A Deerfield Township zoning commission public meeting about Speedway’s plans for the 19th century Twenty Mile House scheduled for Monday has been postponed until 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at Speedway’s request.
Speedway wants to demolish the building at Columbia Road and U.S. 22/Ohio 3 for a convenience store and gas station.
The original structure was built in 1822 – parts of it may date to 1804 – in the crossroads hamlet of Twenty Mile Stand. It received the name “Twenty Mile Stand” because it was 20 miles northeast of Cincinnati.
The building, which has operated as a stagecoach stop and a restaurant, is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lois McKnight, assistant administrator with Deerfield Township, said the property is properly zoned for Speedway’s proposed use.
Jeff Black of South Lebanon, who owns the Twenty Mile House, has said he wants to sell it because he is losing money.
Warren County commissioners voted 3-0 on Aug. 23 against a plan to build a new driveway off of Columbia Road into the site. Speedway was seeking to bypass the county’s access management regulations.
“I just think that safety is the key factor here (and) that it’s already bad traffic,” Commissioner Pat South said. “It’s already a bad intersection. … It will only worsen by moving the entrance any closer to the intersection.”
The Columbia Road and U.S. 22/Ohio 3 intersection where the Twenty Mile House sits is a major one in Warren County. The existing driveway doesn’t meet the access management regulations, either, and was grandfathered in.
The company was going to spend $250,000 to build a right turn lane at the intersection that was required by the Warren County Engineer’s Office. Speedway later filed plans with the township that doesn’t include the controversial driveway.
Residents have rallied to the building’s defense and say they would like to reach out to Black to find buyers who will preserve the property.
For more information about the meeting or Speedway’s application, call Planning Manager Hayfaa Wadih at 513-701-6976 or email hwadi@deerfieldtwp.com.
Loading ...Enquirer staff reporter Paul McKibben contributed
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