Stow Cannabis Dispensary Proposal Heads to Planning Commission

RELATED: Stow Police Reports: Thefts, OVIs, Fraud Cases Note: At the time of writing, the Stow Planning Commission has not yet held this meeting . All items are proposals that could be modified, tabled, or denied. Details may change as the process moves forward. When And Where the Meeting Will Be Held The Stow Planning Commission is scheduled to meet on: Date: November 25, 2025 Time: 6:00 p.m. Livestream: City of Stow YouTube Streams Council Chambers 3760 Darrow Road First Floor of City Hall Stow, OH 44224 At this meeting, the commission is expected to consider its 2026 schedule, a Stow cannabis dispensary proposal at Steels Pointe, and a bank project on Kent Road. Residents can attend to listen, follow the discussion, and, when allowed, offer public comment. What’s On The Planning Commission’s Upcoming Agenda? The next Stow Planning Commission meeting is expected to be especially important for anyone following development, zoning, or cannabis policy in the city. In addition to setting its 2026 meeting schedule , the commission is scheduled to consider a detailed proposal for a Stow cannabis dispensary at Steels Pointe, as well as a separate request for site changes at a financial institution on Kent Road. According to the agenda notice sent out, the commission is expected to take up three main items: Consideration of 2026 Planning Commission dates P.C. 2025-031 – 4149 Steels Pointe Drive – Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary (site plan, conditional use, variances) P.C. 2025-033 – 4420 Kent Road – Financial Institution with Drive-Thru (site plan, conditional use, variances) Because this meeting has not yet occurred, any of these items could be approved, modified, delayed, or rejected , and the final outcome may differ from what is currently proposed. Spotlight: Proposed Adult-Use Stow Cannabis Dispensary At Steels Pointe One of the highest-profile proposals on the agenda is P.C. 2025-031 , which seeks approvals for an adult-use cannabis dispensary at 4149 Steels Pointe Drive . Applicant: Hannah Mink Owner: Courthouse Square Investment Group, LLC Location: 4149 Steels Pointe Dr. (Parcel #56-18089) Acreage: 1.02 acres Zoning: C-5 – Highway Service At this stage, nothing has been approved. The applicant is asking the Planning Commission to consider multiple requests: Site Plan Approval (Request Only) The applicant is requesting approval of a site plan for an Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary under Section 1137.03(d) of Stow’s code. If approved, this site plan would govern: Building placement Parking and drive aisles Access points and circulation Landscaping and buffering How the proposed dispensary fits within the C‑5 Highway Service district and surrounding uses The commission can approve, deny, or request changes to the site plan. Conditional Use Approval (Request Only) Cannabis dispensaries are not automatically permitted uses. In this case, the applicant is requesting a conditional use approval for an Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary under Section 1145.02 . By law, the commission has discretion to: Evaluate potential impacts on neighbors , nearby schools, and residential areas Consider traffic, noise, and safety concerns Attach conditions to any approval, such as hours of operation, lighting standards, or additional screening The conditional use request can be approved with conditions, denied, or modified . Requested Variance: Setback From a School A major point in this Stow cannabis dispensary proposal is the requested variance from the required separation from a school property line. Current code requirement (Section 1177.03(b)) : 1,000-foot setback from the property line of a school What the applicant is requesting : Approval of a setback of 955 feet , which is 45 feet less than the requirement The Planning Commission will need to decide whether this reduced distance still meets the intent of the separation rule . Until they vote, this remains only a request , not a granted exception. Requested Variance: Setback From a Residential District An even more significant variance request concerns the distance between the proposed dispensary site and a residential zoning district . Current code requirement (Section 1177.03(f)) : 1,000-foot setback from the property line of a residential district What the applicant is requesting : Approval of a setback of 0 feet —meaning the site would directly abut a residential zoning boundary This is likely to be one of the most heavily debated aspects at the meeting. Questions commissioners and residents may raise include: How will the project buffer nearby homes from lighting, noise, and customer traffic? Is a 0-foot setback from residential zoning consistent with how Stow intends to treat cannabis uses? Could alternative layouts or site design changes reduce the impact on residential neighbors? Again, this is a request , not a done deal; the commission may approve, deny, or seek a compromise. Supporting Documents For The Dispensary Case For this case, commissioners will have several su