July 8, 2004

EDITORIAL

Plan commerce park area wisely

Though a commerce park would provide a boon for the local economy, the growth often associated with business expansion could pose a threat to a community treasure: downtown Yellow Springs.

Unanticipated or uncontrolled growth — in the form of restaurants, retail businesses or, as an extreme, a mini-mall — could potentially sprout up around the farmland that surrounds the future site of the commerce park. Though it may be inevitable that some establishments will open around the business park, this area should neither compete with downtown nor detract from existing Yellow Springs businesses.

Surely if the commerce park is successful, it will attract some additional growth. But it’s the type of development that counts. Hundreds of overpriced McMansions, chain restaurants and retail stores, all growing uncontrollably, would forever change Yellow Springs, and not for the better.

Last month, the effort to build a commerce park here took a huge step forward when Community Resources, the local community improvement corporation, purchased 46 acres of farmland at East Enon and Dayton-Yellow Springs Roads from Vernay Laboratories. The land will be developed under the Cooperative Economic Development Agreement, or CEDA, a development pact between Village Council and the Miami Township trustees. Community Resources and the Village are working with Antioch University McGregor, which wants to build a new campus in the commerce park.

McGregor is expected to serve as the park’s anchor. The institution has said that it would like the new development to include restaurants or quick food service options and other facilities, such as hotels or short- and long-term lodging, for students and faculty.

More development in this area could follow. One development company already is reportedly interested in creating a mixed-use development of commercial and residential structures. Additional homes on the western edge of Yellow Springs could invite new retail businesses or eateries in that area, not downtown.

Village Manager Rob Hillard stressed that development should be “compatible with the community,” and would “help and enhance” downtown. Dan Young, the vice chairman of Community Resources who has been actively involved in the commerce park effort, said that the organization has “no intention” of allowing any retail businesses or formal restaurants in the park. “We don’t want to set up any competition with downtown Yellow Springs,” he said. Barbara Gellman-Danley, the president of McGregor, envisions a trolley system to connect the commerce park with downtown, the Glen and other local sites.

Through zoning regulations, its control of utilities and available financial incentives, the Village is in a good position to ensure that these pledges are met. These types of tools, especially its utility systems, gives the Village ample leverage to ensure development does not drastically alter the makeup of Yellow Springs.

The goal of building a commerce park here has always been a good one. Moderate, smartly planned residential and commercial growth could be beneficial to the Yellow Springs schools, local governments, the community and the economy. Community Resources and the Village should commit to protecting downtown, by wisely planning for the design of the park, carefully choosing who will occupy it and vigilantly monitoring other growth around the business facility.

—Robert Mihalek