[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6273709,"mediaKeyId","2997661-bdd20de6aaf466125ee5d3d8f1f81d04","parentId",2997661,"title","Commission discusses bringing student representatives to Urban Forestry meetings to build continuity and outreach","audioSeconds",611,"startMs",2581000,"endMs",3192000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2997661-bdd20de6aaf466125ee5d3d8f1f81d04&start=2581&end=3192","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2997661-bdd20de6aaf466125ee5d3d8f1f81d04/thumbnail_2581000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6273709/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Commission-discusses-bringing-student-representatives-to-Urban-Forestry-meetings-to-build-continuity-and-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273709-7acf2acdc194f86fb6467f5a11b43ca0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213845&Signature=SfH40zpZDXZahl1vshr5mZ00YaraGuun2UO6~AcDappDyDuqW8RLAZf7LQZ-Ow5JPzWDkl7BayXApTF73xa8HF3kPsbPNjyECDqDPTtz7PRT6W8Q2OZ7MuAng5feA6sUpwJe35BC9TZqxdfVFiO-OEludMjvsY9C~6~cp7qwU~~MwTMAypocbLq0tQC8XNA9Int7nFAgMczfLYn8E6xeBvgYcXxB2sdnrcu3M672dWsoUN9f83pqJUDkFi6g0JR8pHWWRY2ohVXKasWkxqMFkSvVDxRYXAlQl6uENRrj~i6vbjMtIKt5rjG5HLR7wxMMMAEFs~kHiWQ5FQVJEx4oSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Stow, OH ","date","2025-04-15T08:36:53Z","article","At the April 14 meeting the Urban Forestry Commission explored options for involving high school or college students in the commission’s work, including nonvoting visitors, student representatives and internship-style participation.

Commissioners cited a nearby community (Avon Lake) that brought a high-school student onto its commission and reported positive results for youth engagement. Participants discussed models that range from informal visitors to formal student seats (potentially nonvoting) and whether a student should be paid or receive voting rights. Several commissioners favored starting with visitor status or a short-term (six-month) arrangement that could be extended to one- or two-year terms to preserve continuity.

Why it matters: Recruiting students would provide workforce development opportunities, broaden participation and create continuity across years; it could also formalize a pathway for career-technical education students to gain government experience.

Next steps and legal review: Commissioners requested staff to consult the city law department to determine what, if any, charter, bylaw or ordinance changes would be required to add a formal student member. Staff also agreed to contact local high-school career-technical-education (CTE) programs and regional school partners to identify interested students and program contacts. Commissioners planned to revisit the topic at the next meeting.

Ending: Staff said they will discuss legal requirements and school contacts, then report back to the commission; commissioners expressed support for piloting a student visitor program while exploring formal membership options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Urban Forestry Commission meeting 4/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","Members discussed inviting students as visitors or formal student representatives, reviewed models used by neighboring commissions, and directed staff to consult city law and local schools about legal steps and program design.","taxTitle","Stow City, Summit County, Ohio","taxId",55000,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6273714,"Urban Forestry Commission readies spring plantings; discusses sapling distribution, volunteers and outreach materials",891,1529000,2420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2997661-bdd20de6aaf466125ee5d3d8f1f81d04&start=1529&end=2420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2997661-bdd20de6aaf466125ee5d3d8f1f81d04/thumbnail_1529000.jpg","/articles/6273714/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Urban-Forestry-Commission-readies-spring-plantings-discusses-sapling-distribution-volunteers-and-outreach-materials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273714-ecfb88b0932f7d55de7c2f745533054a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213845&Signature=nrX6k4FbkkHE-yb~bRs2AhrmzvPd0rL00CborXCpZkLvBUmiWfZazVJooYfQq~isYdcPJ6n8kZAJhfiJU3~TMmi9XdQ54MhaeHbIiZMmW027wtxus-5avC~IxGm1iyxpUd9ODJ9o5u7kJRlVCOouB83W1t4IuN31PJF3gm58KL9x2KU0FrNBnVYyE5dTlFhZSZ-oJoiHgseJ60IioElCoxDdpdBvpOju7OJettUj38fqmjjTIchx4yCETnRLsrCnTmepIXYVozQc2DpIe5OQfidnM4hg8hDnvMI8CIiJ77epWluX1KpzD6d7whIGivbpGgm~EfkIBlz3Da~De~nCgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners at the Stow City Urban Forestry Commission meeting on April 14 discussed logistics for multiple upcoming plantings and outreach efforts, including a woodland tree-planting event scheduled two days after the meeting and a larger spring-planting day on April 26.

