LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: Dave Stanton

  • The MYTH: “Grow or Die” may be choking Loveland

    The MYTH: “Grow or Die” may be choking Loveland

    by David Miller

    David Miller, Publisher and Editor

    Loveland, Ohio – “What may look good on a zoning map for rezoning and what a developer is wanting to develop, may not always be in the best interest of the City of Loveland and the Loveland homeowners and taxpayers,” is what resident Dave Stanton told the Planning and Zoning Commission on May 4 during their meeting to make a decision on whether to approve 209 Drees homes on the 111-acre Graville site that had recently been annexed into the city.

    You can watch his presentation in the LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video we just published, read the prepared text of his talk, and review the financial report he presented to the Commission.

    Stanton continued, “This commission needs to have a full understanding of the impacts on our existing infrastructure, impacts on the traffic, impacts on the biggest investment people make in Loveland with their homes, and the impacts on the City’s finances.”

    Resident Sharon Scovanner assisted Stanton in preparing the financial report. In an interview after the Meeting, Scovanner said that there should be someone on City staff doing what she and Stanton did, as part of their job when new developments are proposed in the City.

    The Commission ultimately decided to reject the re-zoning request, (Drees zoning denied) (Video interview with Lauren Enda and Sharon Scovanner after they defeat)

    Let’s take a moment to understand the decisions made by this commission have both short term and long-term impacts on the Loveland community. Both positive and negative. What may look good on a zoning map for rezoning and what a developer is wanting to develop, may not always be in the best interest of the City of Loveland and the Loveland Homeowners/Taxpayers. This commission needs to have a full understanding of the impacts on our existing infrastructure, impacts on the traffic, impacts on the biggest investment people make in Loveland with their homes, and the impacts on the City’s finances. Before any SPD rezoning requests has a decision made.

What you have in front of you is a Financial Analysis Report focused on the impact of adding an additional 209 homes both in property tax and income tax. The information in the report is comprised from public data and supporting documentation from the City. 

As you can see from the Property and Income Tax summary. The City of Loveland’s annual Property Tax income for 209 homes would be $ 255,660.00. The additional costs to the City of Loveland to fully support the Drees development with Police, Fire / EMS, Roads, and Maintenance would be $ 294,099.00. This creates a deficit in spending of (-$ 38,440) annually against the Property Tax revenue income. The Property Tax analysis supported detail is included in the Financial Analysis Report.

The City of Loveland’s annual Income Tax revenue for the 209 homes would be $ 105,300.00 based on 135 homes with a median income of $ 150,000 per year. 74 patio homes would be retirees who pay no income tax. As confirmed with Mark Medlar, Director of Finance only 52% of working Loveland residents pay Loveland Income Tax. The 2022 City of Loveland budget is $ 7,965,755.00. The 2021 City of Loveland population is 13,485 which equates to $ 590.71 per resident in budget expenditures. In using conservative numbers in the increase to the City of Loveland population, based on the Drees development, would be 620.5 additional residents. With this 4.6% increase in population to a total of 14,106 residents at $ 590.71 per resident would increase the City’s annual expense budget to $ 8,332,292.00. The increase in the City’s budget of $ 366,537 to cover the new residents in comparing to the City’s income tax from the Drees Development of $ 105,300.00. This creates a deficit in expense spending of (-$ 261,237.00). The Income Tax analysis supported detail is included in the Financial Analysis Report.

This financial analysis does not include additional expenses that Drees should be responsible for regarding this development. Drees would need to pay for the improvements to O’Bannonville road to handle the additional traffic and pay for the half mile MSD sewer upgrade on O’Bannonville road. As MSD has no Capital Funds to pay for this sewer upgrade. Drees has stated in their April 22nd letter to the City of Loveland regarding infrastructure “Responsibility will be on Drees to make the necessary improvements”. The city should bare no cost for the MSD sewer upgrade and road improvements to O’Bannonville road.  

As you can see from the Financial Analysis showing the negative impact to the City of Loveland’s expenses with regards to Property and Income Tax Revenue. This is not a good Investment for the Taxpayers of Loveland and reflects deficit spending.  

Going back to my opening statement of “Understand the decisions made by this commission have both short term and long-term impacts on the Loveland community”. A decision that was made by this commission on the rezoning to Multi-Family from Medium Residential for Blossom Hill has had a direct negative impact on Sentry Hill homes. Your decisions have made some of the Sentry Hill homes unsellable based on your rezoning recommendation with Multi-Family structures being built right next to Sentry Hill.  

So again, think about your decisions being made with the full understanding of the impact to the City and the people of Loveland.

    The Grailville Archive

    Because posterity may wish to know.

