[{"_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",6263230,"mediaKeyId","3107943-91b61ae28f85d9da04eaedebeebb12c7","parentId",3107943,"title","Planning commission gets chapter‑by‑chapter preview of proposed zoning code overhaul","audioSeconds",940,"startMs",3284000,"endMs",4224000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3107943-91b61ae28f85d9da04eaedebeebb12c7&start=3284&end=4224","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3107943-91b61ae28f85d9da04eaedebeebb12c7/thumbnail_3284000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6263230/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Planning-commission-gets-chapterbychapter-preview-of-proposed-zoning-code-overhaul","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263230-3754df68f0e7e28ec3f09f10e81718d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168524&Signature=PPyv1f~IPhqKEIPHL4yVxCd3GdgzQaTGARVZXflFLX4jTEmI0d3QlrjmqyarEuxJdWhk9ilJo6ECYPvCJFGBfh5dOm-VGiFblmA-8qKHnX0MEL6x7GGQdIGd5m3ftEho1ORaILhdz9NRZEK6NQz81TfARO5sLHU5lUMAomOw9wAgApXN101U56KSruLf6IFoITdXLQLWsv2AjsS6BAYHy4wyNim4OTu~s9XIbQjMER4kskaJthbPCP3gEcyJBj8PE~1TnUAH1PkV8LwKkwLWBJ8QCSvIwosLx2jhL78kdno~2vg1hxZ2yxWHoRhNo3D2ieqqd~nwvXNuCi~ggNpplA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Stow, OH ","date","2025-04-24T08:04:49.98Z","article","Planning staff gave commissioners an overview of a major proposed rewrite of the city's zoning code, outlining intentions to consolidate several zoning districts, add new district types for public/institutional uses and planned developments, and reduce some minimum lot sizes to reduce nonconforming lots.

Staff said the steering committee has produced multiple draft chapters and will hold public steering‑committee meetings (staff mentioned one on May 7) that are open to the public. Planning staff asked commissioners whether they preferred chapter‑by‑chapter walk‑throughs or higher‑level summaries; commissioners asked for chapter‑by‑chapter presentations so they can review changes in detail.

Key items discussed included:
- Consolidating the existing eight commercial districts into three new categories: C1 (neighborhood commercial), C2 (community commercial) and C3 (regional commercial). Staff said C3 would cover higher‑intensity corridors such as Kent and Fish Creek.
- Consolidating multiple industrial districts into a single I district and raising allowable building heights to about 60 feet to better accommodate modern warehouse needs.
- Creating two new districts: PI (Public & Institutional) to better fit large public and institutional sites (schools, government campuses), and PD (Planned Development) to allow tailor‑made development texts for major infill projects (the Sheetz/Chick‑fil‑A site was given as an example).
- Recommending reduced lot‑area minimums for single‑family districts (R1, R2, R3) to cut the number of nonconforming lots in half or better; staff noted the consultant recommended aiming for a 10% nonconformity rate but said the working proposal would reduce nonconformity substantially without an abrupt policy change.
- Proposed adjustments to setbacks, building heights, lot‑width definitions, and new visual‑transition standards to reduce abrupt scale changes between adjacent properties.

“ I can work on a table that points out all the revisions, whether it’s a substantial one or just a housekeeping change,” staff told commissioners and offered to present chapters in smaller segments so commissioners can follow the proposed changes.

Commissioners asked for clearer redline documents and tables summarizing what is new versus what is rearranged, and requested that staff continue presenting chapters in digestible increments. Staff said the full clean drafts and redlines are available online and that staff will return with the next chapter(s) at a future meeting.

No formal action or vote was taken on the code rewrite at the meeting; staff emphasized the project remains in the review and public‑engagement phase.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Stow - Planning Commission Meeting - April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff reviewed proposed zoning code revisions with commissioners, outlining consolidated commercial and industrial districts, new Public/Institutional and Planned Development districts, recommended lot‑size reductions and other changes; staff will return with chapter‑by‑chapter presentations and a revision table.","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},6263232,"Planning commission approves Fish Creek lot split, Chick‑fil‑A modification and Hudson Drive revisions",608,2263000,2871000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3107943-91b61ae28f85d9da04eaedebeebb12c7&start=2263&end=2871","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3107943-91b61ae28f85d9da04eaedebeebb12c7/thumbnail_2263000.jpg","/articles/6263232/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Planning-commission-approves-Fish-Creek-lot-split-ChickfilA-modification-and-Hudson-Drive-revisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263232-64021015241bd359d7a0a5db57743bed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168524&Signature=OgGfp0LCJlX9ItVOh-bIJ5DHcv5GKwe2lUaDGCDbawo2jzUAs24Xo0z6Tws2vAOaQCcdhK-gtr2omXMPe8R65UGAjQ1W5i-I1KW-kbf734sM~b9~t3LdXw2d6NOxtcOJpLk~70yKsqphwIp0DROhmtMMhZ1ILRrAeZQgMhXVHNw~F1SGie89GqlEHpbCNed0HLAFWOONAluufS7hE87MbehQ7QeRqQCa~BUAE-KmxmDjj2umP5-FFuMBb8pkUKmAU5d1P9dDV-Z79NhRsC7a4qWI2wVwkY-fZSBKeO1L4vmLe1nhY1zU7miFFVTDM1oJxRdsP0CJVtclcOdwi1u7-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stow City Planning Commission unanimously approved three development items at its meeting: a Fish Creek Road minor subdivision to split the Balicinos property, a modification to an approved Chick‑fil‑A site plan in the Kent Road development, and a modification to the Natalia/Hudson Drive independent living plan.