Laura reported that commissioners had bagged the saplings and that Parks & Recreation was expected to transport them. She told the commission the saplings were “all downstairs, and they're ready to go.” Commissioners asked staff to confirm transport and whether a bucket truck would be available; staff agreed to follow up and email confirmations.

Why it matters: The spring plantings and sapling distribution are the commission’s primary public-engagement activities for the season. Successful logistics affect tree survival, volunteer experience and public outreach.

Logistics and assignments discussed:
- Woodland planting: Moved to Wednesday, two days after the April 14 meeting, 12:45–2:45 p.m.; Parks & Rec expected to manage transport and coordination with schools. Commissioners and staff discussed a bucket truck and police crossing support for school groups.
- Sapling preparation: Commissioners prepared saplings and placed them in bags; one commissioner reported 368 saplings prepared (transcript: “368, I think”). Linda prepared a half-page handout with planting instructions to be included in each bag; commissioners reviewed the handout and offered edits.
- Volunteer roles for the April 26 spring event: Commissioners assigned pruning to Jeff and mulching to John and sought additional volunteers for mulching. Several commissioners indicated availability to assist with set-up or Friday preparations but noted schedule conflicts for Saturday.
- Larger plantings and staging: Commissioners and staff discussed a larger multi-tree planting (transcript references “250 trees” and lists of species; the transcript phrasing was not always clear on species names or exact counts). Staff noted wet-site challenges at planned locations and said some sites might be postponed if conditions remain saturated.
- Outreach materials and webpage: Commissioners agreed to compile planting guides, reformat source materials and create a single page on the city website with a QR code for quick public access. Parks & Rec marketing staff offered to create a short pamphlet or reformat materials if commissioners provide text and imagery. Commissioners agreed to email materials to one commission contact to consolidate and forward to web/marketing staff.
- Media and content: Commissioners mentioned an existing video featuring Sue discussing the city’s tree cost program and agreed the video could remain part of outreach materials.

Quotations and attributions: “We put all the sack ones in the bags, and they're all downstairs, and they're ready to go,” Commissioner Laura said when describing sapling preparation. Planning staff and Parks & Rec staff agreed to confirm transport and supplies by email.

Ending: Staff will confirm vehicle/equipment availability and sapling transport and will email commissioners with logistics; commissioners will collect outreach text and images for a single page and a QR code linking to planting instructions.","At the April 14 meeting commissioners reviewed logistics for imminent woodland and spring plantings, assigned pruning and mulching volunteers, and agreed to develop web and QR-code outreach materials; Parks & Rec staff and commission members will confirm transport and equipment details.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6273719,"Stow City planning staff seek Urban Forestry Commission input on draft tree preservation, landscape standards",1026,290000,1316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2997661-bdd20de6aaf466125ee5d3d8f1f81d04&start=290&end=1316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2997661-bdd20de6aaf466125ee5d3d8f1f81d04/thumbnail_290000.jpg","/articles/6273719/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Stow-City-planning-staff-seek-Urban-Forestry-Commission-input-on-draft-tree-preservation-landscape-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273719-0c2f727c4f83b2a743ed4054da47330b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213845&Signature=bustuiVor08jvhobsYqbkYSZvobLHRl~MTu6jJzqTqDFljU2az7rJMjdBeDhukFddyRSojJDALVy5nBkHE89l2nUP2Ga2DfSfgWh53gO1qBCCe3cZ0sQdVbPaE2Rb8dRDRSwAvJeK9KcPpRplEE5iL~aYuWgTLfupuehkBmTCwDag7-9G6fge-c~phnbI40VGojzGKOBTK9A4VNQ2NWO0hslOZtTWt8SMivLvsYEL~j1MCG7RGUUCM~znRQ24MYA-s0HWzO6wUoCevFVJrnLrtS9PNKMB9YzpHfIR4Xc5Az80soBNE2lqTxhs2BkxGCXtCZB6~BIgXicTxiH~-I89Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Stow City Urban Forestry Commission meeting on April 14, Planning Director Zach Hown and Deputy Planning Director Sarah presented the first draft of Zoning Code Chapter 8, which contains community open-space provisions, tree preservation rules and landscape standards, and asked the commission for written comments and a future review session.