  • City Hall won’t cancel public hearing despite stay at home recommendations from State and plea from residents

    City Hall won’t cancel public hearing despite stay at home recommendations from State and plea from residents

    Loveland, Ohio – There is a public hearing Tuesday night at Loveland City Hall – to hear from the public and despite resident’s pleas about their COVID 19 concern, it will go on as scheduled. The legal requirement to avail the residents of the city the opportunity to make their case face-to-face with their elected council members whether or not they want condos built on North Second Street (St. Rt. 48) south of Sentry Hill subdivision with the potential use to build 25 condominiums.

    Resident Dave Stanton who lives in Sentry Hill wrote to City Manager Dave Kennedy and his assistant Tom Smith on November 16 outlining several reasons for delaying the hearing:

    “With the number of people that want to speak at the Public Hearing, we are requesting that the Public Hearing scheduled for November 24th be postponed until the COVID Levels return to Level 2 in all three counties and the State of Ohio changes their advisories to allow Public Gatherings. This request is for the best of the City Council, City Staff, and Loveland Residents in following the advisories and staying healthy.”

    A Level 3 Public Emergency means there is very high exposure and spread. The advisory is to, “Limit activities as much as possible.”

    Over the past two weeks, there have been 1,365 COVID 19 cases in Clermont County, 5,602 in Hamilton County, and 1,556 in Warren County. The revised health order issued by the Ohio Department of Health on November 20 said minimize the spread of COVID-19 through airborne particles passing between people in close contact there should be no activities in open congregate areas. Local doctors are pleading for people to stay home.

    Stanton told the City administrators that the rezoning public hearing is very important to all residents however specifically the residents of North Loveland who wish to be heard in person and in front of the people they elected.

    “Our concerns are with the current COVID virus at Level 3 in all 3 counties (Hamilton, Clermont, Warren) and participating in a public meeting based on the current advisories from Governor DeWine on Public Gatherings,” Stanton wrote. “Even with the City following the current CDC COVID guidelines, the 3 counties continue to see a significant increase in the number of new daily COVID cases.”

    Stanton pointed out the State advisories on public meetings:

    • Avoid gatherings, limit contact with people outside of your household, and reconsider holiday plans
    • Reconsider hosting or attending gatherings of any size – this includes with friend and family

    When Stanton did not hear back from Kennedy or Smith he followed up in another email on November 18 asking, “Can you please provide an update on this request for delaying the Rezoning Public Hearing in regards to the current COVID advisories?” He concluded with, “I need to let our residents know the status of the Public Hearing”

    With “social distancing guidelines in place in the council chamber the occupancy has been greatly reduced. With 7 council members, the City Manager and his assistant, the Council Clerk, the city attorney, the Finance Director, police and fire chief, there are but a handful of seats remaining for an audience. A public hearing on a subject as controversial as this project is would, pre-pandemic, be expected to garner 50 or more attendees.

    The response Stanton received from Smith was a pert, “The public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 24th .”

    Stanton replied today copying all of the city council with a renewed plea on behalf of the 92 residents who have signed a petition opposing the re-zoning. He also attached the petition to his email along with the names of residents and the comments his group has gathered on their “No-Rezoning” website. So far 124 comments are opposing the condo project.

    Stanton’s plea today to postpone the hearing said:

    Dear Council Members;

    We the citizens of Loveland are extremely disappointed in the City’s position and the response on not delaying this Rezoning Public Hearing until this current COVID crisis situation improves. This is based on Governor DeWine’s advisory on Mass Gatherings and all 3 Counties being at Level 3.

    We have many people that want to speak directly to the City Council on this rezoning to have their voices heard. But, they are uncomfortable in attending a Mass Gathering with the risks associated with COVID under the current state and local county advisories. They will not be able to attend tomorrow’s public hearing.

    We ask that you reconsider your position and delay this Rezoning Public Hearing until things improve and you can hear directly from the Citizens of Loveland. This rezoning is a very important issue for North Loveland and all of the Loveland Citizens in regards to following the current Comprehensive Plan and the lack of a plan on solving the RT 48 traffic congestion issues.

    Attached are the responses from the no-rezoning website and the signed petition in opposition to this rezoning.

    Thank you,
    Dave Stanton

    Joe Farruggia with Zicka Homes has been trying to rezone property off North Second Street (St. Rt. 48) south of the Sentry Hill subdivision with the potential use to build a 28-unit condominium development called the Blossom Hill Project since the first week in June. He has submitted three variations of the proposal, the latest on October 20. The current proposal is to limit the project to 25 or fewer individual units.

    The site is approximately 5.5 acres on St. Rt. 48 adjacent to the Sentry Hill subdivision and on the opposite side of the street of the Loveland Health Care facility.

    Council is expected to make the first of two required votes on the re-zoning tomorrow night.

    For more background on the condo proposal and video of resident opposition:

    For 3rd time Zicka is back requesting condo approval

    By Loveland Magazine -Oct 28, 2020

  • For 3rd time Zicka is back requesting condo approval

    For 3rd time Zicka is back requesting condo approval

    Loveland, Ohio – Joe Farruggia with Zicka Homes has been trying to rezone property off North Second Street (St. Rt. 48) south of the Sentry Hill subdivision with the potential use to build a 28-unit condominium development called the Blossom Hill Project since the first week in June. He has submitted three variations of the proposal, the latest on October 20. The current proposal is to limit the project to 25 or fewer individual units.

