By Marie McCain
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BATAVIA - Clermont County residents will have a number of races, tax levies and referendums to consider in the upcoming November election.

Today the county's Board of Elections will certify the ballot, which is expected to include races for two municipal judgeships, a newly created clerkship for the county's court system, and a third try at an operational levy by the county's Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

Also to be decided are three referendums - put forth by residents - which will decide the fate of zoning changes made to land in Batavia Township and New Richmond.

In July, Batavia Township trustees approved a zoning change that permits the development of a 203-home subdivision on 99 acres along Amelia-Olive Branch and Judd roads.

Residents object to the development, mainly because they fear there might be environmental problems with the land. At one time, barrels of lead-based paint were stored on the site. They are concerned the soil might have been tainted.

The owner, Batavia Township Trustee Archie Wilson, has called these concerns unfounded. He said the barrels were removed from the property about two years ago.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has not ruled out a site inspection, said agency spokeswoman Heather Lauer.

In another section of Batavia Township, residents contend that an 89-acre development along Apple Road and Ohio 132 will be too dense. They want the zoning change that permits the development overturned.

Also in New Richmond, a resident-driven referendum asks voters to overturn an ordinance that permits building a 155-house subdivision on 56 acres. Residents here also contend the plan is too dense.

E-mail mmccain@enquirer.com