LEBANON — What was once touted as Warren County’s largest residential development became another casualty of the downturn in the economy and real estate market last week.
Warren County Commission, after a public hearing June 2, voted to rezone the San Mar Gale development in Turtlecreek Twp. back to rural residential from a planned unit development.
Commissioner David Young said he was “pleased it’s not a controversial issue anymore.”
Young said during his first year in office, the project was controversial because it was such a dramatic change because of the size of the project.
“It was such an incredibly large deal,” he said. “The numbers were just staggering.”
He said the rezoning reinforced two principles, that private property rights are paramount and the government should not get involved in those issues; and that the free market works and does not need governmental and other zoning regulations to slow the once overheated housing boom in the county.
Developer Bill Hines and his company still wants to develop the 3,200 acres in Turtlecreek Twp.
“We have no idea what the next step will be until the economy and real estate market turns around,” Hines said.
Among the reasons to revert to the rural residential zoning was that the developer did not meet the 30 conditions that were set when the PUD was approved. Two key conditions that were not met include not obtaining Ohio Environmental Protection Agency permits to construct and operate one or more central sanitary sewer treatment plants and the creation of a community authority board to govern the development.
Residents in Turtlecreek Twp. also approved the PUD in a November 2006 referendum vote.
Speculated as the largest development and the largest community in Warren County, the proposed project never got off the ground due to the decline of the real estate market and economy.
The land was formerly owned by Ralph J. Stolle, a prominent inventor, businessman and philanthropist in Warren County. About 425 acres of the land was sold to Hines’ company, with 90 percent of the land still owned by SMG Land Holdings, which is controlled by the Stolle family, according to county officials.
The project included the construction of 2,150 upscale homes starting at $400,000 to $450,000. Those plans included 1,650 single-family homes and 500 multi-family homes; more than 900 acres of green space; and a 22.5-acre town center.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4504 or erichter@coxohio.com.