However, the owner of the property in question said bordering residents will still see the land developed, with subsidized housing a likely candidate for construction. The matter has been discussed by council, its committees, and the Hillsboro Planning Commission off and on for the past seven months, since it was introduced to the planning commission in November 2006. The real estate agent and attorney for one of the property's owners, John Dragoo, have each petitioned council to change the zoning of the eight acres, known as the Hauke/Dragoo property, from Residential A, one of the most restrictive zonings, to Residential B, a less restrictive zoning. The change was being sought so the property, the Hauke/Dragoo property, may be used for the construction of condominiums by Leatherwood Associates. Boy Scouts seek final approval for new headquarters site Cincinnati Business Courier, 6/11/07 The Dan Beard Council may have the go ahead to build its new home in Evendale by week's end. The village of Evendale's council Tuesday night will hold a second hearing of a proposed ordinance to lease a portion of village property adjacent to the Gorman Heritage Farm on Reading Road to the Boy Scout unit, now headquartered in Walnut Hills. A third hearing will happen on Thursday night, after which council members will vote. If passed, the ordinance will be effective immediately. Construction on the $5 million, 28,000-square-foot building would begin next spring. "As far as I know, council is ready to see this happen," said Jack Cameron, assistant to Mayor Don Apking. The Dan Beard Council, which employs 55 people full-time, has a $2 million annual payroll. The village would earn $24,000 per year in earnings tax revenue from these new jobs. In return, the village would lease the land to the Boy Scouts for $1 per year for a term of 99 years. Work begins on Rozzi's Fireworks site Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/10/07 Symmes Township has begun preliminary work to prepare for the development of the Rozzi's Famous Fireworks site between Lebanon and Union Cemetery roads for athletic fields and other recreation. Symmes Township trustees have approved a contract with Lee Nordloh Inc. for up to $9,000 to survey the 50-acre site, which the township has agreed to buy for $7.5 million in April 2008. The township also has hired the Payne Firm, an environmental consulting company in Blue Ash, to conduct an environmental study of the property. The money to purchase the property comes from an additional 0.9-mill levy Symmes voters approved last month. The Rozzi family will continue to operate their business in Symmes until they move it to a site in Clinton County.
June 15, 200718 yr Author From the 6/14/07 Enquirer: $12M expansion for church BY MIKE BOYER | [email protected] SPRINGDALE - The Vineyard Community Church is planning a $12 million expansion, into an industrial warehouse adjacent to its church and separate resource center on East Century Circle, south of Kemper Road. The nondenominational church, famous for feeding parking meters and handing out free soft drinks as part of its ministry, has acquired the 106,000 square-foot former SPS Packaging building at 11345 W. Century Circle for a new “Healing Center” and expansion of its Student Ministries for grades 6 to 12. The church, which raised about $12.8 million in a capital campaign this year earlier, paid $3.15 million for the building and surrounding five acres. CB Richard Ellis represented the seller, Neyer Properties. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070614/BIZ01/306140030 Symmes Twp: Loveland Trace Building Cincinnati, 6/8/07 Site plan McKinney Developers/Ray Murphy Homes are starting a 16-lot subdivision called Loveland Trace. The subdivision, on a cul-de-sac off of McKinney Road/West Loveland Avenue, will feature upscale housing at around $600,000 and up. (To be honest, I'm not exactly sure just where this will be located. I'm thinking just west of Glen Lake Road by Hidden Creek Park.) Two homes are currently listed: 3 Loveland Trace Ct, $699,900 16 Loveland Trace Ct, $589,900 Ray Murphy Homes project website WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW GOOGLE AERIAL MAP http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/06/symmes-twp-loveland-trace.html Park proposal heads to council Middletown Journal, 6/14/07 Although no 2nd Ward residents showed up for a public meeting Wednesday on the proposed revitalization of Douglass Park, the committee proposing improvements decided to move forward. Verlena Stewart, the city's community services director, said the Douglass Park Matters committee met with various community organizations and has received either written or verbal endorsements for the project. Plans include an all-accessible playground, an amphitheater, renovated basketball and tennis courts and re-engineered football, baseball and soccer fields. She said the park proposal will be presented Tuesday to Middletown City Council. "I'm enthusiastic about the project," Stewart said. Neighborhood honors activist Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/14/07 A neighborhood playground at Hatmaker and Burns streets will be officially renamed this morning to honor a neighborhood activist. The Oyler Playground will be renamed Ron Yocum Memorial Playground during an 11 a.m. dedication ceremony. Yocum grew up in Lower Price Hill, where he played baseball on the playground, worked with a community assistance organization and with the Cincinnati Recreation Commission. He was a Cincinnati firefighter. Yocum retired as a District Fire Chief in 2000 after a 25-year career. He was killed in a motorcycle crash in 2005 at age 53. Neighborhood residents requested that the playground be renamed in Yocum’s honor and the request was unanimously approved by the recreation commission, District Fire Chief Gary Scott said this morning.
