Zoning code amendments

Urged council to keep the current zoning code, arguing higher density apartments would lower property values, that a downtown is not viable against Kent/Hudson/Cuyahoga Falls, and that notified residents never got letters.

Asked the committee to separate the 'downtown' concept from density changes, saying Stow is a bedroom community and residents' current wishes should drive decisions.

Wants limits on where multifamily housing can go, opposes raising density from six to ten units per acre, thanked Coffey for the SROs, and opposed a mayoral pay raise.

Defended the new code, noting mixed use wasn't allowed under the old 1970s code, that density is already averaging ten, and that new design requirements mean quality buildings, not low-income housing.

Urged council to pass the zoning amendments reinstating density caps and minor plan development overlay standards, arguing existing conditional use criteria already let council deny problematic projects and that strong tailored standards protect the city legally. He noted the rewrite cost over $100,000 and took two years.