Proposed Rezoning That Could Transform a Suburb Advances in Blue Ash

The Cincinnati Planning Commission has scheduled a July 22 hearing on an application to rezone 85 acres in the suburb of Blue Ash from light industrial to mixed-use residential and commercial districts.

The move arrives as Hamilton County records show building permits for new multifamily projects jumped 28 percent in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, driven by job growth along the I-275 beltway.

The parcels in question lie between Reed Hartman Highway and Plainfield Road, immediately south of the Blue Ash Recreation Center and one mile east of the Kenwood Towne Centre.

Scale of Proposed Changes

Staff reports indicate the rezoning would allow up to 1,100 residential units plus 180,000 square feet of retail space, with building heights capped at five stories on the northern third of the site.

Hamilton County auditor data list the current median sale price for single-family homes in Blue Ash at $312,000 through June 2026, while nearby multifamily units in the Oakley neighborhood have traded at an average of $285,000 per unit since January.

The Blue Ash Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter supporting the application, citing the need for additional workforce housing near the former Blue Ash Airport site now slated for redevelopment by the city.

Next Steps for Residents

Full application materials are available for review at Blue Ash City Hall on Hunt Road and through an online portal on the city website until the close of business July 20.

Anyone wishing to speak at the hearing must register by 5 p.m. on July 21; comments may also be emailed to the planning department at [email protected].

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.