Stow City Council: Zoning Code Adoption, Cannabis Debate, Twinsburg Prosecutor Contract

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STOW, Ohio – Stow City Council’s December 4 meeting stretched across zoning law, cannabis policy, and legal services, as members approved a new zoning code, debated how to regulate cannabis businesses, and declined to renew a long-standing prosecution contract with Twinsburg.

New Zoning Code Adopted After Weeks of Debate

Stow City Council gave final approval to a sweeping new zoning code, capping weeks of committee-level review, resident feedback, and last-minute amendments.

The rewrite is intended to modernize Stow’s development rules, streamline processes, and address long-standing gray areas in the code. Council members noted that the update has been years in the making and should help both residents and developers better understand what is permitted where.

Council’s vote followed weeks of Planning Committee debate over how the new code would handle storage facilities, transitional areas along Marsh Road, and other neighborhood concerns. Earlier this week, the Planning Committee took a deeper dive into those issues, including the Seasons Road Storage expansion and Marsh Road rezoning. You can read that coverage here: Planning Committee: Seasons Road Storage Expansion, Marsh Road Rezoning, Zoning Code Changes.

Council members said they expect to revisit portions of the code as needed once it is in use, but they emphasized that the new framework gives the city a clearer roadmap for future growth.

Cannabis Debate: Where and How to Allow Businesses

Council also continued its ongoing cannabis discussion, weighing where and how marijuana businesses should be allowed to operate in Stow.

Members and staff reviewed potential zoning districts for cannabis uses, discussed separation requirements from schools and neighborhoods, and considered whether to treat cannabis operations similarly to other regulated businesses. No final vote was taken, but the conversation made clear that any eventual policy will need to balance economic opportunity with residents’ concerns about location and visibility.

The issue is expected to return to Council in a more formal legislative form once draft language is ready.

Mailbox Rules and Right-of-Way Concerns

Council briefly revisited mailbox regulations and other items in the right-of-way, responding to resident questions about enforcement and standards.

City staff explained that:

• The city needs clear rules so plowing and maintenance crews can safely navigate streets.
• Residents will be given time and guidance to come into compliance if their mailbox or structure does not meet code.
• The goal is safety and consistency, not punishment.

Some council members indicated they are open to minor adjustments or clarifications to avoid unintended hardship, especially for long-standing installations.

Public Safety Updates: Police, Fire, and Equipment

Council heard several updates on public safety:

• Police Department: Members acknowledged the recent appointment of a new police chief and expressed support for the department’s ongoing community-focused initiatives.
• Fire Department: Recent fire calls, training efforts, and community education activities were highlighted, underscoring the department’s workload and preparedness.
• Taser Upgrade: Council supported replacing aging tasers with modern units, citing both officer safety and liability concerns.

Officials emphasized that both police and fire operations remain a priority in the city’s planning and budgeting.

Roads, Sidewalks, and Ongoing Infrastructure Work

Council received updates on roads and sidewalks, including:

• Progress on this year’s paving and maintenance program.
• Planning for upcoming sidewalk connections and repairs.
• Coordination with utilities to reduce repeated disruption in the same corridors.

Members stressed that infrastructure needs will continue to drive a large share of the city’s capital spending and that communication with residents about construction timelines remains important.

2026 Contracts: Health, Utilities, and Insurance

In Finance Committee and then as Council, members worked through a series of 2026 contracts that keep core city operations running:

• Health services: Renewals or adjustments for health-related contracts that support both employees and public health compliance.
• Utilities and services: Agreements covering water, sewer, and related services where coordination with outside entities is required.
• Insurance: Coverage for city property, liability, and specialized risks to protect taxpayers against large unexpected costs.

While most of these items were routine renewals or modest updates, council members used the opportunity to ask questions about cost trends and coverage levels heading into 2026.

Taco Bell TIF and Economic Development

Council also touched on the Taco Bell TIF, one of the city’s tools to support economic development while capturing long-term tax benefits.

Members discussed:

• How the TIF structure affects revenue for the city and schools.
• The importance of monitoring performance to ensure the project delivers promised benefits.
• Whether similar mechanisms should be considered for future redevelopment sites.

The conversation highlighted the city’s ongoing effort to balance business attraction with responsible fiscal planning.

Twinsburg Prosecution Contract Ends, New Assistant Prosecutor Added

One of the more notable actions of the Committee of the Whole and full Council was a decision not to renew Stow’s long-standing prosecution contract with the City of Twinsburg.

Council members cited several concerns with the status quo and agreed that it was time for Stow to bring more of that work back under its own umbrella.

To support that shift, Council approved the hiring of a new assistant prosecutor, who will help handle the increased caseload internally. City leaders said the move should:

• Improve consistency in prosecution decisions.
• Give Stow more direct control over how cases are handled in its jurisdiction.
• Potentially improve responsiveness to local priorities and resident concerns.

The change marks a significant structural shift in how Stow manages its legal workload and could shape court operations in the coming year.

What’s Next For Stow City Council

With the new zoning code adopted, cannabis policy still under construction, and the Twinsburg prosecution contract winding down, Stow City Council is poised for a busy 2026.

Residents interested in how these decisions will play out — especially in land use and neighborhood character — can track future agendas and attend meetings as more detailed legislation comes forward.