WEST CHESTER TWP. — Wetherington — one of Greater Cincinnati's most affluent neighborhoods — is becoming a gated community.

        Within two months, gates installed at Wetherington Drive and Eagle's Wing Drive, will make off-limits a popular shortcut through the development connecting Tylersville Road with Cincinnati-Dayton Road around the community of Maud.

        Earlier this year, homeowners in the development of 379 upscale homes and condominiums voted overwhelmingly to privatize the community.

        That decision was driven by traffic counts exceeding 11,000 vehicles a day, excessive speeding and vandalism, said Jeff Black, vice president of the Wetherington Homeowners' Association.

        Another key reason for privatization is the safety of the many youngsters who bicycle or walk to the community's swimming pool, tennis courts and other facilities.

        Wetherington will become the only gated development in West Chester, said Assistant Township Administrator Judith Carter.

        It is home to many high-profile professionals, business leaders and politicians, including U.S. Rep. John Boehner and Judge Stephen Powell of the Ohio 12th District Court of Appeals.

        The deadline for having the gates and guardhouses in place is Dec. 18, but they could be finished as early as Nov. 18, Mr. Black said. After that, drivers will need pass cards to get through. There are no immediate plans to assign guards to the gate houses, he said.

        Township Fire Chief Jim Detherage said arrangements have been made for emergency services to respond to the community.

        The gates are programmed to open at the sound of a siren, and have a backup system. In the event of a power outage, the gates will automatically open, the chief said.

        Privatization means Wetherington residents will be responsible for all street maintenance, with no taxpayers' money available for that task. Emergency services remain the responsibility of township trustees.

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