Accomplishments for Evendale Residents and Businesses

By Christian J. Schaefer

I have served Evendale on Planning Commission, Council, as Solicitor, and as a CIC member for 23 years.

•1984• Initiated concept of greenbelt to divide residential area from commercial property on Reading Road and preserve hillsides. This led to Evendale accepting: forested property at Cooper and Mohler Road, wooded land west of Cooper Hill Subdivision, hillside below Carpenter's View Subdivision, and hilltop portion of property south of Cooper Rd.

•1985• Convinced Postal Service to allow residents on north side of Glendale-Milford Road to move their mailboxes to north side of street. Met with affected residents to form consensus to combine mailboxes at limited number of locations allowed by Postal Service.

•1985• Reorganized Police Department to establish merit system of promotions. Prior to that time, tenure was sole criteria for promotion.

•1985• Presented plan to install traffic islands on Reading Rd. and curbs, storm sewers and sidewalks on Cooper and Glendale-Milford Rd. at town meeting. Voters approved 2/10 of 1% increase in income tax to fund the project.

• 1986• Co-authored first rewrite of Zoning Code enacted since 1951. Met with affected businesses and residents over numerous issues so that Council enactment of it did not lead to controversy or public opposition.

•1989• Supported plan to double size of Recreation Center and build new gym. Voters approved a 2/10 of 1% income tax increase to fund the project.

•1989• After Cincinnati Electronics closed, urged purchase of Dracket land (behind grain elevators) which became large portion of new industrial park.

•1990s• Blocked hasty development of Dracket land until owners of Cincinnati Electronics property agreed to participate, creating Medallion Drive Industrial Park.

•1990 & 1996• Through terms on Council I urged acquisition of Sharefax Credit Union land and Kneuven/Flavin land adjoining Evendale Community Center. These were purchased after I became the Solicitor. These became the location of the lighted soccer field, new tennis courts, and municipal building.

•1992• Initiated idea of constructing Interpretive Building at Gorman Heritage Farm on Evendale Green Space to keep farm fields intact and avoid construction of building and parking lot along Cooper Road.

•1999• Worked with others to develop a plan so that Evendale could accept gift of 30 Acres along Wyscarver Road from the Griffin Family.

•2003• With a committee developed an outline of steps to be taken by Evendale to exercise option to own and operate Gorman Heritage Farm.