SYMMES TWP. — Plans to transform a former gravel pit into a $200 million, luxury-home community called “The Wharf at Symmes” could die today.

        The city of Indian Hill has been negotiating to purchase the property from Martin Marietta Corp. and the deal is expected to be final today, said Indian Hill City Manager Mike Burns.

        He would not give more details, but earlier said he was upset that developer Darrell Leibson and Tim and Greg Hensley of Hensley Homes Inc. would consider building any homes on industrial property along Ohio 126 in Camp Dennison.

        The developers have an option to purchase the property from Martin Marietta. The option expires in October.

        Small lakes sit on the 300-plus acres bordered by the Little Miami River. Residents in Indian Hill, Symmes Township and Camp Dennison have been concerned that if houses were built, lawn chemicals would leach into and contaminate the underground aquifer.

        Members of the Camp Dennison Civic League, the main group opposing the development, were not ready to celebrate Wednesday but were hopeful about the negotiations' outcome.

        If Indian Hill buys the property, it would most likely be reserved as green space, officials said. Indian Hill is Symmes Township's western neighbor and already owns property in the township, including Camp Dennison Memorial Park, along Ohio 126 and north of Kugler Mill Road. The park has a one-mile walking path, soccer and softball fields and a play area for children.

        “That (would be) a victory. That was a wish that we had long ago when this first transpired,” said Karen Diehl, league secretary. “They don't want homes here any more than the rest of us do. Indian Hill has been a good neighbor.”

        Mr. Leibson submitted the last of his zoning application materials on Tuesday. He is asking to have 98 acres of the industrial property rezoned so that he can build 150 to 190 homes. He originally proposed building 600 homes, valued at $300,000 to $1 million, but scaled back plans after hundreds of residents registered their concerns.

        Russell Sparks, zoning administrator for the Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission, doesn't know what to make of the negotiations because Mr. Leibson submitted requested paperwork so recently. A May 2 meeting to discuss his zoning request is still set.

        “It's still a go. We're working as if we have a fight on May 2,” said Timothy Mara, the league's secretary. “We're not going to stop our preparations until we hear there's such a deal. There's not much time between now and that hearing. We can't afford to waste that time.”

        But Indian Hills' purchase of the property would appease a lot of people, he said.

        “That would be a wonderful way of resolving the matter. The site is really inappropriate for any development,” he said.

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