About Sycamore

From its rural beginnings in 1803, the Sycamore area has established and maintained one of the oldest forms of government known in America. Brought to England by the Pilgrims, the Township form of government is believed to date back as far as 890AD. Until well into the 20th century, Sycamore Township’s fertile hills and valleys and thick forests served as an agricultural area with a few small communities spread throughout. As the years passed, many of those communities such as Sharonville, Reading, Deer Park, Amberly Village, Blue Ash, Glendale, Montgomery and Evendale gained in population enough to become incorporated cities and withdraw from the township. Several other communities formed in the unincorporated areas of the township in the 1800’s, including Rossmoyne, Milldale, Breacon and High Point. After World War II came the explosive growth of two new subdivisions, Kenwood and Dillionvale and the township’s population grew from only a few thousand to well over 20,000 in just a few short years. Since then, the Northern section of Sycamore Township has become home for many companies’ national and international headquarters. As population in these surrounding communities grew, the 80’s witnessed a spectacular growth in the Kenwood business area with shopping mall expansions and new office complexes being constructed.

Today with a population of over 20,000 residents, Sycamore Township remains a thriving and growing community. It is governed by a board of three trustees and a clerk/treasurer. Townships cannot levy taxes in an excess of 10 mils without taxpayer’s approval by ballot and townships cannot levy any earning or income taxes. With no earnings tax, the Township operates with the local real estate tax, which the township uses to provide for police, fire, life squad and general maintenance.

Sycamore Township attracts revenue from all over the Cincinnati Metropolitan area with its shopping malls, business complexes, restaurants, theaters and new recreation facilities. Situated between two major highways (I-71& I-75) Sycamore Township is only minutes away from downtown, museums, the Arts, major sporting events, theme parks, airports and more………..

Life in Sycamore Township just isn’t what it used to be. 200 years ago, the seven square miles of present day Township land were nothing but farms and wilderness. Today, Sycamore Township is a thriving community of 20,000 residents and hundreds of businesses with all the advantages of central suburban living and a few more besides.

One advantage is the Township structure itself, a form of government created when all of Ohio was divided into parcels at the states founding. While the term may have a rustic flavor, Township government is actually quite appropriate to the size and scope of community activities. An elected Board of three Trustees and one clerk streamlines the decision making process, resulting in timely action and services to Township residents and responsible representation of the community’s interests in larger regional issues.

No local income tax! Low property taxes and zero earning tax keep more money in the pockets of residents and provides a direct competitive advantage to employers in any economic climate.

Police and Crime Prevention
Sycamore Township Protective services are among the best and highest rated in the region. An experienced, well equipped police force is contracted under the Hamilton County Sheriff to patrol Township neighborhoods in round-the-clock shifts, seven days a week. Sycamore Township is a safe place to live and work largely through the efforts of officers, township officials, businesses and residents all working together in several highly successful crime education and prevention programs.

Emergency and Fire Protection
The Sycamore Township EMS and Fire Department was formed in 1995 from two nearby private agencies. The department operates from two stations, one serving the northern Township and the other located at the main Sycamore Township complex, serving the southern portion of the Township. Both facilities are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All fire trucks and life squads are equipped with the transport pumpers and life squad providing advanced life support capability. In addition to basic fire suppression and EMS response, the Township Fire Department provides Hazardous Materials response, handles heavy rescue operations and offers public safety education in CPR, sports injury treatment and prevention, and home and property safety inspections. Several Sycamore Township firefighters are specially trained members of the Hamilton County Urban Search and Rescue team, Greater Cincinnati HAZ-MAT(Hazardous Materials) team and the SCAT (Special County Arson Task Force) team.

Maintenance Services
Over 50 miles of Township streets are maintained year round by the 10 person crew and half a million dollar road repair budget. During the fall, four leaf pick up units cruise all streets and roads within the Township collecting and mulching leaves from the curbside. When the ice and snow finally do arrive, Sycamore Township operates six snow plows-salt trucks, spreading over 1,000 tons of salt over an average winter. Two trash bashes are held every spring to assist residents in the proper disposal of unwanted items such as old refrigerators, washers, dryer’s tires, and old paint. Fallen tree branches and limbs from severe storms are collected free of charge-when a declaration of a storm has been made by the Township Fire Chief. Residents should place any storm damage at the curbside and notify the Township that they are in need of the service. Through a scheduled monthly Brush Chipping Program, residents can also drop off tree and brush trimmings behind the Township Administration Building free of charge for the recycling of wood chips and mulch. A scheduled brush or trash pick up can also be arranged through the Maintenance Department for a per truck fee. Other services that keep the Maintenance Department busy include Christmas tree chipping, bi-annual mulch give-a-way, tree/stump removal in the right of way and the coordination of sidewalk repairs.

Earning, Learning and Living
Today, Sycamore Township is home to a desirable blend of affordable to upscale residential neighborhoods, light industry and commercial businesses, Jewish Hospital and surrounding medical professions, first rate office space and thriving retail districts encompassing Kenwood Towne Centre and Sycamore Plaza. Six different public school systems, as well as faith-based schools offer excellent education experiences across a wide range of environments. The Township also maintains several public parks, green space and recreational facilities with baseball and soccer fields, shelters, playgrounds, nature trails and more.

Local Planning and Zoning
It’s no surprise that more and more people want to live, work and shop in a place like Sycamore Township. These days managing growth and change in a major metropolitan area is a complex issue and often subject to political realities far beyond the neighborhoods they affect. In 1998, the majority of Sycamore Township residents decided it was a good idea to keep as much of this decision making at home and voted to adopt local zoning authority. This means that the Township is free to make its own Planning & Zoning decisions. The Board of Trustees has since hired a zoning administrator to oversee daily compliance and created a Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals to review zone changes and variances.

Plans for the Township
Providing high quality services to the community is the highest priority that the Township can pursue. Over the decades residents, employers and Township officials have sought a common vision for Sycamore Township. And that is to remain one of Greater Cincinnati’s most desirable places to live, work, shop and play. If you are new to Sycamore Township, we welcome you and encourage you and your active participation in our community. If you have lived here all your life you have probably helped in many ways, and we thank you. And if you are thinking about moving your family or business, why not join us?

For more information about Sycamore Township, please call the Township Administration office at (513) 791-8447.

There’s more in Sycamore!