Loveland, Ohio – Lauren Enda called it a “landmark” decision and Sharon Scovanner said she was “overwhelmed” by the support they received.
Last Wednesday, before a standing-room-only crowd, the request to rezone the Grailville property was denied by a 3-1 vote of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Drees Homes had requested the land become a Special Planning District which would have allowed 209 homes on the site.
After many months of leading the effort, residents Lauren Enda and Sharon Scovanner were breathing sighs of relief. The Commission rejected the proposed development of the Grailville site by the Drees Company which included 74 patio homes and 135 traditional-style homes totaling 209 lots. The land is situated between O’Bannonville Road and State Route 48 in Clermont County. The site is approximately 111 acres.
Enda and Scovanner also led a protest rally outside City Hall before the multi-hour meeting.
After the meeting was over, Loveland Magazine asked the two leaders of the movement a few questions about the vote and rezoning in general.
• What arguments were made by the public that swayed the decision?
• Resident Dave Stanton presented an economic analysis tonight of the cost to taxpayers of the Drees’ proposal. Please comment.
• What about the fact that our current zoning code essentially lets developers write the code and map changes they want?
• Should residents vote at the ballot box for Planning and Zoning Commission Members?
• Should all zoning text and map changes be put on the ballot for voters to decide?
The Drees Company representative at the meeting declined to be interviewed.
These photos were taken during the protest rally and during the meeting.
(Reprinted with permission from a social media post of Jamie Smith)
by Jamie Smith
There will be a planning and zoning meeting at Loveland City Hall Wednesday, May 4th at 7 PM, with a demonstration beforehand at 6 PM to rally against the petition Drees is submitting for an (SPD) proposal.
Jamie’s family is often on the Grailville Farm. “My dogs have their absolute biggest smiles here, as do my kids and I.”
The granting of an SPD would allow them to build over 200 homes on the land that was annexed originally for “low-density housing.” This neighborhood of about 206 homes would sit on the south side of the old Grailville property, between Saint Columban Church and the north side of Grailville (their current offices).
The building of yet another non-distinct neighborhood in Loveland would destroy several historically rich and architecturally beautiful buildings that hold much significance in the hearts of many Loveland residents. Even a stranger passing by, with no knowledge of the importance of the work that was done there, is struck at the beauty of the place.
The women (and men) who started the mission here at Grailville were so dedicated to the righteousness of its cause that many of its early devotees are buried on-site, in the loveliest little cemetery on the north side of O’Bannonville Road.
Some of the reasons I feel very strongly against the actions aimed at adding yet another subdivision to our previously rolling river valley and forested areas are as follows:
1. It is my favorite place in Loveland, exactly as it is, in its natural state. My dogs have their absolute biggest smiles here, as do my kids and I.
2. I and my children have gained much peace and happiness from our exposure to the blessings of the land, water, and sky at Grailville. We have shared this joy with others. This land has kept us healthy physically and mentally. I can feel instant decompression upon starting my explorations there.
3. The place has a beautiful historical significance. You can explore the beginnings of the good that has been done on this land starting with this LINK. The historical films created, however, don’t even begin to touch on the good work that was done up until current times.
4. Not only have many historic buildings of Loveland been destroyed that are tragically gone FOREVER, but the greenspace in Loveland is rapidly disappearing, to the point that Grailville is the “last of the Mohicans.” Losing the large stretch of greenspace that connects fields to the “wilderness” on the north side would have a hugely detrimental impact on local wildlife, as well as on the human beings that regularly seek solace in the fields and woods of its paths.
5. TRAFFIC IN DOWNTOWN LOVELAND
“I and my children have gained much peace and happiness from our exposure to the blessings of the land, water, and sky at Grailville.”
6. GREED over NATURE
7. Absolutely zero benefits to Loveland residents, only more destruction, construction, and overcrowding of our streets….adding to issues of congestion instead of working on solutions.
8. Once this land is developed, the sanctity and purity of the place will be lost forever. We are Loveland, and beginning to look like Liberty Township, a “run-on sentence of subdivisions.” We are a town rich in farming and RR history. Let’s not erase YET ANOTHER part of our heritage. There is enough history at Grailville to erect a small museum to the humanitarian work and personal development that was achieved there and carried throughout other communities in the hearts of members of the Grail.
9. The land is certified organic, which is no small feat.
10. About 10 million reasons this ties into the bigger picture of the environmental crisis: urban sprawl (in turn, increasing urban blight), loss of greenspaces for migratory species, the immediate destruction of the habitat for countless plant and animal species, loss of biodiversity, etc., etc., etc.
11. The thought of losing this place and the PEACE IT HAS BROUGHT MY FAMILY, and having to deal with the congestion of another subdivision literally breaks my heart….and I am not alone.
Come show your solidarity. Let’s not let an out-of-state developer take what’s left of who we are! These historic places, YES EVEN OPEN PLACES, FARMS….this is what Loveland was, and part of it always should be! We need to retain a connection to what draws people to love this land.
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
