The board delayed the decision for two weeks, the amount of time it is estimated to take to work out the details of a financing package splitting the cost of extending the sewer line from Lebanon to the interchange.
The Warren County Port Authority, an economic development group established by the county, would own the sewer line, according to a plan unveiled at Tuesday’s meeting by Martin Russell, director of the port authority.
The port authority would pay off long-term debt for the project with property taxes set aside from the Pilot development, as much as $1 million in a reserve fund built with money from Pilot and assessment of the other property owners to cover any shortfall.
“If they all want it, they should pay for it,” Commissioner Dave Young said.
Russell said he needed about two weeks to iron out details and gauge interest from banks. The project would enable development of land in an economic development district formed by Lebanon and Turtlecreek Twp.
Pilot sought approval for the truck stop in 2012, but negotiations, hearings and a lawsuit delayed approval until late 2014.
Pilot agreed to contribute $500,000 toward the project as part of conditions set by the commissioners, but contested in court.
“The lawsuit occurred. The whole thing was put on hold,” Russell said.
On Tuesday, Pilot said it needed permission by mid-June to go ahead with plans to open with an on-site system already approved by Ohio EPA.
Otherwise Pilot said the permit would expire. The company said it still plans to tap into the sewer line, if it is ever built.
“We absolutely would prefer to hook up to a public sewer,” said Brad Alsup of Pilot. “We’d like to go ahead and start construction and get open.”
Neighbors urged the board to require Pilot to pay for a study of degradation of a creek that would carry treated sewage from the plant past their homes.
The daily discharge would jump from 2,500 gallons - from a restaurant already operating on the property - to 20,000 gallons for the full truck stop.
The neighbor group’s spokesman submitted a history of environmental violations by Pilot truck stops around the country.
Another neighbor, Laura Alesi, accused Pilot of “bait and switch again,” by seeking approval with the on-site system.
“When this thing fails, it will come back to me,” Alesi added, referring to the use of public financing.
The board scheduled its decision for 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, June 2.
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