Austin rezoning would bring pet adoption center, tighter restrictions

A plan Miami Twp. officials say will tighten development restrictions on Austin Boulevard ahead of a likely land deal for a future pet adoption center is set to be considered tonight by township trustees.

The rezoning of 63.2 acres the township owns in a highly-visible spot across the street from Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport includes about 4 acres the Humane Society of Greater Dayton is looking to buy for a new adoption facility.

The change in the land’s classification would provide stricter guidelines for a parcel sought by the humane society and the remaining property, which is near the Miami Village residential neighborhood of about 200 homes, officials said.

RELATED: What would be permitted, prohibited with Austin rezoning

“As of today it allows any industrial use,” Miami Twp. Deputy Community Development Director Kyle Hinkelman told neighboring property owners earlier this month. “So that could mean (any) industry. And I think we’re all aware that that would not fit in that location.”

Township records indicate the humane society has agreed in principle to buy 3.86 acres at 2673 Austin for $572,000. That deal may be finalized in the coming weeks, said township Community Development Director Chris Snyder.

For the entire 63.2 acres, the aim is “to clarify what those uses are,” Hinkelman said. But for the remaining 59.3 acres, there are no submitted plans or potential buyers, he said.

RELATED: Humane society nears deal with Miami Twp. for Austin land

“Obviously, the township controls it today,” Hinkelman added. “We don’t have any buyers. We don’t have any intention of selling it as of today. But if that were to ever change, we want to make sure whoever is looking to acquire that property understands that this is exactly what they can do, and this is exactly what they can’t do.”

If the change is approved by trustees, the land would continue to be zoned a planned mixed-use district, but it would include more guidelines, officials said.

Among the prohibited uses with the change would be: the assembly or manufacture of automobiles and automobile bodies; machine and tool and die shops; and metal buffing, plating and polishing shops, township records show.

RELATED: Humane society plans adoption site near Austin Landing, hospital at HQ

Before the township’s zoning commission recommended approval of the plan earlier this month, some Miami Village residents were skeptical of the move, fearing what impact any future development on the remaining 59.3 acres would have on the neighborhood.

But zoning Commissioner Brent Anslinger emphasized that the change the township is seeking “actually provides a lot more benefit – from a buffering standpoint – of what could go in there. It’s a positive to the neighbors from my perspective.”

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AUSTIN REZONING

A plan to rezone 63.2 acres of Miami Twp.-owned land on Austin Boulevard would prohibit the following uses:

• Assembly or manufacture of automobiles and automobile bodies; machine and tool and die shops; metal buffing, plating and polishing shops.

• Mini-storage or self-storage facilities of any kind or size (excluding personal storage/day lockers), whether for rental or sale.

• Truck, tractor, and trailer sales, rental, and repair; truck terminals, not meeting the criteria outlined in the approved preliminary plan; truck plazas and truck stops.

• Heating and electric power generating stations (excluding alternative power supply/backup generators for uses located on the property); junk, scrap, wrecking yards or salvage yards.

Source: Miami Twp.

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