The Miami Township Board of Trustees met in special session on July 24, 2007 at the Miami Township Civic Center. Chairperson Kendal Tracy called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was given. Fiscal Officer called the role. Present were Edwin H. Humphrey, Mary Makley Wolff and Ken Tracy.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Tracy recused himself from the public hearing and left the building. Vice-chairman, Mary Makley will preside over the hearing.
Notice was given that the Public Hearing is being held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at the Miami Township Civic Building, 6101 Meijer Drive, before the Miami Township Board of Trustees to review Miami Township Case 519, Doug Portman /IOS Properties..
The Clermont County Planning Commission at its meeting on May 22, 2007 voted to recommend approval for the zoning change.
The Clermont County Commissioners did not adopt the staff recommendation.
Miami Township Rural Commission voted to recommend approval on June 7, 2007 with the following conditions:
1. The applicant submit a revised plan showing the additional parking as required.
2. The applicant submit a revised landscape plan that shows the landscape buffers
3. The applicant prepare and submit a photometric plan
These submissions should be made before the Trustees Public Hearing.
The Miami Township Rural Zoning Commission did not adopt the Community Development Director's recommendation to deny the case.
Community Development Director's explanation of Case 519
The applicant is requesting the rezoning of a one-acre parcel from R-1 Single Family Residence to “O-1” Professional Office. The property is located at 564 Wards Corner Road. The predominant zoning in the area is “R-1” Single Family and the predominant land use is single-family homes. However, the subject lot is located in a transition area with office and commercial uses to the west.
The 2005 VISION2025 Plan has designated this area as “Maintain Present Character.” The character of the area is predominantly single-family residential. The applicant has not provided any evidence that the character of the area has changed to justify a zone change.
The applicant is requesting a two-story building from the front and side but will appear as a one-story building from the rear due to a slope to the property. The building is similar to the existing building, on the site, in design and building materials. The two buildings will share a common access on Wards Corner Road. The applicant is proposing a mound system; there is no sanitary sewer system in the area.
PROPONENT
Doug Portman, 6321 Pine Cove Lane, addressed the Board. His practice is in the current building and has outgrown the space. He wishes to build another building to address this problem. His desire is to stay within the township. He said that he tried to speak with the neighbors to address their concerns. He feels that the building would be an asset to Miami Township.
ADJOINING PROPERTY OWNERS
Kenneth Owens, 568 Wards Corner Road, spoke opposing the building - citing traffic and lack of sewers.
Al Grill, 518 Blackhawk Trail, spoke in opposition. He feels that storm water will be a problem due to parking lot paving and lack of storm and sanitary sewers.
Mike Shraer, 555 Wards Corner Road, addressed the Board in opposition to the zone change. He feels that it will devalue the adjoining properties.
Bill Urban, 557 Wards Corner Road, is in opposition to the rezoning. He does not want an office building in his front yard.
Chris Combs, 6385 Indian Oaks, opposes the rezoning. He feels that the original VISION2025 Plan should be kept in place.
Sue Lewis, 547 Blackhawk Trail, agrees with those in opposition. She also adds that the property was residential when the owners bought it, and that there are other buildings that are available in the area. She is concerned about commercial creep. She would like to keep commercial development to original plans.
David Good, 6379 Pawnee Ridge, reiterates the opposition to the development. He wants a workshop for those interested, and a new plan developed because this is a crucial area. He wants the Board to adopt Mr. Fronk's proposal.
CONCERNED CITIZENS
Martha Clark, 6348 Pawnee Ridge, she is in opposition to the rezoning.
Spencer Bomar, 709 Deer Trail Court, spoke in favor of the rezoning. He thinks that the building would blend in with the neighborhood and would be an asset. He doesn't think that the building is creating traffic problems, but that the proximity of residential development to the Interstate is what creates traffic.
Diane Bomar, 709 Trail Court, is also in favor of rezoning the area. She thinks that the commercial problems are from a BP station in the area. She thinks that the building would be esthetically pleasing and an asset.
Lori Martin, 547 Kickapoo Circle, is opposed to the building.
Bill Murray, 6205 Hickory Ridge Drive, is opposed to the rezoning due to his fear of commercial creep.
