Stow City Council approved multiple major development projects during its September 25 meeting, including tax incentive agreements for a new retail complex featuring Sheetz and Chick-fil-A, and site plan approval for the transformation of the former Kent Family Entertainment Center.
Kent Road Development Gets Three Tax Abatements
Council approved three separate Community Reinvestment Area tax incentive agreements for the former Stow Glenn retirement home property, which will be redeveloped into a retail complex along Kent Road. The development includes a 6,139-square-foot Sheetz gas station, a 5,023-square-foot Chick-fil-A restaurant, and two additional retail buildings totaling 28,100 square feet.
All three parcels received 75% tax abatements for 12 years. Developer Lance Osborne explained the project requires extraordinary development costs, including demolishing the existing nursing home, delivering sanitary sewer infrastructure to the back parcel, and importing approximately 20,000 cubic yards of fill dirt to make the site suitable for development.
The property currently has nearly $700,000 in tax arrearages that will be paid off when the transaction closes. Despite the abatements, the schools and city will still collect revenue. For the Sheetz property, schools will receive approximately $77,000 over the agreement period, while Sheetz commits to creating 36 jobs and $1 million in new payroll.
Councilwoman Kelly Coffey voted against all three tax abatement agreements, stating she was “not comfortable with the amount of the abatement” and doesn’t believe it’s “the best thing for the city or the schools,” though she expressed excitement about the development.
Councilman Jeremy McIntire noted the schools will still receive revenue and that the city recently approved school resource officer positions that will be funded partially by revenue from these developments.
Osborne urged council to act quickly, noting that Summit County courts are frustrated with delays and may initiate a sheriff’s sale to collect the outstanding taxes if the transaction doesn’t proceed soon. He indicated construction could begin within two weeks of approval.
Former Bowling Alley to Become Vans Pizza Entertainment Complex
Council approved site plan and variance requests for the transformation of the former Stow Kent Family Entertainment Center bowling alley into a modern entertainment venue. The project, developed by DP 146 LLC, will feature Vans Pizza restaurant and bar, a large arcade area, bowling lanes, and private party spaces.
The 20,000-square-foot building will receive extensive exterior renovations including new facade materials, lighting, and landscaping. The site will add 15 new trees and 93 shrubs, expand parking, and renovate the existing miniature golf course while retaining the sand volleyball court.
Planning Director Zach Cowen noted the developer will commit to approximately 89 jobs and $1.75 million in total payroll across the business. City Administrator thanked Cowen for his leadership on the project, stating “without Zach’s total leadership on this project, it wouldn’t have been there.”
Architect David Pelligra indicated the project will strip the building down to its framework, removing the roof and siding before rebuilding. Construction is expected to begin after the first of the year, with an anticipated opening around Halloween 2026.
Councilman Cyle Feldman praised the project, saying “what a great property” and thanking the developer for “investing in Stow.”
Sheetz Sign Variance Approved After Planning Commission Denial
Council approved sign variances for the Sheetz gas station despite a recommendation for denial from the planning commission. The approved sign is 20 feet, 4 inches tall and approximately 110 square feet, exceeding code requirements for both height and size.
Planning commission had concerns about competitive advantage and wanted tenant panels placed at the top of the sign rather than pricing information. However, Sheetz representative explained that due to grade changes and a sewer easement running through the property, the monument sign on the east side of the property would be set back 20 feet and pricing wouldn’t be visible at that location.
Councilman Kyle Herman supported the original sign design, stating he didn’t “want to delay this project any further” and noting that having prices visible by the Sheetz logo “is how most gas stations are” and helps consumers make decisions.
Coffey voted against the sign variance, agreeing with planning commission that pricing should be at the bottom.
Infrastructure Projects Authorized
Council authorized bidding for three major road projects:
Graham Road Resurfacing: From approximately 700 feet east of Darrow Road to Newcomer Road. The $1 million project will use 80% federal funds and 20% local funds through the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study.
Councilman Feldman questioned whether sidewalk improvements recommended in a 2023 traffic study could be added to the project. City Engineer indicated sidewalks aren’t eligible for the current resurfacing grant but a separate application for comprehensive improvements including sidewalks and lane reduction will be submitted by November 7.
