Butler County cities to consider land swap to aid development and space for new well

This property owned by Hamilton adjacent to Fairfield's Nilles Road fire headquarters would be swapped to Fairfield for an 8-acre site behind the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields on Groh Lane under a proposed deal between the two cities. Contributed photo

Credit: Adam Sackenheim

Credit: Adam Sackenheim

This property owned by Hamilton adjacent to Fairfield's Nilles Road fire headquarters would be swapped to Fairfield for an 8-acre site behind the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields on Groh Lane under a proposed deal between the two cities. Contributed photo

Two Butler County cities are considering a proposal to use each other’s property to benefit them both.

Fairfield would get a prime piece of land for development in its town center and Hamilton would get a new well field.

The plan calls for Hamilton to deed Fairfield its 4.8-acre property adjacent to Fairfield’s fire headquarters at the corner of Nilles Road and Wessel Drive. It has a well on the property and an associated building.

In exchange, Fairfield would give Hamilton an 8-acre site on Groh Lane behind the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League fields, said Adam Sackenheim, Fairfield’s assistant city manager.

In a proposed land swap between Fairfield and Hamilton, Hamilton would get this 8-acre site behind the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League fields owned by Fairfield in exchange for land owned by Hamilton adjacent to Fairfield's Nilles Road fire headquarters. Contributed photo

Credit: Adam Sackenheim

icon to expand image

Credit: Adam Sackenheim

That land would be used by Hamilton for a new well to replace the one on Nilles Road.

“That site is located in our town center area which is a priority development area for city council. It’s a great development opportunity,’’ said Greg Kathman, Fairfield’s development services director.

“It’s less than a block from large public buildings such as the community arts center, the library…close to a lot of other amenities. It’s a great development opportunity for us.”

The second swap involves two adjacent properties on River Road near Marsh Park.

In a land swap deal, Fairfield and Hamilton would swap two adjacent properties on River Road near Marsh Park. Contributed photo

Credit: Adam Sackenheim

icon to expand image

Credit: Adam Sackenheim

“Hamilton’s property has frontage on River Road that we want as we develop Marsh Park,” Sackenheim said. “We would trade our land that’s further in for the frontage.”

Last October an updated masterplan for the 146-acre park was approved. It calls for an expansion of kayak/canoeing facilities, additional hiking/biking trails along with patios, overlooks, shelters, an amphitheater, boat rentals and eateries.

Under the terms of the swap, Fairfield would split 4.7 acres of its 30-acre piece of ground at 6300 River Road and deed it to Hamilton.

The agreement also calls for Fairfield to reimburse Hamilton up to $1.7 million in costs associated with land transfers and installing a new well.

Fairfield City Council on Monday heard the first reading of an ordinance to make the swap happen. It will be discussed at Wednesday’s Hamilton City Council meeting.

About the Author