“We have one opportunity to do this right,” said Mike Robinette, economic development director for Middletown.
Part of the redevelopment plan includes updating the zoning rules for the C2 district, the area of development that includes hotels and the vacant Score car dealership by the highway.
While no businesses will be forced to change existing developments if the ordinances are approved by the planning commission, new businesses or those that redo their storefronts will be subject to them, Robinette said.
City officials have met with each business in the area over the past several weeks to discuss the proposed changes and any concerns they have. Some tweaking to the zoning proposal have been made as a result, such as allowing parking beside the building as well as the back, as was originally outlined, according to the proposal.
The zoning changes will be finalized in January. The planning commission will review the plan in February.
With 300 acres of land left to be developed between the C2 district and the Renaissance area, Robinette said it’s the city’s hope that the two areas will be able to blend together into an attractive and advanced development.
“This is a good opportunity for us to leverage what is here already. Atrium has been an economic driver to draw similar businesses to the area,” he said. “Ultimately, the interchange at (Ohio) 122 is going to be what Middletown is known for in the long run.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.
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