Lebanon, Warren County swapping land to spur Ohio 63 housing project

As Lebanon takes the next steps to build infrastructure that will be needed to support the proposed Parkside housing development along Ohio 63 west of the city, City Council recently approved a land swap with Warren County.

City Manager Scott Brunka said the transaction would benefit both governments. He said the city needs the property for needed utility easements and land needed to build a water booster station and widen Ohio 63 for new residents, while the county will be getting additional land for future facility expansions.

Brunka said the new water booster station would be used to support water service for the Parkside Development but also address low water pressure issues in existing developments in that service area. He also said the city is moving forward with the design and future widening of Ohio 63 from Parkside to Rough Way, which will also need additional easements for the infrastructure improvements.

The parcel on the north side of Ohio 63 being created for the booster station totals 0.3157 acres, and the easement being dedicated totals 1.9387 acres, both of which would be transferred/ dedicated to the city as part of this agreement. The easement stretches from Markey Road west to the Parkside project.

In addition, Brunka said the county will also pay $100,000 to the city for the difference in size of land being transferred. He said those funds would be used to cover engineering costs for the Ohio 63 widening project.

In exchange, the city will transfer about 5 acres to the county, which is adjacent to the Warren County Maintenance Facility on the south side of Ohio 63. Brunka said the county has identified a need to possibly expand or build a new building immediately behind the current building as part of its facility master plan.

City Manager Scott Brunka previously said the project is planning a 10-year build-out and