June 15, 200717 yr Author From the 6/14/07 Loveland Herald: "I do not want Loveland coming in and taking any more land from the township. I'll fight to the death." - Kathy Wagner, Symmes Township Trustee on the possibility of a new development in Symmes being annexed by nearby Loveland. Symmes trustees defend Enyart Road development BY ROB DOWDY | [email protected] SYMMES TWP. - Trustees and developers are moving forward with a new housing development despite protests from some residents. The development, Symmes Green, will be 35 lots on 10 acres on the north side of Enyart Road, east of Donwiddle Drive and northwest of Bristol Court. Developer Dave Reibold said homes in Symmes Green would be priced in the $450,000 to $500,000 range and would target the "empty-nester" crowd. Rich Zinnecker was one of the few residents to attend the public hearing June 5. He opposes the development because of its density. Zinnecker said trustees weren't taking public opinion into consideration when making their decision. "They don't want to hear what the public has to say," he said. Trustee Eric Minamyer said the township has held public hearings on the development. However, he said the trustees must do what's best for the township, and that means approving Symmes Green to avoid annexation of the land into Loveland. MORE: http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/C2/20070614/NEWS01/706140378/ From Cincinnati.com, 6/14/07: Triangle plaza progress continues Contributed By Gail Towns Frank Davis is accustomed to the questions:"What's going in there? When are they going to do something? What's the deal?" Now there are plenty of answers, many of which people can see for themselves as they watch the progress being made at the corner of Cooper and Montgomery roads, the site of the Mongtomery Gateway development. "For a long time there was just site preparation going on and no word on individual tenants. All I could tell people was 'We're working on it, we're working on it.'" In recent months, though, it's all come together, says Davis, director of community development for the city, and an estimated 85 percent of the property is leased. "It's like we went from 'Is anybody in there?' to having 'no room in the inn.'" Huff Realty recently announced plans to occupy office space on the second floor of the plaza that once was a corner gas station and later served as surface parking. The People's Bank has already opened there and development officials are working on final plans for the new Stonecreek Restaurant. MORE: http://rodeo.cincinnati.com/getlocal/gpstory.aspx?id=100134&sid=114076 Twin Lakes showdown continues in Montgmery Northeast Suburban Life, 6/14/07 City council is still weighing its options for a senior-housing development's traffic route. Several residents have opposed a roadway for 13 homes that Twin Lakes, a senior-living organization, plans to develop on roughly three acres between Schoolhouse and Hopewell roads. Officials with the organization have recently considered buying additional acreage south of the three acres: 2.6 acres owned by Le Steele Properties LLC. For the roadway design to work, the officials say, the city needs to give up a small parcel of land near the southwest corner of the Montgomery Safety Center. Council was expected to vote on the easement June 6. Taylor Mill shows off community center Kenton Community Recorder, 6/14/07 Stepping away from the close confines of the city building council chambers, Taylor Mill conducted its July 13 city commission meeting in the new, spacious Park Place Community Center at Pride Park. With evening light filling the large meeting room, only a handful of residents were in attendance to see the new community center firsthand, including Harry and Therese Humpert. The Humperts requested that the city re-zone a 4-acre tract of land behind their home at the end of Rosebud Drive from R-2 (multi-family) to R-1C (single-family). The issue was tabled until the July 11 meeting, however, as city officials want to wait until the results of the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission meeting on July 5, when the NKAPC will vote on the city's proposed map amendment request for the downtown. The area in question is located immediately south of the I-275 and KY 16 interchange with boundaries extending to the entrance of the Taylor Creek Subdivision, including the Shoppes of Taylor Mill and the southern side of Walnut Drive.
