Stow Council Approves Group Home, Hears Call for Senior Expo

Stow City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a group home at 2950 Graham Road during its Oct. 9 meeting, allowing Himalayan Aurora Properties LLC to operate a 17-bed residential facility for people with disabilities.

The property, located across from Oregon Trails Park and next to Woodland School, sits on 1.58 acres zoned R3. The existing 6,500-square-foot building was most recently approved as an eight-unit apartment building in 2020 and previously operated as an assisted living facility.

According to the application, residents will stay at the facility overnight with 24-hour caretaker supervision. During the day, residents will leave for vocational training or job placement, with meals brought in from another location.

Planning Director Zack Cowan told council the facility meets all supplemental regulations, including a requirement that limits facilities to 12 beds per acre. With 1.58 acres, the property can accommodate up to 19 beds, though the applicant plans for 17.

Councilman Jeremy McIntire raised concerns about a property across Graham Road, questioning whether it constitutes a group home, which would violate the 500-foot separation requirement in city code. The property in question was approved as an assisted living facility in 2016 and is owned by Summit Housing, operating as four-unit independent living for people with developmental disabilities.

The applicant’s representative from Four Points Architectural Services explained that while the Summit Housing property serves people with developmental disabilities, it functions as independent living rather than a group home requiring constant supervision. Cowan confirmed his records showed the property approved as an assisted living facility, not a group home.

McIntire also asked whether residents in the nearby Villas neighborhood had been notified. Cowan said several residents attended the planning commission meeting and had their concerns addressed by the applicant.

Questions arose about maintenance of the private access road shared between the property and an apartment building to the rear. The representative said the apartment building owns and maintains the road under an easement agreement, though the property owner intends to work with the apartment building and Villa residents to address concerns about the road’s condition.

The facility will be fully fire-suppressed with a complete fire alarm system. Residents will receive training at another facility owned by the same company on Fish Creek Road.

Council moved the item to its evening agenda, where it passed unanimously as Resolution 2025-206.

Senior Resident Calls for Better Communication, Annual Expo

Resident Larry Brimlow addressed council during public comment to advocate for improved resources and communication with the city’s senior population.

Brimlow, who has lived in Stow for 20 years, noted that approximately 9,000 of the city’s 34,000-plus residents are age 60 or older — roughly one out of four people. He praised the city’s new community and senior center, calling it one of the greatest investments the city has made.

However, Brimlow said seniors struggle with communication about city events and activities. Many seniors don’t use websites as their primary source of information and miss out on events like Sunset Blast, he said.

He called for the city to bring back a senior expo, similar to the one previously held at Life Center Plus, to help seniors learn about available resources. Such an expo could be held annually or on alternating years with the school expo, he suggested.

Brimlow also urged the senior center to offer more topical informational programming on subjects like downsizing, elder care and estate planning. He noted the city previously had an elder care group that disbanded during COVID.

Councilman Cyle Feldman responded that the city is planning a volunteer job fair for seniors in February that will include possible part-time paying jobs and volunteer opportunities. He said the senior center is working to incorporate more informational programming into next year’s calendar.

Feldman noted that cities across the country are struggling with communication after the loss of local newspapers. He said the city hopes its new electronic sign will help improve communication with residents.

Other Council Actions

Council also approved:

• A sign variance for Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics at 3840 Fish Creek Road, though Councilman John Baranek voted against it, expressing frustration that no representative from the company attended either the planning committee or council meeting to explain the variance request
• Authorization for the mayor to contract with Sutphen Corporation for purchase of a new fire engine without public bidding. Councilman Mario Fiocca initially voted against suspending rules for the emergency measure after hearing rumors about the company’s financial status, but Fire Chief confirmed Sutphen faces no financial distress. A portion of the company’s plant is on strike, affecting ladder truck production, but the strike does not impact the fire engine facility
• Increased authorization for Wave Equipment Company for fire department repair parts and services
• Supplemental overtime funds for the fire department
• Insurance contracts with Richard Insurance Services and Love Insurance Agency
• Second reading of an ordinance to rezone properties at 3605 and 3625 Marsh Road from R2 Residential to C4 General Business

The planning and zoning code comprehensive update received its first reading. The project has been in progress for several months with community engagement and is expected to be completed soon.

Council approved all bill payments and adjourned the meeting.