Hown told the commission the draft is the first delivery of chapter 8 and that the most relevant portions for the commission are section 11.08.05 (tree preservation and removal) and section 11.08.06 (landscape standards). He said the rewrite is part of a larger zoning-code update and that the city is “probably 8 months out from adopting anything.” Commissioners were asked to redline the draft, email comments, or prepare questions for a follow-up review at a steering-committee meeting expected in mid-May.

Why it matters: The chapter would set procedural and technical expectations for preserving mature trees, qualifying removals, and minimum plantings on new development or redevelopment. Commissioners flagged several specifics that could affect implementation, including how the code would reference a city species list, handling of nonnative invasive plants, drought-tolerant plant requirements for small parcels, and exemptions for wetlands or flood-prone basins.

Key details from the discussion:
- Scope and timing: Hown said the draft will route through the project’s steering committee and return to the commission for more detailed review; adoption was described as about eight months away.
- Species list: The draft references a city tree species list. Commissioners noted Stow maintains a recommended species list and a street-tree inventory in the master plan and suggested either referencing the master plan or keeping the code language general so updates do not require a code amendment.
- Invasive species: Commissioners recommended the draft rely on an official “nonnative invasive species” list rather than enumerating species in the code. Planning staff pointed to an administrative code from the state Department of Agriculture that was discussed as a candidate reference (transcript cited “administrative code 9015-30-01” and “Department of Ag, section 901.5”).
- Preservation thresholds and measurements: The draft sets size thresholds for preserved trees; commissioners discussed “12 inches” standards and referenced larger-caliper trees present in the inventory. A separate reference in the draft to caliper measurements was discussed (transcript reference: “Caliper in Nashville? For us. 4 and a half feet.”). The transcript did not record a clear, final numeric standard to adopt.
- Drought-tolerant requirement: Under landscape standards, the draft includes a provision that parcels under one-half acre must have a minimum of 50% drought-tolerant native plant material. Commissioners probed applicability and exceptions for sites with wetlands, basins, or other hydrologic constraints.
- Exemptions and review: Commissioners asked how the code would treat sites where preservation cannot be practicably designed into a project; planning staff said such determinations would be reviewed by the city arborist or planning director (defined in the draft as the planning director or their designee). The commission discussed adding explicit exemptions for regulated wetlands, frequently flooded basins and other sites where the required plantings would be infeasible.
- Parking-lot and stormwater: The landscape standards separate perimeter screening from interior parking-island requirements; a rain-garden option is present in the draft. Commissioners asked whether parking-lot plantings should also be credited for stormwater control or limited to screening and aesthetic functions; staff said the perimeter planting area language is primarily for screening but that the draft includes an optional rain-garden approach.

What comes next: Staff asked commissioners to review the draft and return comments by email or at the next commission meeting; Hown indicated staff will bring the draft back after the steering-committee review (mid-May). Planning staff said final compliance determinations would be made by the city arborist or planning director/designee.

Quote: “So over the last, about last year, we even started the zoning code update. This is the first draft of chapter 8,” Planning Director Zach Hown said while introducing the document to the commission.

Ending: Commissioners agreed to review the materials and provide written comments; staff will schedule another presentation to the commission after steering-committee review. No formal action on amendments or adoption was taken at the April 14 meeting.","Planning Director Zach Hown presented the first draft of Zoning Code Chapter 8 at the Urban Forestry Commission meeting April 14 and asked commissioners to review sections on tree preservation (11.08.05) and landscape standards (11.08.06); staff said adoption is roughly eight months away and will return for additional feedback.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission discusses bringing student representatives to Urban Forestry meetings to build continuity and outreach

Urban Forestry Commission readies spring plantings; discusses sapling distribution, volunteers and outreach materials

Stow City planning staff seek Urban Forestry Commission input on draft tree preservation, landscape standards