June 16, 200717 yr Author EDC to consider rezoning for Mount Washington townhomes Building Cincinnati, 6/13/07 Site plan: Click to enlarge The City's Economic Development Committee (EDC) has scheduled a public hearing that could result in a townhome development being built in Mount Washington. Tanner Custom Homes is seeking a zoning change that would allow for 14 attached townhome units to be constructed at 6612-6648 Corbly Road. The current zoning, SF-6 Single-Family, would only allow a maximum of 12 townhomes on the site. A change to SF-4 Single-Family would allow them to add two extra units. At their May 4 meeting, the City Planning Commission unanimously approved of the rezoning. Reasons cited for the approval included compatibility with the recent Mount Washington Comprehensive Plan, the support of the community council, and the need for more housing options in the neighborhood. Some local residents have voiced concerns over increased traffic, the unstable hillsides, and the loss of green space and animal life. The EDC meeting will be held on June 19. A vote by City Council is likely either June 20 or June 27. WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW (looking east) GOOGLE AERIAL MAP http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/06/edc-to-consider-rezoning-for-mount.html Symmes Twp: Hearthstone Estates Building Cincinnati, 6/13/07 Site plan from project website: Click to enlarge Hearthstone Estates is a 49-lot subdivision being built off of McKinney Road in Symmes Township. The 36-acre site features three home types--Lifestyle (patio homes), Falls, and Estate (or Showcase Homes). The bottom end appears to be in the mid $400s and the top end somewhere around $900K. Lots are also being offered for sale for $110,000-$120,000 for 1/6 acre. The builders are M/I Homes, Brandenburg Homes, Capital Custom Homes, Heartwood Builders and Zicka Walker Homes. (Yep, there's nothing more welcoming than a subdivision that's segregated by income!) 9213 Geromes Way, $919,000 Example of Falls home, no price given Example of Patio home, $449,000 Hearthstone Estates project website WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW (looking west) GOOGLE AERIAL MAP http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/06/symmes-twp-hearthstone-estates.html Fire training center groundbreaking set for Monday Kentucky Post, 6/16/07 Groundbreaking for Boone County's first fire training center is set for Monday evening in Burlington - a project that's been in the works for 25 years. Members of the Boone County Fiscal Court and Fire Chiefs Association will meet at the Conrad Lane site for the facility at 6:30 p.m. to formally recognize the start of construction even though prefabricated components for the structure began arriving there in late February. The fire training center will feature a four-story tower and residential annex with live-fire rooms where Boone County's 450 firefighters can experience interior structure fires in a controlled atmosphere. Until now the growing county's firefighters have had to use training facilities in Campbell and Kenton counties when they were available. Firefighters began pushing for a training facility in Boone County in 1981, but repeated land acquisition and funding problems delayed construction of the center. The project finally began moving forward seven years ago when the county acquired land along Conrad Lane for its current public safety complex. Eight of Boone County's 10 fire departments are helping to pay for construction of the facility's first phase through an inter-local agreement. Should it stay or should it go? Dearborn County Register, 6/15/07 Gut it and start over or tear it down and leave a "gaping hole" are the possible fates of a vacant house in Aurora. The house at 412-414 Fourth St. was discussed as a potential rehab project by the Aurora Historic Preservation Commission at its Tuesday, June 5, meeting. Dr. Doug Ruter, a dentist with offices at 402 Fourth St., has expressed interest in purchasing the three-story house to demolish. But he is open to working with the commission to preserve it, said Kent Abraham, southeast representative of Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and a consultant to the AHPC. The idea is to save the building, said AHPC Chairman Pro Tem Chris Baltz. Ruter wants an understanding with AHPC before he buys the building, owned by Bige Couch and his siblings as part of their mother's estate. Ruter is willing to give the AHPC a period of time to do something with the building, said AHPC member Brett Fehrman. He and Abraham have discussed the situation with Ruter.