Fish Creek Road lot split (PC2025‑009)
Staff described an application to split a 4.72‑acre parcel at 4657 Fish Creek Road that contains the Balicinos building and a pet care facility. The proposal would create two parcels: Parcel A to contain the Balicinos building and Parcel B, the rear lot, which would not have street frontage. Staff identified two variances required for the split: a rear parking setback variance (parking roughly 4 feet from a new rear property line where 10 feet is required) and a variance for Parcel B to have no lot frontage where 20 feet is required. Engineering recommended a condition that an agreement be submitted to maintain the existing stormwater basin on Parcel B to meet the original design criteria for Parcel A prior to approval. Commissioners approved the minor subdivision by roll call.

Chick‑fil‑A site plan modification (PC2025‑0104285)
Commissioners approved a modification to the previously approved multi‑tenant development on Kent Road that contains Sheetz, two rear retail buildings and a Chick‑fil‑A. The modification reduces total parking from 82 to 75 spaces because of a redesigned front parking area and adds a second access drive configured as one‑way in/one‑way out. Two rear landscape islands were removed to accommodate vehicle delivery access (W/B‑60 truck turning was cited), and staff said landscaping and parking‑lot interior landscape percentages remain in compliance. The front building setback was adjusted from about 27 feet to 43 feet from Kent Road; side setbacks were increased in some locations. The applicant said the work will improve delivery maneuvers and operational circulation; a representative said construction is anticipated to begin in the fall. The commission approved the modification by roll call.

Hudson Drive (Natalia) modification (PC2025‑0114316)
The commission approved changes to a previously approved phased independent‑living residential development behind the site outlined in red on the plan. The most recent approval had called for a total of 33 units across several three‑unit and one six‑unit building; the modification splits the six‑unit building into two three‑unit buildings so the overall plan will have 11 three‑unit buildings. Buildings were shifted slightly closer to Hudson Drive while still meeting the applicable 80‑foot setback; five parking spaces were relocated within the site. Staff said the changes responded to engineering and fire comments and that site clearing has already begun; the project representative said a preconstruction meeting with county sewer services was expected next week. The commission approved the modification by roll call.

All three motions passed by unanimous roll call votes (Mrs. Clancy, Mr. Wagner, Mrs. Treptow and Mr. Basic all voted yes). Staff noted engineering conditions and, in the case of the Fish Creek split, required documentation that will need to be submitted and recorded before final subdivision approval is completed.","The commission unanimously approved three separate applications: a Fish Creek Road minor subdivision to split the Balicinos parcel, a Chick‑fil‑A site plan modification at Kent Road, and a modification to the Natalia/Hudson Drive independent living plan.",{"_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},6263236,"Planning commission approves 7 Brew drive‑thru at 4397 Kent Road despite parking and setback variances",683,430000,1113000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3107943-91b61ae28f85d9da04eaedebeebb12c7&start=430&end=1113","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3107943-91b61ae28f85d9da04eaedebeebb12c7/thumbnail_430000.jpg","/articles/6263236/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Planning-commission-approves-7-Brew-drivethru-at-4397-Kent-Road-despite-parking-and-setback-variances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263236-6d9722c04d0655b776804edaf84679cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168524&Signature=GXRsGeBqAzQMGtLe5xV5WnCUwdxm8sh~x7eBc-g-SZDqBRdspzSet27w68xm~4diihPmnG9gb5N8FbkZ6nlbnWuZIgEwbzgpsDWHNjw1PtYnOeStf-ZXC1Rsz7wuu3qAvX2IpPfPtBBIy2buroBnFXRJuSOC0WcNVS7xIiH8Iecc0pTxcYPnFZOqJu8gl3X7aJJ4KdAZAR4GiVyt0iMih3hlWmWz3AzNZnL8OraMmj9b2etDpmaaAlm-Yb-jrnoVND1BwDyzIzD5IiE7o2xrYGT-cG~wnDvgGNaJLvJPmB-bPJohpEmy5SSrNKtNaGPjez0BKkgaWw6WH1Y4VLfuTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stow City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a site plan, two conditional uses and two variances for a 7 Brew drive‑through at 4397 Kent Road, a small lot in Fish Creek Plaza between O’Reilly Auto Parts and Midas.