Graham Road Traffic Signal Project: Signal improvements from Bailey Road to Newcomer Road, with estimated costs of $2.5 million. Every signal will be upgraded with new adaptive timing controllers that communicate through the city’s Centrex system, allowing remote adjustments. All pedestrian signals will receive countdown timers and handicap ramps will be updated to current standards.
Fishcreek Road Resurfacing: From the recently paved section at Stow Road to Graham Road, with estimated costs of $1.3 million.
Service Director reported the 2025 road program is progressing, with crack sealing complete, striping 95% finished, and approximately 375 blocks of sidewalk replaced in the Lakeview-Adeline area.
Holy Family Parish Gets School Resource Officer
Council authorized a contract with Holy Family Parish for one permanent part-time school resource officer, matching the agreement recently approved for Stow-Munroe Falls schools. Police Chief said advertising for the positions will likely begin September 30, with several applicants already expressing interest.
The agreement represents 0.25% of the police operating budget. Chief noted that Holy Family has hired officers for security at large events in the past but never had a dedicated school resource officer. Officer Bailey currently provides DARE programming at the school.
Coffey thanked the chief for prioritizing the position and including it in the budget.
Police Department Fully Staffed
Chief provided the 2024 annual report, noting the department operated understaffed for the entire year, at one point down six officers. Despite staffing challenges, juvenile arrests and referrals increased due to a new school resource officer at the high school focusing on vaping enforcement.
Total traffic crashes decreased, though injury crashes increased 30%. Part one crimes saw two incidents, up 200% from the previous year, while burglaries decreased 21%. Mental health calls increased 51%, while pursuits, resistant arrests and use of force all decreased significantly.
The chief reported that for the first time in 18 months, the department is fully staffed. All but one of the eight officers hired between last year and early this year have completed field training, with the final officer going solo the first week of October.
The department switched to 12-hour shifts this year, resulting in overtime savings. Chief indicated he likely won’t need to request additional overtime funding from council this year, a departure from past years.
Councilman Feldman thanked officers for their response during a power outage at September 20 homecoming, noting their training helped ensure an orderly evacuation.
Charter Review Commission Recognized
Mayor John Perbanic presented proclamations to members of the 2025 Charter Review Commission. The seven-member volunteer commission held 13 public meetings including two town halls, dedicating 19 hours to public meetings plus additional research time.
The commission presented nine charter amendments to council, with two approved for the November 5 general election ballot. The commission also recommended creation of two special commissions to study the number of wards and use of ranked choice voting, neither of which were created by council.
Vice chair Rick Charles attended the meeting to receive recognition. Law Director Ryan Riley thanked Charles for his guidance to other commission members, calling the process “a fun 19 hours.”
Summit County ADM Board Seeks Levy Support
Amy Wade, executive director of the Summit County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board, appeared before council seeking endorsement for a levy renewal with a 0.5 mil increase on the November ballot. The board hasn’t requested additional funding in 18 years.
Wade said the board funds agencies including Child Guidance and Family Solutions, Greenleaf, Oriana House, Community Support Services and Portage Path Behavioral Health. Services span the lifespan from young children to older adults, including crisis intervention, youth mobile response, and programs in jails.
Children’s program coordinator Beth Gracie praised the mayor’s leadership on mental health initiatives, noting other cities have asked how Stow created mental health resource information on its website. The board recently launched its first Crisis Intervention Team training specifically for youth, teaching school resource officers and law enforcement to intervene with young people.
Mayor Perbanic thanked the board for its work in the community.
GIS Maps Now Available Online
Planning Director Cowen presented new public-facing Geographic Information System maps developed in partnership with Mapped Out GIS. The maps include an official zoning map with links to specific code sections, a tax incentive map showing Community Reinvestment Area boundaries, and a community overview map with precincts, wards, trails, parks and demographic information.
An economic development map includes drive-time analysis showing labor force profiles for 30, 60 and 90-minute radiuses. A development projects map will track construction phases for projects along State Routes 91 and 59.
Councilman Feldman praised the work, asking who handled the project. Cowen credited Mapped Out GIS as the contractor.
Cost Sharing Agreement with Hudson Approved
Council authorized a cooperative agreement with Hudson for the Seasons Road signal project. The $300,000 project will install a new signal, with costs split between the two cities. A $300,000 county grant will pay for the majority of work. Bids opened September 30.
City Engineer noted Hudson plans to eventually develop land on the north side of the road, making a four-way intersection necessary.
Discover more from Northeast Ohio News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
