County Planning Administrator Zeb Acuff said the county commissioners will be reviewing the proposed expansion plan sometime in early July and can accept, modify or reject the recommendation from the Rural Planning Commission.
Acuff said about 35 people made comments at Monday’s meeting with several others sending comments via email raising safety and traffic concerns.
Owner Brett Oakley was seeking the zone change for 227.5 acres on the north side of Thomas Road, east of Ohio 4 and west of Franklin-Madison Road. The phased PUD project was to include a family entertainment facility, campground, water parks, hotel, an outdoor adventure area, amusement rides and other entertainment activities.
Oakley said this was the first time he has attempted to do a PUD project and envisions it as something similar to a Kalahari resort with a 400- to 500-room hotel. The first phase of the project is a campground for families to enjoy.
He said when the project is completed, it could create 400 to 500 new jobs for the area and the investment would be between $75 million to $250 million.
“It’s a process that we’re trying to learn,” Oakley said. “The neighbors are upset and frustrated with the process as we’re trying to get input from them. The biggest thing is that residents are unclear what a PUD actually is.”
Madison Twp. Trustees Alan Daniel and Brian McGuire issued a letter of opposition to the Rural Zoning Commission. Daniel spoke for the township at the meeting, saying Thomas Road would “be negatively affected by increased traffic jabs and road blockage, excessive wear and tear, and smooth access to Route 4.”
Daniel said various impact studies requested by the Butler County Engineer’s Office have not been completed.
The trustees said they believe the impact of residences within a general proximity of Land of Illusion will be very negative” and cited previous complaints about lighting, noise and trespassing and harassment by the park’s security team at a neighboring residence.
Oakley believes two of the trustees don’t understand the project or their property and welcomes Daniels and McGuire and other neighbors to come out and see their project. Oakley said Trustee Thomas Hall and Township Administrator Todd Farler have met with him and visited the property.
“I’m trying to get strong input so we can get to the next stage of development,” Oakley said. “We want to create year-round and full-time jobs for kids and adults and bring outside visitors to Middletown and Madison Twp. and be a destination location.”
Oakley said Land of Illusion started in 1997 on Meyers Road as the Middletown Haunted Trail which was a fundraiser for the Madison Twp. Fire Department.
“I think this could be a win-win project for the township,” Oakley said.
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