Commissioners approved the application after staff presented the proposal and after several residents and neighboring property owners raised concerns about queueing and an access easement that runs through adjacent lots.

The project calls for demolishing the existing building where Rent‑A‑Center sat and replacing it with a 543‑square‑foot drive‑through coffee building, two drive‑through lanes, a bypass lane for vehicles and emergency access, a detached cooler at the rear of the building and a canopy over the drive‑through. The applicant asked for two variances: to provide 16 parking spaces where the code requires a minimum of 20, and to locate parking about 4 feet from the west property line where 10 feet is required. The site plan also shows three new shade trees, roughly 70 shrubs, and a sidewalk providing pedestrian access from Kent Road.

“ We are providing 16 parking spaces, which we believe is maximum of that we can provide on this lot. It’s a very narrow lot, very long,” said the applicant’s representative during the hearing. The applicant also explained employees will carry drinks to the exterior pickup lane using a striped walkway; the canopy and heaters were described as protections for staff during inclement weather.

Neighbors and business owners urged the commission to consider how drive‑through stacking might affect adjoining properties. Ed Jessen of Hoffman Lee, representing an interested owner, warned that the proposed queue could spill into an easement that serves a five‑tenant building and a Wingstop, calling it “a detriment to the tenants that are there.” Property owner Waleed Lababidi told the commission the development risked making rear parking unusable for his plaza tenants and said, “it’s gonna kill my tenants because if they cannot … their customers cannot pull in and out at ease, they’re not gonna frequent their establishments.”

Applicants and staff said the drive‑through was drawn to contain stacking on the 7 Brew parcel and that the site plan shows space for roughly 10 stacked vehicles on the site plan; the applicant also said additional stacking could be accommodated before reaching the dumpster and that vehicles would be able to enter and exit via Kent Road. Staff noted the city engineering review and traffic study did not recommend additional public improvements based on the use.

The commission approved the site plan and variances (Planning Commission file PC25‑006) by roll call: Mrs. Clancy, Mr. Wagner, Mrs. Treptow and Mr. Basic all voted yes. The applicant and staff were asked to continue coordination with abutting property owners; staff said it had already provided contact information for the applicants and the abutting owner and would follow up before the next review step.

Sign package and front‑façade signage were discussed as a separate application (PC2025‑007). The applicant originally requested multiple wall signs and one monument sign; staff said the building’s front façade would only allow 23.5 square feet of signage under code, while the applicant proposed about 43.6 square feet on the front. During the meeting the applicant said it would reduce directional and drive‑through arrows and work with staff on sign size. The commission approved the signage application with a condition setting a capped maximum front sign area as clarified during the hearing and recorded by staff, and the motion carried by unanimous roll call.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that some matters concerning private access easements and maintenance would be governed by property‑owner agreements, not by the planning commission. Staff said any changes to maintenance or easement terms would have to be resolved between property owners. The commission approved the development applications and noted staff would continue outreach to abutting owners ahead of subsequent reviews.

Votes at a glance
- PC25‑006 (4397 Kent Road, 7 Brew): Motion to approve site plan, conditional uses and variances — Approved (Clancy: yes; Wagner: yes; Treptow: yes; Basic: yes). Outcome: approved.
- PC2025‑007 (7 Brew sign variance): Motion to approve with a cap placed on the front façade sign area per the condition discussed at the meeting — Approved (Clancy: yes; Wagner: yes; Treptow: yes; Basic: yes). Outcome: approved.

What happens next: The approvals clear the Planning Commission stage; staff said it would continue coordination with property owners and the applicant as the project moves to the next steps of the city’s review process.","The Stow City Planning Commission approved site‑plan and signage requests for a 7 Brew drive‑thru at 4397 Kent Road, granting variances for parking and a reduced west parking setback amid public concerns about stacking and access easements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission gets chapter‑by‑chapter preview of proposed zoning code overhaul

Planning commission approves Fish Creek lot split, Chick‑fil‑A modification and Hudson Drive revisions

Planning commission approves 7 Brew drive‑thru at 4397 Kent Road despite parking and setback variances