Planning panel approves development review for new North Canton Fire & EMS center

The North Canton Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the development review for a proposed North Canton Fire & EMS center at 447 North Main Street on Jan. 7, following a presentation by the project designer and questions from nearby residents.

K. Curt Sparks of App Architecture told the commission the project is planned as a one‑story, masonry building with a mezzanine and six apparatus bays and that construction is expected to break ground in late spring or early summer. "It's going to be an all‑masonry built building, capstone and brick," Sparks said, noting the design aims to follow the Main Street central zoning code's aesthetic guidance.

Sparks described site constraints including a roughly 10‑foot elevation change from Main Street to the rear of the lot that will require retaining walls (up to about 8 feet in height) and a metal privacy fence along the rear and side to limit headlight glare and help with noise. He said the team plans to use an underground stormwater retention system beneath the driveway because there is no room for a detention pond, and that the system is designed so the project "will not be shedding water off onto your property." The applicant said there will be a masonry dumpster enclosure, an exposed generator pad with privacy vents, and four pole lights with cut‑off fixtures; a photometric study will be submitted to the city to ensure light does not spill past property lines.

Nearby resident John Martin, who identified himself as living directly behind the site, raised concerns about drainage, the height of the combined retaining wall and fence, and sound. "What are we doing as far as drainage?" Martin asked. Sparks responded that the project will use underground storage and that, based on the design, runoff should not impact adjacent backyards. Martin also confirmed that the wall would be about eight feet high with a six‑foot fence on top, creating about 14 feet of separation from his backyard.

Commissioners asked technical questions about materials and durability; Sparks said the retaining wall product being considered is a segmental block system commonly used for steep grade changes (the vendor product referenced was described as 'Ready Rock' blocks in the presentation). The applicant also said no external paging speakers will be installed on the rear of the station.

A city official (referred to as "Mayor" in the transcript) said the city has discussed the project previously and emphasized the need for the facility. After public comment and commissioner questions, a motion to approve the development review was moved and seconded and passed with recorded 'yes' votes from Mr. Delpes, Mr. Sarah and Mr. Leage. The transcript lists the project as application DPLN‑25‑25 in the agenda and earlier presentation but records the motion referencing DPLN‑25‑5 in the vote; the filing/permit reference should be clarified in the official record.

Next steps noted in the discussion include submission of the required photometric study and standard permitting reviews by city staff; the applicant indicated they will work with city staff (Martin was told lighting information will be reviewed by staff member Martin) on outstanding technical details. The commission adjourned after completing the vote.