LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: O’Bannonville Road

  • There are important long-term reasons why it is best for our community that the Drees’ Grailville proposal does not go forward.

    There are important long-term reasons why it is best for our community that the Drees’ Grailville proposal does not go forward.

    Elizabeth Murphy has been an area resident for over 30 years.

    Dear Fellow Loveland Residents,

    It is important that you are aware of a process that is now ongoing involving 110 acres of Grailville land between State Rt. 48 and O’ Bannonville Road. Loveland City Council and the Zoning Board will have to make a decision on the Drees Homes’ request for a change in the zoning status to allow them to build 209 homes on that land.  

    The initial public hearing drew a standing-room-only crowd. Everyone who spoke, with the exception of the Drees representatives and one real estate agent, requested that the Zoning Board say NO to the Drees proposal. There are important long-term reasons why it is best for our community that the Drees proposal does not go forward.

    We all know the traffic situation in downtown is bad now. The construction of a large subdivision on this Grail land will initially cause several years of construction trucks and dirt funneling into town from State Rt. 48 and O’Bannonville Road. As the houses are built and sold regular traffic of several thousand car “trips” through town will phase in. This will never stop.

    Our school system is currently overflowing recommended capacity. Extra trailers are needed for space. It is estimated that 4-5 additional classrooms of children are likely to be added by this subdivision. We are all painfully aware of the costs that would be incurred to build new schools, as well as the stresses on children and teachers involved in overcrowding. Again, once this increase is allowed to happen it is unlikely to be reversed.

    There are also serious general infrastructure issues relating to water. The Loveland water system is a series of wells which when run at high demand can drop the water table in a significant way. One must ask at what point will this become a problem. Water pressure has at times been an issue and more homes drawing water cannot but aggravate this.  

    The other end of this problem is the management of the additional sewage. The sewer line under East Loveland Avenue is outdated, and fragile, and it is questionable whether it is adequate to handle a large new neighborhood. The receiving Polk Run sewage treatment plant has no more room to expand. There has been no confirmation of sewer availability, capacity, or access compliant with MSD standards. Will the City of Loveland be put in a position of providing this infrastructure at Loveland residents’ expense?  With the Little Miami River so nearby it is crucial that there be no chance of contamination.

    Natural rainwater run-off must also be considered. The land that White Pillars and Grailville are on slopes to the northwest.  The existing homes along O’Bannonville Road are all in the path of this natural drainage and vulnerable to surface flows or overflowing of Bares Run Creek in times of heavy rain. The new roads and houses will eliminate acreage which currently absorbs the rainwater and so more will continue on downhill.

    The final thing I need to speak of is the special quality of this particular piece of land. For about 80 years women of The Grail have lived or worked there. They have tended the land, holding it, knowing the sacred nature of this place. As the Grail has shared access to their land with others for walking and connecting with nature, many have become aware of the spiritual calm which it provides. In today’s world, we need this more than ever.

    In conclusion, I would encourage everyone who feels that we do not need another big subdivision on this Grailville land, with all the negative side-effects, to please make your views known. Attend the public meetings (the next is on May 4), write to or call members of the Zoning Board and City Council. 

    In our country, we have a government of citizens for citizens. Our officials have a duty of honor to listen to the members of the community they serve. They are us; and therefore, we must speak so they may be guided.

    Sincerely, 

    Elizabeth Murphy

  • Grailville “options” 110 acres to Drees

    Grailville “options” 110 acres to Drees

    by David Miller

    Miami Township, Ohio – Loveland Magazine has confirmed today that Grailville and the Drees Company have signed a purchase agreement for development of 110 acres on the south side of their property located on O’Bannonville Road east of downtown Loveland.

    In March of 2019 the Loveland Board of Education entered into a contract for an option to purchase the real estate, however, last January after voters said they were not willing to put up the money, the Board voted to cancel the contract. The Board had hoped to use the land for the construction of a new campus with three school buildings hoping the schools would open in September of 2022.

  • City exploring options for new downtown fire station

    City exploring options for new downtown fire station

    Loveland, Ohio – The City and the Loveland Symmes Fire Department are exploring options for re-locating Fire Station 63 currently located in Historic Downtown on Second Street. It houses an engine company, a ladder company, and a medic unit. Station 63 is also home to Loveland’s original horse drawn steamer.