    The site is approximately 5.5 acres on St. Rt. 48 adjacent to the Sentry Hill subdivision and on the opposite side of the street of the Loveland Health Care facility.

    Previously, on June 24th and July 21, the Planning and Zoning Commission held public hearings for the zoning map amendment and recommended approval of the amendment. However, each time, Farruggia chose not to move forward with the processes which would be to have a public hearing before the City Council.

    The latest iteration was also approved by the Planning Commission last week and sent to City Council for their consideration. The recommendation from Assistant City Manager Tom Smith is for Council to schedule a public hearing for the re-zoning on November 24.

    The developer is asking for changes to the Loveland Zoning Map from the current zoning of Medium Density Residential to Residential Multi-Family.

    The recommendation of the Commission according to Smith included the following conditions:

    1. The proposed housing development for the property as submitted o Planning and Zoning Commission must be actively under construction within eighteen (18) months from the date of approval by City Council in order to maintain the zoning;
    2. The approval shall be withdrawn, and the zoning shall revert to Residential Medium Density (R-MD) should the eighteen (18) month condition lapse.
    3. Approval shall be exclusive to this applicant. No transferees or assignees of the applicant are subject to this approval.

    Smith also said the developer agreed to requests made by Sentry Hill resident, Dave Stanton. These items were also part of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s motion for recommendation:

    1. Construct a four to five-inch earth berm, fully landscaped with trees and grass, to be constructed along the property line of the two homes in the Sentry Hill subdivision and maintained by the new subdivision’s HOA.
    2. Street lighting and exterior lighting on the townhomes be designed to prevent light pollution into the Sentry Hill Subdivision.
    3. Townhomes to be constructed, at 40 feet, shall not exceed the height of the referenced home of 214 Sentry Hill Drive.
    4. Limit the number of townhomes to be built at 25 or less.
    5. No dumpsters or centralized garage collection. Individual residential trash and recycling pickup to be consistent with all the residential surrounding areas.
    6. No stand-alone garages or sheds.
    7. Exterior architecture and materials (brick, stone, and Hardie Plank) shall be consistent with the look and feel of neighboring communities.

    Even though there are COVID 19 restrictions for the number of audience members in the hearing chamber, five residents appeared to express their displeasure with the re-zoning. No residents spoke in favor of the rezoning or the condos.

    These signs were erected in July by citizens opposed to multi-family zoning adjacent to their homes on St. Route 48 in North Loveland.

    Residents have pointed out that the proposal must follow the guidance of the City Master Plan specifically for North State Route 48. They say the project must maintain similar development densities, preserve open space, a rural atmosphere, and assure that there is adequate infrastructure to support the development as mandated in the current plan. They cite the current gridlock of Historic Downtown that must be addressed before the development moves forward.

    City Manager Dave Kennedy has argued that the current Comprehensive Strategic Plan (2002) is old and not in line with the current needs of the City. The City is currently rewriting a new master plan for the City. Residents say re-writing the plan is well and good, but until there is a new plan the City and Zicka are governed by the one that exists.

    Residents of South 48 also protest that adding so many residential units will add to their already current traffic nightmares of trying drive into and out of Historic Downtown.

    During the hearing, Tom Scovanner told the Commission they should be skeptical of the studies Zicka presented to them. One presenter represented that they had prepared their study for the Commission, and Scovanner said, “No, they represent Zicka.” He posed the question to the Commission of whether they would have ever seen the study if it did not turn out favorably to the developer.

    Scovanner, a litigator for Clermont County also said in no uncertain terms that the P&Z cannot do anything the Loveland law doesn’t allow them to do. Holding up the code, he said, “You’re bound by these codes. This doesn’t comport with the Comprehensive Master Plan.”

    Tom Scovanner spoke to Planning Commission against the re-zoning for condos on Rt. 48.

    Dave Stanton spoke to Planning Commission against the re-zoning for condos on Rt. 48.

    Sue Ann Walker spoke to Planning Commission against the re-zoning for condos on Rt. 48.

    Allen Brooks spoke to Planning Commission against the re-zoning for condos on Rt. 48.

    Courtney Hauck spoke to Planning Commission against the re-zoning for 28 condos on Rt. 48.

    You can view the application and proposal that is now before City Council in this document and going to page 14 b. 2020-10-27 City Council – Full Agenda-1355

    BACKGROUND

    Re-zoning for possible 28-Unit condo project proposed for North Second Street (Jun 22, 2020)

    [VIDEOS] Re-zoning for 28-Unit condo project passes Planning Commission muster Jul 23, 2020

    32 unit condo project sent back to P&Z Aug 21, 2020