What's New - Events & Meetings

Check this space for the latest information about the SaveAmberley.com movement to Keep Crest Hills Zoned Park.

9/21/05 HOW CITIES USE PARKS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (From The Trust for Public Land) Parks provide intrinsic environmental, aesthetic, and recreation benefits to our cities. They are also a source of positive economic benefits.They enhance property values, increase municipal revenue, bring in homebuyers and workers, and attract retirees. At the bottom line, parks are a good financial investment for a community. Understanding the economic impacts of parks can help decision makers better evaluate the creation and maintenance of urban parks. Read more by clicking here. (392 KB pdf file)

9/21/05 HOW CITIES USE PARKS FOR GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE (From The Trust for Public Land) Just as growing communities need to upgrade and expand their built infrastructure of roads, sewers, and utilities, they also need to upgrade and expand their green infrastructure, the interconnected system of green spaces that conserves natural ecosystem values and functions, sustains clear air and water, and provides a wide array of benefits to people and wildlife. Green infrastructure is a community's natural life support system, the ecological framework needed for environmental and economic sustainability.1 In their role as green infrastructure, parks and open space are a community necessity. By planning and managing urban parks as parts of an interconnected green space system, cities can reduce flood control and stormwater management costs. Parks can also protect biological diversity and preserve essential ecological functions while serving as a place for recreation and civic engagement.They can even help shape urban form and reduce opposition to development, especially when planned in concert with other open spaces. Read more by clicking here. (1.07 MB pdf file)

9/21/05 HOW CITIES USE PARKS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH (From The Trust for Public Land) People value the time they spend in city parks, whether walking a dog, playing basketball, or having a picnic. Along with these expected leisure amenities, parks can also provide measurable health benefits, from providing direct contact with nature and a cleaner environment, to opportunities for physical activity and social interaction. A telephone survey conducted for the American Public Health Association found that 75 percent of adults believe parks and recreation must play an important role in addressing America's obesity crisis. Because of the different ways people experience parks, cities need to provide all types, from neighborhood facilities to large natural areas. In fact, many of the health benefits described below can be best achieved through small-scale, readily accessible sites. A full reckoning of the benefits of parks will better inform public policy about parks and provide a useful public health tool. Read more by clicking here.(1.23 MB pdf file)

8/22/05 A CALL TO ARMS The Ridge Club and the Developer, who wants to develop the Crest Hills property, have put together a slate of pro-development candidates for the Amberley Village Council. They were out in force at the ice cream social bombarding our residents who were there to enjoy a summer evening in the Village. They will not take no for an answer! The representatives of the Country Club and Developer asked for a decision from the Planning Commission and Village Council on whether our Village would permit re-zoning the Crest Hills Country Club site. Our Planning Commission and Village Council gave them a resounding “NO.” The residents of the Village know that re-zoning the property from park so that the Country Club and the Developer can profit is not in the Village’s best interest. Contrary to their representation, they did not accept the answer. The Ridge Club and the Developer sued us. This lawsuit is pending and looks very good for the Village. Having lost in the Planning Commission, having lost in Council and with their position looking very bad in the Courts, they are now trying again by putting up a slate of pro-development candidates. Several of their candidates are Country Club Members. If the Village does have financial problems in the Village, two of their candidates are the ones that are mostly responsible. They had no foresight with regard to the loss of the Gibson Card tax base, COMMON SENSE. All you have to do is follow the money to see who is in favor of re-zoning Crest Hills from park. They are the County Club Members and the Developers who will get rich on our backs. They will spend a lot of money on their campaign to try to confuse the voters. We the taxpayers will be bearing the financial responsibility so they can profit. Basic economics tells us that 90 more home sites in the Village will devalue our property. 90 new home sites reduce the value of our homes, as well as our ability to sell them in a timely fashion. It is simple supply and demand. Additionally, single family homes consume more services than their property taxes will support. The American Farmland Trust Study entitled “Cost of Community Services Study” by Julie Freedgood was completed in January of 2002. There were 83 separate studies conducted in 19 states over a 15-year period. The COCS Study measured the direct fiscal relationships between existing land uses. The COCS Studies concluded that residential development generates significant property tax revenue, but residents demand costly public services that must be subsidized. That is the cost of services to single family residences exceeds the tax revenue from the property tax. We, the taxpayers of Amberley Village will be subsidizing the Country Club set and the wealthy Developers. With the pro-development plan, our taxes will go up and our quality of life will go down. Vote for them and we will have “taxation without representation.” The pro-development slate will make it clear through spending on their campaign that there is a lot of money to be made by the Country Club set and the Developers on our backs. We have told them no three times. We must tell them no again with a resounding defeat at the polls on November 8, 2005. It is important now, that you put up your “Save Amberley” signs and help support the candidates who are looking out for you as taxpayers. Don’t be fooled by those who want to sell us out. Now is the time to take a stand. They will not help our Village or us. Development will not help us. It will cost us. Show your support, put out your signs, and support the candidates who support you. Get the word out. We need to send the message loud and clear to the Country Club Set, the Developers and the Judge hearing our case, we do not want development of the Crest Hills Property at our expense. Commit now to save our Village.