    Fire Station 63 in Historic Downtown

    The focus group will meet on Monday August 24 to review a “Fire Station 63 Relocation Report” prepared by MSA Design. You can review the report HERE. The report was paid for from “Fire Funds” at a cost of $12,000.

    The report recommends locating a new Station 63 at 227 East Loveland Avenue.

    Two other locations were studied, one at the corner of Oakland Road and Founders Drive, and the other on a street that may or may not be built connecting Oakland Road to O’Bannonville Road. Both of these alternate locations would have been on a portion of property if the Loveland City School District had purchased land from Grailville for new school buildings. The report says that since the exact locations that might be available for the construction of a new station at Gralville are unknown at this time, neither of these alternate options were studied in great detail.

    In the executive summary of their report MSA says in part”

    “The Department has been working out of a facility in downtown Loveland for many years. Over time, the suitability of this location has been compromised by increased traffic near the station. Additionally, a great deal of redevelopment has been going on in downtown Loveland, making the current station site a potential economic development opportunity. The construction of a new station would also allow the Department to adjust the size and layout to better serve their needs now and into the future.”

    The site proposed for a new facility is east of its current location, at 227 East Loveland Avenue. The site consists of two parcels, one of which is already owned by the Loveland Firefighters Association, while the other is owned by City taxpayers. The Firefighters Association’s parcel houses an existing meeting hall (Fraternal Order of Moose Lodge) while the City resident’s parcel houses the Fire Department’s fire training tower, a public works facility and parking with access to outdoor recreational facilities including the East Loveland Nature Preserve.

    The Fraternal Order of Moose Lodge on East Loveland Avenue where a new fire station might be built.

    MSA’s report says that a new Station 63 could be constructed on the East Loveland Avenue site for between 5 and 5.8 million dollars ($300 – $350 per s.f.) in today’s dollars. MSA notes the fact that these numbers are given in 2020 dollars and that should be considered when budgeting for a future project.

    City Manager Dave Kennedy told Loveland Magazine today that if a new station is built it will be paid for using the City’s Fire Fund. He anticipates that the City will sell bonds, and he does not anticipate a tax increase to pay off the bonds.

    Members of the Fire Station 63 Relocation Focus Group are, Kathleen Eldredge, Allison Ellis, and Larry Flynn. Also in the group is LSFD Captain Bruce Hawk, representing the fire department, Councilmen Andy Bateman and Ted Phelps representing City Council, and City Manager Dave Kennedy representing City staff.

    A fire training tower is already located on property where a replacement for Fire Station 63 might be built.

    Kennedy said, “The Firefighter Association owns (part of) the land, They have indicated that if the City desires to build a fire station on that site they would donate the property to the city as they did the property to build the salt dome, the fire tower, and the nature trail parking lot. In the end the City of Loveland would own all of the land and all improvements provided the committee recommends and the City choses that site.”

    The City stores road salt on property where a replacement for Fire Station 63 might be built.

    The current fire station sits on part of the land from the old City Hall and fire station that was destroyed in a fire in the early 1970’s and is owned by the City of Loveland

    Kennedy said about the current fire station, “Returning the property to commercial use could be a possibility or council could choose another public use. At the end of the day the highest best use for the city with all factors considered would be presented to council.” He added that the proceeds of any sale of the current station and property, “would go back to the fund that was utilized to construct the Fire Station which was the fire fund.”

    Kennedy added, “The current fire station is nearly 50 years old and was built to accommodate our volunteer fire department at that time. The Fire Station was built after the city hall and fire station was destroyed by fire in the early 1970’s. Operating out of the fire station is challenging for today’s modern fire service with on duty career firefighters. The station doesn’t provide quick access to apparatus and is challenging to respond from because of location and size of the front apron. Fire apparatus barley fits into the facility and is often damaged due to the size of the garage doors. The station doesn’t have safety and health features that are necessary for the hazards facing firefighters today.”

    The City Manager was asked, however did not offer an estimate of when a recommendation might be forwarded to City Council or an estimate of when construction might start if they do.

