1 February. 2007 | The Western Star

Warren to ask citizens for help

Resident questions why developers but no residents are currently on the advisory committee.

By Daniel Wells – Staff Writer

Warren County officials say they'll be reaching out to residents as they begin work on a rewrite of the county's rural zoning code — but some residents say they already feel shut out of the process.

Turtlecreek Twp. resident Terry Banker drew applause among the nearly 40 residents gathered Tuesday at Hunter Elementary School when she questioned why developers — but no residents — were included on the committee that will advise Lebanon-based McKenna Associates as they rewrite the county's rural zoning code.

The code guides how land in five townships — Franklin, Turtlecreek, Union, Harlan and Washington — will develop in the future.

"When citizens don't have a vote at the table, we don't get the outcomes we want," Banker said. "I want it to be a successful process, and it won't be if citizens aren't allowed to participate in a thoughtful way."

County Planner Bob Ware said trustees from all five townships are included on the committee.

"The county commissioners counted on the trustees as being representative of the citizens that elected them to that office," Ware said. "This is far greater outreach than has ever been done in Warren County."

That outreach includes Tuesday night's update as well as two more meetings planned for this spring once the first draft of the new code is complete.

Residents also may track the process online at co.warren.oh.us/bldGinsp/rewrite.htm.

"The idea is to get the draft text out in front of the public so we can go back and make changes if needed," said McKenna Associates Director Brad Schwab.

Housing density promises to be a contentious issue as the rewrite proceeds. Schwab said McKenna already had interviewed about 25 stakeholders, representing schools, local government, developers and Warren County Soil and Water.

"What we've heard over and over again is we want to preserve the unique qualities of Warren County — the open space, the rural character," Schwab said. "If there's one area where we don't have consensus, it's density."

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4527 or dwells@coxohio.com.