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Committee backs consolidating industrial districts, debates coverage and height standards
Summary
Members supported combining two industrial districts into one and discussed building coverage, impervious‑surface limits and raising industrial height limits to 60 feet.
Committee members signaled support for consolidating Stow’s two industrial districts and spent substantial time debating building coverage, impervious‑surface limits and suitable height limits for modern industrial buildings.
A developer‑experienced committee member argued the distinction between "heavy" and "limited" industrial is unclear in practice and favored a single consolidated industrial district. "I have already made clear that I think they should be consolidated," the developer said, adding that many existing buildings require variances that a consolidated district could eliminate.
Stormwater, landscaping and impervious coverage drew extended debate. Some members urged retaining building‑footprint or floor‑area‑ratio approaches rather than broad impervious‑surface caps because industrial sites often require large truck courts. Others and planning staff emphasized green infrastructure and newer permeable technologies. "Part of it is like the adaptation to new technologies as we, like, have more ability to do permeable and green infrastructure," a committee member said, adding the proposed approach signals an intent to incentivize green infrastructure in future development.
Height limits for industrial buildings also surfaced. Committee members suggested increasing the maximum building height from 40 feet to 60 feet to avoid routine variances for larger modern facilities; staff agreed to propose raising the industrial maximum to 60 feet.
The committee discussed using performance standards (noise, odor, glare, vibration) and supplemental regulations for any particularly intensive uses rather than a categorical ban. "You don't care what they're making as long as you're not disturbing the peace," one member said, supporting performance‑based rules over use‑based prohibitions.
Next steps: staff will prepare consolidated industrial‑district language, propose options for building/coverage limits that account for truck courts and green infrastructure, and return with maps and draft standards.
