Stow · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Stow public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Native landscaping ordinance revisions
The city may cut the required setback for native plantings from 15 feet to 5 feet, relax the 50% lawn-conversion limit, and eventually waive the $50 permit fee. That means residents could convert more of their yards to native plants with fewer hoops — though enforcement stays complaint-driven.
Removal of Minor Planned Development provision from zoning code
Council Member Kelly Coffey wants to strip the minor planned development tool from the code, arguing developers shouldn't be able to sidestep standard rules. Staff defended it as a way to cluster homes and preserve green space. No vote was taken.
Multi-family density cap on main roads
The city's six-units-per-acre cap forces variances for almost every apartment project, including this one at 7.4 units per acre. Staff plans to come back with an amendment to raise or remove the cap so the code matches what's actually built.
Minor Planned Development Overlay standards (Ordinance 2026-096)
This restores rules requiring developers to give the city something — LEED buildings, affordable or accessible units — in exchange for zoning flexibility on 3-10 acre projects. Without them, the city has a weaker legal footing to say no to developer requests.
Multi-family density cap removal (Ordinance 2026-095)
Two ordinances meant to fix inconsistencies in Stow's multifamily zoning rules were tabled unanimously after debate over whether higher-density housing could reach neighborhood corridors like Fishcreek Road. Residents near Bayside Estates raised fears of three-story apartment buildings on assembled lots.
New zoning code cleanup amendments
A resident pushed council to restore the density cap structure and minor plan development overlay standards removed from the zoning rewrite, arguing the $100,000-plus code was tailored to Stow and its conditional use criteria already protect neighborhoods. The public hearing on related ordinances was pushed off May 28 to allow more community input.
Marsh Road rezoning to limited retail
Two properties at 3605 and 3625 Marsh Road could shift from residential to limited retail zoning. A public hearing is set for February 12, so neighbors will get a chance to weigh in.
Marsh Road rezoning for former assisted-living buildings
A proposal to rezone two Marsh Road parcels from residential to limited retail is moving forward — second reading done, public hearing February 12 at 5 p.m. Residents will get their say then.