"Residential is the best use," said Scott Astin, a civil engineer who also plans to live in the 43-home development between US 42 and Columbia Road in Union Twp., Warren County.
The land was zoned for light industrial use and adjoins the Columbia Business Park in Lebanon, but Astin and others said the demand was for new homes.
Before Thursday’s meeting, the developers worked out a compromise, adding about five acres of wooded buffer. This satisfied industrial businesses that had opposed the residential development next to their current sites, additional land for expansion.
This last-minute shift left city of Lebanon officials alone against the change, and City Manager Pat Clements said he was unsure how the compromise would have affected the city council's vote on a resolution in opposition.
Supporting the plan were Union Twp. trustees, Warren County staffers and a handful of people indicating they planned to live in homes to be built on the land by Highland Development Partners. A new long-range plan for the township also would rezone the land for residential use.
“We do support the change,” Union Twp. Trustee Chris Koch said. “This is the type of development we want.”
Although residential, the planned development is relatively low density compared with traditional subdivisions, such as a 300-home one planned just south of the Rapp property on a former farm to be annexed by the city of Mason. Lebanon's opposition was complicated by the city's sale of land for this residential development.
Developer Mike Williams estimated the partnership would invest $5 million to $7 million, depending in part on whether septic systems were used or Lebanon agreed to sewer the development.
The rezoning was the subject of multiple hearings and configurations over four months leading up to Thursday’s decision.
In addition to 12 conditions set during previous deliberations, the commissioners required the developer to notify people moving in about potential stench from a nearby compost facility and trains along a rail spur expected to be reactivated by the businesses.
While supporting the rezoning, Commissioner Dave Young said Warren County needed to encourage business development to help for the costs of growth.
“We cannot become simply a bedroom community,” he said.
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