8/4/05 GOLF COURSE ZONING STYMIES OWNER Amberley battles lawsuit to allow housing development See the Cincinnati Enquirer article written by by Steve Kemme which appeared on Monday, August 1, 2005. Click Here.

7/21/05 AMBERLEY VILLAGE FILES MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGEMENT Amberley Village filed a motion to have the Ridge Club lawsuit dismissed on summary judgement. Rick Lauer, the attorney retained by the Village's insurance company to represent the Village, did a fabulous job. Rick is now also a village resident. It is important for the Amberley Village residents to see the facts as developed by Rick. The motion can be read here. The Ridge Club also filed a motion. Argument dates have not yet been set, however, there is a lot for the Judge to look at.

1/5/05 AMBERLEY VILLAGE RESIDENTS TANGLE OVER LAND PARK OR LUXURY HOMES? Below is a link to an article by Steve Kemme which appeared on the front page of today's Cincinnati Enquirer. The articled headline is "Amberley Village residents tangle over land: Park or luxury homes?". continued

11/23/04 HILLS COMMUNITIES MAKES OFFER ON CREST HILLS PROPERTIES Earlier this month, the Board of Directors received an offer from Hills Communities for the purchase of the Crest Hills property. The primary points of the contracts are as follows. continued

7/13/04 CREST HILLS SAFETY VIOLATIONS - Information

7/13/04 CREST HILLS SAFETY VIOLATIONS - Inspection Report - Notice of Fire Hazards

7/13/04 CREST HILLS SAFETY VIOLATIONS - Photos

6/7/04 JUDGE MELBA MARSH ISSUES TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER continued

6/7/04 Louis H. Katz Meeting Notes - Amberley Hearing of June 7 I just returned from the hearing on the Motion for a temporary restraining order. The Honorable Melba Marsh presided. continued

6/4/04 Stan Chesley Needs Our Presence Stan Chesley, the attorney representing Amberley Village, would like for as many of us as possible to attend the hearing on Monday, June 7, 11:00 AM in the courtroom of the Honorable Melba Marsh at the Hamilton County Courthouse, 1000 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202. [MapQuest link for map and directions] Please be sure and wear your SAVE AMBERLEY..... badge.   Stan feels that it is important that we make a strong showing.  So, PLEASE COME!!!! Here's a link to the info about the hearing.

6/4/04 Chesley joins Amberley fight - Cincinnati Enquirer May 21, 2004 [external link to Enquirer site]

6/3/04 Village filed a Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order Dear Fellow Residents, On May 11, 2004 The Ridge Club filed suit against the Village claiming that since the Village was denying the requested zoning change, the Village was unconstitutionally taking their property. continued

5/19/04 Amberley Village press release concerning the retention of Stanley Chesley by the Village.

5/19/04 CHESLEY REPRESENTS AMBERLEY PRO BONO Last night (Wednesday, May 19, 2004), the Amberley Village Council held a special meeting to discuss the Ridge Club lawsuit filed against the Village. continued

5/14/04 Amberley zoning dispute in court - [external link to Enquirer site]

5/14/04 The Ridge Club lawsuit [PDF 880kb] is available for download as an Adobe PDF file. The free Adobe Reader program is required to read or print this document.

5/12/04 Ridge Club Sues! - The Ridge Club has made good on their threat to sue Amberley Village.  We need to send a message loud and clear that we are not scared and that we stand behind the decision of the courageous council members that supported our position. Crest Hills is a park, and must remain one! continued

May 11, 2004 We have been requested to take down our "Keep Crest Hills Zoned Park" signs to show our solidarity with the majority of our Village Council. There is hope that by taking our signs down now, it will encourage the Ridge Club Board to talk to the Village in an effort to find a solution which will avoid litigation over keeping Crest Hills a park. continued

April 17, 2004 Crest Hills project voted down - Cincinnati Enquirer - April 15, 2004 [external link to Enquirer site]

April 17, 2004 Village's future debated - - Cincinnati Enquirer - April 14, 2004 [external link to Enquirer site]

April 17, 2004 Amberley Village Votes Down Development Plan - WCPO.com - 4/14/04 [external link to WCPO site]

April 16, 2004 Letter to Amberley Residents from the SAVE AMBERLEY VILLAGE Committee

April 16, 2004 Text of speech by Elizabeth Farians to the Amberley Village Council on April 14, 2004

April 15, 2004 GREAT NEWS - A/B ZONING DENIED! Amberley Village Council reject the request to change the Crest Hills property Residential A/B zoning. Councilman Robert Stewart and Councilman Mel Schear voted in favor of the developer! Keep this in mind next time they run.

