Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

site web  

Over the past decade, much of West Chester Twp. has changed from rural farmland to heavily populated housing developments, retail centers and business or manufacturing facilities. Each of those changes in use required a change in the property's zoning, and the process to complete those changes has multiple state-mandated steps.

A proposed zoning change in West Chester Twp. must first be presented to the Butler County Planning Commission, which holds a hearing to determine how the change might affect the entire county. The commission makes a nonbinding recommendation to the township's zoning commission.

The township zoning commission's monthly meetings provide an opportunity for township residents to express their opinions on the proposed change, and township officials said they take steps beyond those required by the state to notify residents of the hearings.

Ohio Revised Code requires that notification letters be posted in local newspapers and sent to residents whose property abuts the affected property or is across the street from it. West Chester Twp. officials said they also send letters to property owners whose property is within 200 feet of the affected property lines and post signs at the property's road frontage that list the hearing date and a number residents can call for more information.

At the hearing, the commission hears comments, then votes to recommend that township trustees approve or deny the change.

Trustees hold a hearing on the zoning recommendation, at which they open the floor for residents to again express their feelings. At their next meeting, they vote to adopt or deny the commission's recommendation. A unanimous vote by trustees is required to override the zoning commission's recommendation.

Once trustees pass their motion, residents have the chance for a final say on the matter. Residents wishing to put the amendment to a public vote have a 20-day window in which to collect petition signatures. If they collect valid signatures from at least eight percent of the number of votes cast for governor in the most recent election, the zoning amendment will go to a referendum vote.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5127 or mcunningham@coxohio.com.