BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON -- The Boone County Planning Commission on Wednesday voted 8-7 to deny a zone change for Answers In Genesis to build its national headquarters near Hebron -- but then relented a bit.
The commission vote opposed the recommendation of planning staff.
But the planning commission later voted to allow the Christian ministry more time to work out differences. The planning commission could vote again on the proposal at its Sept. 16 meeting.
The project's denial represented a setback for the group, which earlier Wednesday received approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
"I was a little surprised there were so many people we didn't realize were opposed to it," said Michael Zovath, Answers in Genesis' general manager. "We do feel like we've made quite a few concessions." The facility is proposed for a site south of Interstate 275 near Ky. 20, and along the east side of Deck Lane. The land is currently zoned rural suburban estates and would need to be zoned industrial to permit the facilities, which include a museum.
Planning Commission members Linda Schaffer and Michael McKinney, who cast two of the dissenting votes, both said the facility could bring growth to the area, to the dismay of some western Boone County residents.
"I think it's going to have a domino effect," Mrs. Schaffer said.
If the full planning commission approves the plan, it will go to Boone County Fiscal Court for a vote. Two years ago, fiscal court denied Answers in Genesis' request to build a creationist museum near Union.
Mr. Zovath said the project will be built in phases, with the museum likely to be built in about three years. The project, estimated to cost between $5 million and $8 million, will be built entirely on donations, he said.
"We just want to try to do what we can to convince people that this is a good project for the county and the quality of life in the community," Mr. Zovath said. "Our mission is to put up a multi-class museum."
The group wants to build up to three buildings on up to 95,000 square foot. The group has an option on 47 acres, but reduced the amount of land to be rezoned to 25 acres.
