Stow City zoning board adopts updated bylaws after debate over executive-session language

The Stow City Board of Zoning Appeals elected officers for 2025 and approved updated bylaws at its Feb. 11 meeting, voting to keep broad executive‑session language recommended by the law department and to replace the phrase “tape recorded” with “electronically recorded.”

Board members discussed the proposed bylaws paragraph by paragraph after the document was circulated and reviewed in advance. Mike Sevasta, a long‑serving board member, said items on executive session “just do not apply to the board,” adding that boilerplate about employee matters, purchasing, and contractual negotiations could confuse new members. Steve Hooten, deputy law director for the city, urged keeping the executive‑session provisions. “From the law department standpoint, having these in here and never using them is better than not having them and needing them,” Hooten said, arguing the language reflects verbatim executive‑session provisions in the ORC and protects the board from procedural challenge.

The board also agreed to correct inconsistent references to the board's formal name and to amend the minutes/recording language. A member proposed changing the phrase “tape recorded” to “electronically recorded,” and the board accepted that edit for inclusion in the adopted text.

After amendments were offered, a motion to adopt the bylaws as amended carried on a roll call vote. Members present also completed officer elections for 2025, including the nomination and election of Randy Roberts as vice chairman. The minutes of the Dec. 9, 2024 meeting were approved earlier in the meeting.

The board's decision leaves the bylaws in place with the law department’s recommended executive‑session language retained and the recording wording updated to reflect current practice. The board chair indicated the group will continue to correct internal wording for clarity and consistency at future meetings.