  • Thought you knew how school buses will get to Grailville? (See proposed street re-configuration)

    Thought you knew how school buses will get to Grailville? (See proposed street re-configuration)

    This illustration* shows the reconfiguration of the streets in Historic Downtown in the City of Loveland’s Downtown Strategic Development Plan

    (“Right Click” this Map and open a new tab or window for an enlarged view)

    Intersection reconfiguration – Develop parcels

     • Explore, design and fund a reconfigured Loveland Avenue at State Route 48/Second Street.

    • Confirm feasibility of Broadway Square-About.

    • Explore, design and fund a reconfigured Broadway and State Route 48/Second Street intersection.

    • Develop sites created by reconfigured Loveland Avenue and Second Street reconfiguration.

    Loveland, Ohio – The 5-10 year timeline of the City of Loveland’s proposed Downtown Strategic Development Plan could throw a wrecking ball into the current strategy of how to route school buses, EMS, Fire, Police, and other rush-hour vehicular traffic to a proposed new school campus at Grailville.

    Under the Loveland School District’s facility master plan adopted on April 16, they will be constructing a new Pre-K through fifth-grade campus on 110 acres at the property known as Grailville, located on O’Bannonville Road, east of downtown Loveland. Preliminary plans show the main entrance to the new school campus to be on St. Rt. 48 near St. Columban School and the White Pillars Subdivision. There will also be ingress and egress on O’Bannonville Road.

    The real estate is currently owned by the Grail, an Ohio nonprofit organization. The District has an option to purchase the vacant land.

    The map above shows the reconfiguration of the streets in Historic Downtown in the City of Loveland’s Downtown Strategic Development Plan that was approved by the Loveland Planning and Zoning Commission this past August and by Loveland City Council on September 10.

    The Downtown Strategic Development Plan proposes placing a new commercial development into a space freed-up when West Loveland Avenue and St. Route 48 is bisected. Also, a “Square-About” replaces the current five-way intersection at St. Route 48, Hanna Avenue, 2nd Street, and Broadway.

    On July 26 the District passed a resolution asking voters to approve a combined 16.78-mill Operating and Bond levy that if passed on November 5, will pave the way to the Grailville campus opening in the fall of 2022.

    The street re-configuration is proposed to be implemented within 5 to 10 years, i.e., 2024-2029.

    TIMELINE

    March 22, 2019 – District acquires an option to purchase 110 acres at Grailville for 3 new school buildings (Pre-K through fifth-grade campus on 110 acres).

    April 16, 2019 – Loveland School District’s facility Master Plan adopted that proposes Pre-K through fifth-grade campus on 110 acres at Grailville).

    July 26, 2019 – School District puts combined 16.78-mill Operating and Bond levy on the ballot that if passed on November 5, will pave the way to the Grailville campus opening in the fall of 2022.

    August, 2019 – Downtown Strategic Development Plan approved by the Loveland Planning and Zoning Commission with bisected West Loveland Avenue and St. Route 48, and a new “5-Way Intersection”. New commercial development will replace part of current West Loveland Avenue and St. Route 48.

    September, 2019 – Loveland City Council adopts the Downtown Strategic Development Plan reccomended by the Planning Commission.

    September 2022 – Proposed Grailville Campus opens.

    2024-2029 – West Loveland Avenue and St. Route 48 in Historic Downtown are bisected, making space for new commercial development.

    2024-2029 – “Square-About” replaces five-way intersection at St. Route 48, Hanna Avenue, 2nd Street, and Broadway.

    Read the City of Loveland’s proposed Downtown Strategic Development Plan: Downtown Master Plan (Go to page 51 to read “YEARS 5 TO 10 AND BEYOND”)

     

    (*The under-layer of the illustration (MAP) above is taken from Loveland’s Downtown Strategic Development Plan. Arrows and text have been added to show probable bus and vehicular traffic patterns to a Grailville school campus under the plan)

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    Moving Sale at Wildflower House in Historic Loveland Starts Today

    Some really nice things, in great shape! — including: 2 matching overstuffed armchairs, 4 matching World Market wood tables in various sizes, 5 matching small round wicker side tables, 1 small wicker chest of drawers, 1 lateral file, 10 super-comfy World Market folding wood relaxation chairs with full length cushions, white restroom/bedroom cabinet, monitor, a set of matching rugs – and many small items.