[{"_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",6184283,"mediaKeyId","5091463-e1068965af2e273c116d7e0c94b36e92","parentId",5091463,"title","Stow planning officials push large zoning rewrite; council raises questions on dispensary buffers, lot‑size cuts and mixed‑use overlay","audioSeconds",2892,"startMs",6400000,"endMs",9292000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091463-e1068965af2e273c116d7e0c94b36e92&start=6400&end=9292","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091463-e1068965af2e273c116d7e0c94b36e92/thumbnail_6400000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184283/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Stow-planning-officials-push-large-zoning-rewrite-council-raises-questions-on-dispensary-buffers-lotsize-cuts-and-mixeduse-overlay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184283-f9e7e4dbdd32fc32d7e5ec022f672943/orig.mp4?Expires=1770428291&Signature=KvHaVVj9UU8z7l-nK2ScMJPg1w2Su~K8kLSZ0uR6Oe20SYQVOT5rR071fMAANq9s4DbCWNivi2rr1QnxO96F~wH9m0H0NQBxpD88a1XDxZnF1wUUAmOhylqolVpx7o~DfUeFPfdkqE70n9-GFGejkR~7ocExkPAEXbWcSRTF3DkVUimCR2DGMORZ4GMoOAKydj6jgkCnw9KlZd3EJjr0tbYLdl4YtEZBC8QJpf~887oCXIwKIdHxvCu4mxnou7~dlnNlLZ2Tn-IRoKAr1fggR8ojK~yIz19Wi8gVrR~dsgo-w0lZMTb1K1ztCQKB2ely9uaw-GKs4rWDURH~qrSOoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Stow, OH ","date","2025-06-27T01:55:55Z","article","Planning staff walked Stow City Council’s planning committee through draft chapters of a comprehensive zoning code rewrite on June 26, proposing consolidated base districts, smaller minimum lot sizes, and two new overlay tools intended to encourage more flexible infill and pedestrian‑oriented development.

Planning Director Mister Herman and consultant staff described major changes including: consolidating eight commercial districts down to three and combining industrial I‑1 and I‑2 into a single industrial district; reducing minimum residential lot sizes (R‑1 from 20,000 to 15,000 square feet; R‑2 from 16,000 to 10,000; R‑3 from 12,000 to 7,000); abolishing minimum lot sizes for commercial and industrial parcels; adding a public institutional district for government and school properties; and creating a “major plan development” zoning tool that would allow a developer to propose a bespoke development text for large sites (initial threshold discussed at 4–5 acres).

Herman said a nonconformity analysis found roughly 60% of the city’s residential lots do not meet current minimum lot‑size requirements; the proposed reductions would increase legal conformance to an estimated 15–20% in residential districts because the city’s lot pattern is already highly developed.

The presentation also described a “mixed‑use overlay” for the corridor roughly between Graham Road and Kent Road to encourage ground‑floor retail and upper‑floor housing, require buildings near the sidewalk and place parking at the rear. Planning staff said the design would encourage walkable, downtown‑style development but emphasized the draft is only conceptual and developers would still need site approvals.

Several councilmembers and members of the public expressed caution. Council President Kyle Feldman asked whether allowing bars, taverns and nightclubs in the mixed‑use overlay might provoke opposition; Councilmember Kelly Coffey said she opposed a reduced 500‑foot buffer for cannabis dispensaries from schools and places of worship and preferred eliminating dispensaries in the city. Councilmember Jeremy McIntyre asked for side‑by‑side tables showing permitted versus proposed uses; others requested clearer definitions for “bar,” “tavern” and “nightclub” so the code cannot be interpreted inconsistently. Planning staff agreed to circulate a draft of the new definition chapter within about a week.

On conditional uses the draft would permit one cannabis dispensary citywide in the new C‑3 district (subject to state‑required 500‑foot buffers from schools/playgrounds/parks and a one‑mile spacing between stores), still allow tobacco/vape retailers only in C‑3 with a 25% sales threshold to distinguish them from general retailers, and restrict car washes by a one‑mile spacing rule (which staff said would effectively allow roughly three in the city under the proposed C‑3 limits).

