Despite the proverb that good fences make good neighbors, the new owner of the Marada golf course and the developer of a gas station and convenience store planned for next door decided they did not want to place a barrier between their Clinton businesses.

Instead, they preferred to promote their operations jointly and asked the Findlay supervisors to eliminate a requirement that the Kosis Convenience Center, 1424 Route 30, install an 8-foot privacy fence at its border with the golf course.

Supervisors readily agreed June 9 to remove fencing from the list of approval conditions they had imposed on the development last year, largely in response to concerns by neighbors opposing the project.

Tom Gallant, supervisors' chairman, said the convenience center would be an asset to the community, and he was glad to see cooperation among the local property owners.

"It's so far forward from where we were at the beginning," Mr. Gallant said.

Supervisors also OK'd substituting pine trees for a fence on the opposite side of the gas station, pending a final agreement with the Pinsoneault family who lives there.

Developer Edward Kosis, of Findlay, is expecting to open a 3,000-square-foot convenience store/deli and eight-pump Shell station, across from Moody Road, around Thanksgiving.

It would be the only place to buy gasoline in the Clinton Village district.

Last year, his plan had fueled opposition from neighbors concerned about potential negative effects on their properties. In January, a group of 11 people, including homeowners and former golf course owners Bill Ehrlich and Deborah Evans Crawford, lost a legal challenge of the gas station project.

But the tone changed after the Maronda Foundation -- the charitable arm of home builder Maronda Homes Inc.-- purchased the nine-hole golf course in March, with plans to expand.

"They've come to me with open arms, and we're looking to promote both businesses and beautify the area," Mr. Kosis said.

He said a pathway might connect the two properties to cater to golfers.

In a letter to the township, Marada's golf manager, Randy Haffley, said a fence would interfere with the natural beauty of the landscape and obstruct the view of the golf course entrance, as had a pre-existing fence near Route 30.

"We dismantled the fence and our volume of business increased dramatically," Mr. Haffley said.

Proceeds of the golf course benefit the Maronda Foundation's youth programs.