April 15, 2004 Letter to The Ridge Club Members from Jerry Horwitz, Club President, on April 9, 2004, about an unsolicited offer the Ridge Club received to purchase the Losantiville property.

April 12, 2004 Public Hearing of the Village Council scheduled for Wednesday, April 14, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at Rockdale Temple

March 28, 2004 Jeff Glover Aerial Photographs - taken 3/10/2004

March 16, 2004 Albert E. Lane Photographs - collection of photos taken March 9, 2004

March 15, 2004 Recollections of long-time Amberley Village resident Albert E. Lane

March 15, 2004 Sprawl squeezes parkland - Cincinnati Enquirer - March 15, 2004

March 9, 2004 Amberley Council public hearing set for 7:00 pm April 14 at Rockdale Temple

March 7, 2004 Amberley zoning vote looms - Sunday, March 7, 2004 Cincinnati Enquirer article

March 4, 2004 PLANNING COMMISSION VOTES NO TO A/B ZONING CHANGE

March 3, 2004 Bob Bardach Letter to the Amberley Village Council Members and Planning Commission

March 3, 2004 Landmark Gibson plant has new use - Tuesday, March 2, 2004 Cincinnati Enquirer article

March 3, 2004 Important things to know about the SAVE AMBERLEY VILLAGE movement... Impact Facts on Developing Crest Hills document now available.

March 3, 2004 Tonight's Meeting Tonight (Wednesday, March 3, 2004), Village Hall, 7:00 PM - the Planning Commission will vote on rezoning the Crest Hills property to A (single family, 1 acre) and B (single family, 1/2 acre). Although the public will not be allowed to comment/testify, it is still important to attend and show support for the SAVE AMBERLEY VILLAGE movement.

March 3, 2004 AMBERLEY VOTES NO PUD! Last Night (Tuesday, March 2, 2003), the Amberley Village Council voted to accept the Planning Commission's recommendation to reject adding a new zoning district called a Planned Unit Development (PUD). In other words, NO PUDs in Amberley Village!

March 1, 2004 Cable TV re-broadcast times of the Zoning Committee meeting of February 18. Will be broadcast on Channel 17.

February 21, 2004 Public Hearing Notice - Please attend this very important meeting on 3/2/2004.

February 4, 2004 Planning Commission Denies PUD - from Amberley Village Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 2

January 31, 2004 Letter from Ken Ericson to Merrie Stillpass, Chair or the Amberley Village Planning Commission

January 21, 2004 Memo from Marjorie Corman Aaron to Zoning Committee and Village Council Members about the Jan. 13 open meeting of the Zoning Committee

January 20, 2004 Cable TV re-broadcast times of the Zoning Committee meeting held on Jan. 13 at Rockdale Temple

January 16, 2004 Plan for ex-club site stirs passions - Cincinnati Enquirer - January 14, 2004 [external link to Enquirer site]

January 15, 2004 Call the SAVE AMBERLEY VILLAGE Hotline: 513-297-4091 Letter to The Ridge Club Members from Jerry Horwitz, Club President - information regarding terms of the purchase agreement with Hal Homes, Inc. Opinion Letter from Robert E. Manley, SAVE AMBERLEY VILLAGE Committee Attorney, to Charles Kamine, Mayor Battle Lines Drawn On Proposed Amberley Village Development - WCPO Channel 9 News Story American Planning Association City Parks Forum Briefing Papers - news from the experts on the benefits of parks Article in Dec. 24, 2003 Cincinnati Enquirer

January 14, 2004 Ask Tim Carter Web Site Link - member of Amberley Village Planning Commission has his own web log Letter from Dr. Carl Evert, Past President of the Pleasant Ridge Community Council to Jerry Horwitz, Ridge Club President Link to "Cincinnati Challenge to Sprawl Campaign" Article on SierraClub.com

January 13, 2004 Village planners expect a crowd - article in Jan. 12 Cincinnati Enquirer about the Jan. 13 meeting and change of location due to the expected attendance [external link to Enquirer's site]

January 12, 2004 New Postcard mailed concerning the January 13 meeting

January 12, 2004 Critical Public Meeting - Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

January 9 , 2004 Stolen Signs

December 2003 Archive Listings

 

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