June 18, 200717 yr Author From the 6/15/07 Enquirer: Westwood getting second Citirama BY JEFF MCKINNEY | [email protected] WESTWOOD - As part of an effort to boost homeownership in the city of Cincinnati , work will begin next month on the second phase of the Brodbeck Park housing development in Westwood. Known as Brodbeck Park II, the $5 million phase will eventually include 24 new homes and be the site of the 2007 Citirama home show off Brodbeck Place along Fox Cove Court. Up to 13 of the homes will be showcased at the eighth annual Citirama from Oct. 6-14, building and city officials say. Homes will be priced from $170,000 to $210,000 and range from about 1,600 to 2,000 square feet. The first phase had 24 homes that were priced mostly from about $140,000 to $200,000, with some fetching higher prices. Work is expected to be completed in about two years. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20070615/BIZ01/706150350/ Columbia Tusculum: 540 Delta Building Cincinnati, 6/14/07 Front elevation of new 540 Delta C A R Construction will be building a new single-family at 540 Delta Avenue after demolishing the existing house. The new home will be two stories with two bedrooms and two and a half baths. A two-car attached rear-entry garage will be built with access from Empress Avenue. It's currently listed at $299,900. The house to be demolished was built around the turn of the last century and is listed by the auditor as being only 468 square feet. 540 Delta, soon to be demolished WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW (looking south) GOOGLE AERIAL MAP http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/06/columbia-tusculum-540-delta.html High school beginning rebuilding project Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/17/07 A groundbreaking ceremony at Lloyd Memorial High School on June 7 kicked off construction on a four-phase project that will completely rebuild the school. The ceremony marked the start of the first phase, which will be built in front of the existing school. It will house the main office, two science labs, five science classrooms and five special education classrooms. The structure will be connected to the old building, which was built in 1954, so it can be accessed until the other three phases are completed. The cost of the first phase is estimated at $5.5 million and should be completed next fall.
June 20, 200717 yr This house does look ridiculously out of place, but the owner and builder built within the rules/zoning laws. So, don't come down on them after the fact. The average distance rule is already in effect, I had to abide by it when building a house in Hyde Park last year where there was a non-uniform setback for houses on the street. It is a better rule than hard and fast, "X number of feet" zoning. Too much curb appeal? BY JANE PRENDERGAST | [email protected] PHOTO: http://cmsimg.enquirer.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Dato=20070620&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=706200412&Ref=AR&Q=80&MaxW=450&MaxH=475&Site=AB&Q=80&Border=0&Title=0 HYDE PARK - Observatory Avenue is one of Cincinnati's nicest streets, in one of its pricier neighborhoods. Homes more than a century old, some valued at more than $1 million, line part of the strip. But there's a new site that sent upset neighbors to City Hall on Tuesday - a lot with two new houses, one behind the other. The property owner and builder violated no city rules, but opponents think the front house juts out too close to the street, ruining an otherwise orderly streetscape. The scene won't be repeated anywhere else in the city if a City Council vote today goes as expected. Council members will vote on an ordinance to require any new houses to meet the setback rules already in place - 25 feet, for example, on Observatory. But it will add this rule: If a house is going up next to houses set farther back, the new construction has to sit back as far as the average distance. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070620/NEWS01/706200412
June 20, 200717 yr ^Nashville's having a similar problem, although there's some sort of loophole there that is causing dozens of "attached" homes to go up. In short people are taking lots in wealthy neighborhoods occupied by perfectly attractive older homes, demolishing them, then building two houses that share a wall. They sometimes employ design devices to make them look separate but they are in fact one continuous structure. They've been slow to act on it and homes built from 1900-1930 have been getting demolished at an alarming rate, especially considering that city doesn't have much from that era. They also have problems there similar to Cincinnati where municipalities adjacent to wealthy villages and towns that enjoy their glow have ruinous zoning laws that are degrading the value of properties in the higher priced areas. A bit of an example of that is the subdivision my parents live in which is enormous, with 300 or 400 homes, but only one access point which is on a minor country road. Meanwhile a major four-lane road skirts the "back" of the subdivision, which was originally supposed to be the front. There was originally supposed to be a bridge over the creek and a connection but the homeowner's association voted against it because while the subdivision itself is in Williamson County, the richest county in the state, the main road is in the next county over (I can't remember the name) and so the theory is that by building a new entrance each house would lose at least $10,000 in value. Never mind that all 300 or 400 of those people have to drive an extra 3 miles on every chore to get to the shopping center over there. I actually did the math one time and it turned out to be some ridiculous amount like 1.2 million extra miles driven by the collective residents of the subdivision since it was built in the mid-80's.
