Planning Commissioners' Procedures Manual - Hamilton County, Ohio

evidence of an anticipated gross income of $2,500. Removing land from an agricultural district
before the five year agreement will incur a recoupment penalty of 25% of the assessed value.
All or part of the land may be enrolled as an agriculture district. The district will continue for
five years and then the owner can reapply for continuance of the district. There are other
conditions concerning removal, annexation, and defferments in the Ohio Revised Code (929) that
should be reviewed by planners, elected officials, and landowners.
Residential Districts
Residential districts may be established in several categories depending on the type of
development already established or anticipated. Factors that must be considered are:
• density of population
• existing and proposed streets and utilities
• variety of housing types (single family dwellings, multi family units, mobile home parks)
• variety of housing price groupings
The use of Cluster Development/Planned Unit Development and conditional uses are some
methods that provide flexibility in zoning regulations. Distinctions in use are identified in zoning
by use of density codes.
Business Districts
Land zoned for commercial use should be based on need for the establishments and not just on
proximity to major thorough fares. Too often strip commercial development is permitted by
zoning excessively large road frontages for commercial use. Service streets, performance
standards, and conditional uses are part of the development planning.
Industrial Districts
Industrial districts may or may not be needed depending upon the location of the area to be
zoned and its present mix of land uses. Areas properly zoned for industry is an additional
incentive for industrial expansions well as new industry because the community indicates 1) it
wants to protect its industry from possible nuisance suits from incompatible uses that could be
established too near to the district and 2) it is providing "protected" land for future growth. Too
often, more land than necessary is zoned for industrial use. Flexibility can be build into this type
of zoning district by the use of performance standards for compatibility with non-industrial
neighboring areas.
Within these districts or as a separate district, other uses or non-uses may be addressed. Parks
and open space for non-designated recreation use. Flood plains may be zoned as restricted or
non-use areas.
To best accomplish compatible uses, a comprehensive plan should be used as a guide.
Compatible uses within districts and in adjacent districts do not "just happen". Planners and