NORWOOD — A lot can happen before council members decide whether to OK the proposed $35 million makeover of the 15-acre, former General Motors Corp. parking lot.

        They will debate the matter in August now that planning commissioners said Monday that they support the planned unit development application from Al Neyer Inc. Neyer hopes to transform one of the region's ugliest brownfields into an attractive new medical office development, with a grocery store and other retail, office and restaurant uses.

        But there's still the question of whether the city and developers will receive a $3 million state clean-up grant.

        Although the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency already has said the property north of the Norwood Lateral is clear for commercial development, a successful joint application would lessen Neyer's need to monitor and finance ongoing engineering controls.

        The city and developers — joint applicants for the grant — will learn in July if they've been successful.

        “Right now, it's all a big "if,'” Councilman Keith Moore said. “Hopefully, it does come through. That would make everybody happy. It's something that we'll have to take a look at.

        “But the basic idea is sound. The medical facility would be a fantastic benefit to the city. It would be so nice to turn that from an empty factory parking lot to a healthy use.”

        At Monday's session, planning commissioners spent more than an hour debating Neyer's application before unanimously opting to support the proposal with some conditional uses.

        For example, the project will have one main entrance on Montgomery Road instead of the three entranceways originally proposed. Also, if a gas station is built, gas pumps must not be on Montgomery Road.

        Council members will set a public hearing at their June 25 session.

Police, Feds go after gun criminals
Indiana quake rattles nerves, little else
Teams look for a place to call home
Trip shows convention's importance to officials
Add to the mix to revitalize OTR, city manager says
Auditor irked by flag
Black Achievers recognized
Chabot urges late-abortion ban
City considers community monitors
Obituary: Paul Keels, ran award-winning auto dealership
Plans for parking lot supported
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Welcome mat
HOWARD: Some Good News
KORTE: City Hall
SAMPLES GUTIERREZ: Loud and clear
SMITH AMOS: Groundbreaking
Case of missing baseball money sent to grand jury
District aims to smooth transition
Little Miami schools face cuts
Loveland development opposed
Primary win came at a price
Teen guilty in girl's rape
Taft proposes disclosure
Fayette County unloads old school buses on eBay
Ky.'s latest finance fix could falter
Lt. Gov. explores race
NewCath downplays letter
Priests could be dismissed
Sand tiger shark dies
State wobbles in purchase of land
Villa Hills celebrates 40 years