Gary Huber, 1410 Gibson Road, addressed the Board in favor of the development. He feels that the building would bring healthcare to the neighborhood, is attractive, and offers benefit to the area tax basis.
Linda Evans, 885 Miami Ridge Drive, is also in favor of the building. She doesn't feel that the building would necessarily bring property values down, and would not increase the traffic through the residential area. She believes that it would be an asset to the area.
James Leonard, 547 Kickapoo Circle, is opposed to the rezoning due to commercial creep. He doesn't dislike the building; he just doesn't want commercial development.
Arlene Wise, 224 Riva Ridge Court, Loveland, is an employee of Dou Portman. She spoke in favor of the development, and to the necessity of growing the space to meet the demand of the business.
Julie Young, 6360 Pawnee Ridge Drive, spoke in opposition to the development. She says that adequate notification was not provided of the meeting.
Ann Kime, 8095 Winters Lane, is in favor of the development. She feels that the healthcare offered would be an asset to the Township.
Stacy Mellett, 6805 Fairwind Court, is in favor of the rezoning. She likes the idea of the medical care being close, and feels that the development is attractive and would be an asset.
Mike Herrman, 6739 Miamiwoods Drive, is in favor of the rezoning. He likes the idea that Doug Portman wants to invest in his home community.
Carl Schwartz, 1646 Fairway Crest, spoke in favor of the new building. He feels that it brings jobs, increased tax base and increased services to the Township.
Pat McMahon, 6366 Pawnee Ridge, is opposed to the rezoning. She wants to stick with the original vision.
Jim Breyer, 6376 Pawnee Ridge Drive, is opposed to the rezoning. He sees no reason for the new building.
Theresa Conover, 909 St. Rt. 131, is opposed to the rezoning. She thinks that it is a bad idea for planning purposes.
Emmet Winslow, 6366 Pawnee Ridge, is opposed to the rezoning.
Ann Sabo, 1620 Fairway Crest, is in favor of the rezoning.
Rodney J. Sabo, 1620 Fairway Crest, is in favor of the rezoning.
Betty Breyer, 6376 Pawnee Ridge Drive, spoke in opposition to the building.
Bob Evans, 885 Miami Ridge, addressed the Trustees in favor of the building. He views it as a positive for the community.
Ken Kanar, 6417 Pleasant Run, is opposed to the building. He feels that the building is under planned.
Valerie Ervin, 6724 Loveland Miamiville Road, is opposed to the rezoning.
Tonnie Gear, 5948 Price Road, is in favor of the rezoning.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Ferry read the following correspondence:
o Ronald Smith, 607 Woodburn Lane, Loveland, Oh, is in favor of the rezoning.
o David Chase, Pleasant Run, Loveland, Oh, is in favor of the building.
o Marjorie Blair, 6583, Trailwoods Drive, Loveland, Oh is in favor of the rezoning.
o Brian and Amy Ewald, 964 Palomar Road, Loveland, Oh are in support of the rezoning.
Community Development Director Recommendations
There are a number of issues:
1. What is potential land use on a parcel-by parcel bases.
2. A plan of land use for the corridor should be developed to remove uncertainty about the encroachment of commercial development on the area.
3. The Zoning Commission recommended approval on completing a revised parking plan, revised landscaping plan, and a photometric plan.
The Community Development Director recommends that the rezoning request be denied.
Mr. Humphrey moved to close the open portion of the meeting, and Ms. Wolff seconded. Upon roll call, all voted “AYE.”
Hr. Humphrey believes that the building is pleasing, but is against the zoning change. Hw said that he feels there is already a transitional zoned office space between the business and residential and that the office space should not be extended further. He feels that the Township should stay with the VISION2025 Plan.
Ms. Wolff is opposed to the zoning change. She is proud of the VISION2025 Plan, but feels that it must be periodically updated. The community will continue to grow. She was glad to hear the diverse viewpoints given with a level of civilization. She also feels that it is time to stop the commercial creep in the area.
Mr. Humphrey made a motion to overturn the Zoning Commission's recommendation and deny the zoning change. Ms. Wolff seconded. Upon roll call, all voted “AYE.”
ATTEST: _________________________________________________________
Larry Fronk, Acting Fiscal Officer
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Mary Makley Wolff Vice-Chairperson