Council members asked for additional explanatory materials and for the planning department to produce a consolidated “before/after” table of permitted and conditional uses for review. Herman said a near‑final consolidated code draft should be available in July or August; the plan is to take it to planning commission in September and schedule public outreach and an open house in August. In the meantime the committee agreed to keep the chapters in committee so staff can return with edits and the requested comparison tables.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Stow - Council & Committee Meeting - June 26th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning department and consultants presented major draft changes to Stow City’s zoning code — consolidating commercial and industrial districts, shrinking minimum residential lot sizes and creating mixed‑use and planned‑development overlays — while council members asked for more definitions and asked planners to preserve protections around schools and neighborhoods.","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},6184286,"Engineers tell Stow City council Echo Road drainage needs upstream and downstream fixes; upsizing Highwood sewer could cost about $500,000",851,495000,1346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091463-e1068965af2e273c116d7e0c94b36e92&start=495&end=1346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091463-e1068965af2e273c116d7e0c94b36e92/thumbnail_495000.jpg","/articles/6184286/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Engineers-tell-Stow-City-council-Echo-Road-drainage-needs-upstream-and-downstream-fixes-upsizing-Highwood-sewer-could-cost-about-500000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184286-bf83fae82186d2f243e9ce81550d0ee3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770428291&Signature=MTZLajscYVTfBq-I93K2pAAEmr~-rFDHzNr-u0fO3JV8Q3qgvhNo8h5v0IktXn~iWVQREFM8C1-nQd9W0QIYL4T0rP6sRX1J1iOGyFyhrCmL6UDrM1ks~4pf3g0JAZcgFPk4VrM22WFsOd~ikivIEncf4wVJe7HDhLpoO3-ocnvrPRVL7WuymbOSaXmgCnmreMg7MmpMrwoEJKtV-qJsGu6c1kgpTfBMOPFPy194~weOWBfXZtn4QbfrCNZh5xi9XPXYCDJgfCjrMDIJt64FbeJN6tFwy6Y5iNheMvUR8Q8F8biNAMXcggy7157YfmEykIZmdTwbCNz4vgoiRqvgWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Engineers who performed a months‑long stormwater study for the Echo Road neighborhood told Stow City officials on June 26 that recurring basement flooding is driven by undersized sewer pipes in the eastern drainage area and a constrained open channel downstream in Monroe Falls.

The study presentation, delivered by Kyle Riggenbach and Pete Nieuwjebauer of engineering firm DLZ, mapped three drainage subareas that ultimately discharge to the Cuyahoga River and showed two sewer surcharge locations plus one open‑channel capacity problem in Monroe Falls. Riggenbach said Highwood’s sewer would need to be upsized to a 48‑inch pipe to carry the eastern drainage flows, and that downstream channel improvements in Monroe Falls must be completed first for the upsized sewer to function as intended.

That combination of undersized sewer and restricted channel, DLZ said, explains why the neighborhood repeatedly records street ponding and basement backups. Riggenbach described soils in the project area as “mostly clays with a very thin layer of topsoil,” which make infiltration negligible and cause rapid sheet flow toward the low spots. He also noted record pipes, including an unusual 39‑inch segment installed in 1959, remain under capacity for present drainage areas.

DLZ recommended several incremental fixes city staff could pursue quickly and at lower cost than reconstructing curb/gutter and full sewer rebuilds. Those options included installing targeted relief sewers in low spots (for example a relief that would take flow from a 3.75‑acre low spot and redirect it to Pinehurst) and extending an existing relief sewer between Maple and Echo to drain an oft‑flooded yard area. A localized solution near Echo Road was estimated as a Class‑4 estimate at about $160,000; the Highwood sewer upsizing alone was described as a Class‑5 (order‑of‑magnitude) construction estimate of about $500,000.

Councilmembers pressed staff on whether an ongoing State Route 91 reconstruction project could be used as an opportunity to replace the undersized 15‑inch outfall in the western drainage area. Don, a service department representative, said the 91 project plans were completed before the study and do not include storm‑sewer work at that pinch point, though the city will investigate whether any storm elements are possible when the road work begins next year.

DLZ and councilmembers emphasized chronology for benefits: “You build from the outlet back toward the inlets,” Assistant City Engineer Kyle Jones said, repeating a point made by councilmembers that improving the Monroe Falls channel (the outlet) is the cost‑effective first step before upsizing Highwood. Riggenbach agreed, saying channel widening and stabilization are among the more economical ways to increase capacity but require permitting and coordination with downstream owners.

James Houston, an Echo Road resident, spoke during public comment and confirmed repeated standing water in his yard and concerns about property‑level access during construction. Riggenbach clarified the detention basin shown in the study was considered but not recommended as a standalone solution because the flat topography prevented sufficient depth for storage and discharge without extensive new sewers.

Council and staff directed a short follow‑up plan: (1) inspect the 91 outfall (including a camera inspection) before the 91 reconstruction opens the road next year, (2) pursue an interlocal conversation with Monroe Falls about channel improvements, and (3) request engineering cost estimates to break the study’s recommendations into four smaller, fundable projects for the committee’s next report.

The committee did not take a formal vote to adopt any construction immediately; instead members asked staff and DLZ to return with cost breakdowns and a schedule for next steps.