June 20, 200717 yr This house does look ridiculously out of place, but the owner and builder built within the rules/zoning laws. So, don't come down on them after the fact. The average distance rule is already in effect, I had to abide by it when building a house in Hyde Park last year where there was a non-uniform setback for houses on the street. It is a better rule than hard and fast, "X number of feet" zoning. Too much curb appeal? BY JANE PRENDERGAST | [email protected] PHOTO: http://cmsimg.enquirer.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Dato=20070620&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=706200412&Ref=AR&Q=80&MaxW=450&MaxH=475&Site=AB&Q=80&Border=0&Title=0 HYDE PARK - Observatory Avenue is one of Cincinnati's nicest streets, in one of its pricier neighborhoods. Homes more than a century old, some valued at more than $1 million, line part of the strip. But there's a new site that sent upset neighbors to City Hall on Tuesday - a lot with two new houses, one behind the other. The property owner and builder violated no city rules, but opponents think the front house juts out too close to the street, ruining an otherwise orderly streetscape. The scene won't be repeated anywhere else in the city if a City Council vote today goes as expected. Council members will vote on an ordinance to require any new houses to meet the setback rules already in place - 25 feet, for example, on Observatory. But it will add this rule: If a house is going up next to houses set farther back, the new construction has to sit back as far as the average distance. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070620/NEWS01/706200412 That was a really stupid idea on their part. I think they're trying to capitalize on the ridiculously high demand for housing in HP (There's what, 7 or 8 real estate agencies in HP?). Unfortunately, it looks really bad, and the house in front doesn't really look like a house. It looks like a glorified USBank or some sh!t. The development as a whole just looks confusing.
June 21, 200717 yr Author Unfortunately, it looks really bad, and the house in front doesn't really look like a house. It looks like a glorified USBank or some sh!t. The development as a whole just looks confusing. So true. The construction is just a disappointment. If I was a neighbor I'd be more concerned about the looks of that front house than I would be about the setback.
June 21, 200717 yr Neighbors win zoning change THE ENQUIRER Neighbors in Hyde Park and Mount Lookout who complained to City Council this week about new houses they think are being built too close to streets convinced council members to vote Wednesday night to change the rules. Now, new construction will have to meet the set zoning standards - 25 feet back from the street, for example, on Observatory Avenue in Hyde Park, where a new house sits closer to the street than its neighbors. But in places where houses sit back farther than minimum standards, builders will have to take the average setbacks of surrounding houses and put any new construction no closer than that average. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070621/NEWS01/706210387/1056/COL02
June 21, 200717 yr What is the penalty for not being in compliance with current zoning regulations? There is no penalty, you are grandfathered in. However, you can not change uses back and back again. For example, say you have a two family home in a single family zoned area, you may convert it back to a single family, but you may never again in the future change it back to a two family, it must stay with the current zoning. Also, if you were directly referring to the Observatory Road home above, they did build within zoning regulations, it was just parceled off in a very odd way and looks ridiculous.
June 21, 200717 yr You could also be considered a non-conforming use if say you owned/operated a business within a residentially zoned area. The same scenario would play out that TCK mentioned, but you also cannot make any modifications to your property. When those modifications are made, you must also make the property conform to the zoning code. So if you have an ice-cream parlor in an R1 zoning and you wish to redo the interior...or do some other maintanence work that requires a permit, you would then lose your 'grandfathering' of sorts. So to answer your question more directly: You are severly limited on what you can do with your property in terms of maintence and what not.