","Engineers who performed a stormwater study for Echo Road told Stow City on June 26 that frequent flooding there is caused by undersized sewer pipes on Highwood and a constrained open channel in Monroe Falls, and recommended a mix of targeted relief sewers and downstream channel upgrades — steps that city staff said they will cost and schedule before any full sewer reconstruction.",{"_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},6184280,"Stow council approves two new firefighters after officials cite rising call volume and overlapping incidents",1524,5339000,6863000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091463-e1068965af2e273c116d7e0c94b36e92&start=5339&end=6863","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091463-e1068965af2e273c116d7e0c94b36e92/thumbnail_5339000.jpg","/articles/6184280/Stow-City/Summit-County/Ohio/Stow-council-approves-two-new-firefighters-after-officials-cite-rising-call-volume-and-overlapping-incidents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184280-0f7e33999c240b9822e3879b03c5b77a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770428291&Signature=R2BsYYhfN80aaj5YoFzB~EIaUGVrJFL9defF11ryRlp-LVvvELDjWSBTVNlJ93L2KKKRbeW57TzvWi8xswr6rIDH5E02a9WxaZ~bKypBADAHiG8Y-oDx4aReNbfO3AD0~DvbRSFSiUrkbfxqTKAG3MCFiaxlxRt8BCKtfyf-H504qE9G2qDIlkmTSxY8lsVMfT~Jz1RDRMLv1oMvt5DeCVOKnJXEpoaqDBrNalqxCp3k5DorPsnoZ12ydVjRO9CxCtP-d0MI3343sXjB~7aJgwKwFlluB4g8l2l4k5evPeMuXU4W0LxgyTaXqOTtyu3huj-9duDWQJNOMMwBy2SsDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stow City council voted on June 26 to authorize the immediate hiring of two additional full‑time firefighters after fire department leaders warned that call volume is outpacing the department’s existing staffing model and that overlapping incidents are increasingly leaving the city with no in‑town units available.

Fire Chief Stone, Assistant Chief Lang and Captain Troy Acker presented year‑to‑date figures showing rapid growth in emergency calls. The department reported about 5,524 calls in 2024, said Lang, and projected more than 6,000 calls this year with trends pointing toward roughly 6,500 calls next year. Year‑to‑date (as of the meeting) the department had recorded 2,966 calls, of which 2,006 — about 68% — occurred while another unit was already on a call (an “overlapping incident”). Chief Stone said overlapping incidents are forcing the department to rely on mutual aid for some calls and are driving high overtime costs.

Department officials described the city’s current minimum daily staffing model as 15–16 personnel per shift (A‑shift currently carries one extra person), which leaves each station with a single staffed fire apparatus/ambulance on many days. Assistant Chief Lang explained the department’s practice of sending two personnel in an ambulance and a third in a “chase” vehicle to reduce hospital wait time and keep at least one trained responder available in‑city for subsequent calls. But Lang said that practice cannot fully close the gap when multiple calls arrive together.

Chief Stone asked council to authorize two hires immediately (to equalize A/B/C shifts to 16 personnel each and raise the daily minimum staffing to 11), and proposed adding three more hires in 2026 to reach a sustainable level that more reliably supports a fourth ambulance. Councilmembers questioned timing, budget sustainment and the source of the applicant list; Stone said HR had candidates who had cleared many pre‑employment steps and that new testing is scheduled for September to build a longer eligibility list.

Several councilmembers signaled support for immediate action. Councilmember Jeremy McIntyre asked whether two hires would materially reduce the system stress; department leaders said the hires would not guarantee a fourth ambulance but would increase the number of days that a fourth ambulance could be placed in service and would reduce overtime. Finance staff told council there was an existing budget line that covered one new firefighter for 2025 and that adding two hires late in the fiscal year would not create an immediate budget shortfall; they cautioned that adding three more hires in 2026 would need to be prioritized in next year’s budget cycle.

Nick Nicholson, vice president of IAFF Local 1662, read a union letter into the record expressing full support for increasing firefighter staffing now, saying the current model “can no longer safely manage the continued growth of our call volume.”

After brief public discussion, Council moved to authorize the hires. A roll‑call vote was recorded and carried unanimously (yes votes recorded). Council asked the fire department to return with metrics on overlapping incidents and overtime after the new hires have been on duty for an evaluation period.

","After presentations showing overlapping incidents and a projected rise above 6,000 emergency calls, Stow City council voted to authorize hiring two firefighters immediately to reduce overtime and improve ambulance availability; chiefs said more hires will be evaluated for 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Stow planning officials push large zoning rewrite; council raises questions on dispensary buffers, lot‑size cuts and mixed‑use overlay

Engineers tell Stow City council Echo Road drainage needs upstream and downstream fixes; upsizing Highwood sewer could cost about $500,000

Stow council approves two new firefighters after officials cite rising call volume and overlapping incidents