June 22, 200717 yr Author Citi Trends coming to Peebles Corner Building Cincinnati, 6/18/07 A Citi Trends store will be going into the retail space at 911-915 East McMillan Street. Those familiar with the area may remember this as the Family Dollar and the Payless Shoes(later Flingz restaurant) spaces. Citi Trends offers discounted apparel for men, women and kids. The publicly-traded company, with over 160 stores nationwide, is headquartered in Savannah, Georgia. This store will be their ninth in Ohio and their second in Greater Cincinnati. Their other local store is in the Hilltop Plaza, just north of Mount Healthy. Citi Trends website WINDOWS LIVE BIRD'S EYE VIEW GOOGLE AERIAL MAP http://buildingcincinnati.blogspot.com/2007/06/citi-trends-coming-to-peebles-corner.html Parking lot development studied for village of Blanchester Wilmington News Journal, 6/20/07 The old Dewey parking lot could be transformed into an area in downtown Blanchester where families could gather, special events could take place there or people could just stop and visit or rest. The proposed development becoming a reality depends on whether or not the Blanchester Downtown Development Committee can obtain grant money to help finance the project. Mark Paul, an architect from the Blackhawk area, presented plans for a combined park, playground and additional parking spaces when Blanchester Village Council met in regular session Thursday. Paul said several projects have been discussed. He showed preliminary plans to council and requested they be approved so the committee can start looking for available grant money to help finance the project. "Once we know we can get grants and how much, then we will come back to council and say this is what's available," Paul said. Many opine on Loveland taxes, YMCA Loveland Herald, 6/19/07 More residents are speaking out against a tax increase city officials are still advocating. Voters rejected a 0.2 income tax levy May 8. The increase would have brought the city's income tax rate to 1.2 percent, and generated funds for a Loveland YMCA facility, a project valued at $9.5 million. According to city memos and recent interviews, the levy failed for primarily two reasons: * Many weren't happy with the conceptual design of the Loveland YMCA - especially the pool. * Many thought it was unfair to pay additional income taxes, and pay for a membership to the YMCA.
June 22, 200717 yr Projects could catalyze western riverfront BY DAN MONK | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER June 22, 2007 SEDAMSVILLE - Sleepy Sedamsville could explode into one of Cincinnati's new development hot zones, thanks to a pair of projects worth a combined $100 million, each within a stone's throw of the Ohio River. Cincinnati City Council is expected to vote next week on a zone change to enable a long-awaited retail project, known as "The Yards." Oakley developer Rob Smyjunas has been working since 2005 to bring big-box retail tenants to a 65-acre site along U.S. 50 near Fairbanks Avenue. Smyjunas said Lowe's home improvement store has signed a letter of intent for a store on the site. He's hoping to land a second big-box retail anchor for the project. It could eventually include more than 1 million square feet of hotel, office and entertainment tenants, according to planning documents submitted to the city. Just a few blocks east of The Yards, Western Hills developer Ray Brown is planning a 37-unit condominium project on a roughly 5-acre site with river and city views. He declined to comment, but West Side development activist Pete Witte has seen the plans. Witte said the project includes three mid-rise condo towers at the foot of Price Hill with a two-story parking garage and four floors of two- to three-bedroom units. Sale prices start at $400,000. Cincinnati Councilman John Cranley welcomes the development pressures that are likely to build from the twin projects. "It's inevitable that people discover the value of that river," said Cranley. "It's an exciting time for the western riverfront. There's a relatively cheap cost of land versus other parts of town that have developed already. I think people are hoping it'll be another Eastern Avenue."
June 22, 200717 yr I say leave that area for industrial uses...the city is very slim on them in the first place when you consider the demand at the same time. Concentrating retail and entertainment closer to downtown should be key. A Wal-Mart over there would do nothing more for the residents of Delhi and the surrounding areas. Either give them something new or don't bother...I'd personally say that connecting Delhi and those areas to downtown is a better alternative. Widen River Rd, build a streetcar and/or lightrail, or whatever...just make it easier for the southern westsiders to access SOMETHING!
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