Stow Council Sets Public Hearing For New Entertainment District, Advances Water Rate Increase

Stow City Council worked through a full slate of business Sept. 24, starting with a Committee of the Whole session and continuing into the evening's regular meeting. Members present for both included Kyle Herman, Cyle Feldman, Matt Riehl, Kelly Coffey, Kim Young, John Baranek and Mario Fiocca. Council President Herman presided over both sessions. Amp Entertainment District Heads to Public Hearing Law Director Drew Reilly walked council through an application to create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, known locally as a DORA, around the AMP entertainment district. State law requires a public hearing before final approval, and Reilly recommended council set that hearing rather than repeat the full application twice. Council agreed, and the ordinance received its first reading at the regular meeting, with the hearing set for Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. Baranek raised concerns during committee discussion about pedestrians crossing Darrow Road between Giant Eagle and Spicy Sombrero, the two liquor license holders anchoring the district. Reilly said the city carries no legal liability for street crossings and pointed to the recent Route 91 renovation and improved crosswalks. A police representative told council officers plan to maintain a visible presence in the area as the district develops. Reilly also noted a future goal of adding a second hike and bike trail access point on the west side of Route 91, though that idea sits outside the scope of the current AMP project phase. Feldman asked whether the timeline was on track for the district ahead of the venue's completion; Reilly confirmed it is, calling the DORA application preemptive and separate from a related liquor license request for the site's concession stand. Water Rate Increase Clears First Reading Council gave first reading to an ordinance amending the city's water system fees and user charges, which would raise certain water rates for Stow customers. Reilly noted this version was the third draft to come out of committee review. No specific rate figures were discussed at the meeting itself, and the ordinance still faces two more readings before it could take effect. Council Adopts Updated 2027 Capital Improvement Plan Council amended and then adopted a resolution ratifying the city's 2027 Capital Improvement Plan under Article 22 of the city charter. A city finance representative told council the newest version came in roughly $518,000 lower than the prior draft, describing the change as the result of routine account shifts rather than a deliberate cut. Much of the discussion centered on sidewalks. Feldman pressed City Engineer James McCleary on the timeline for Graham Road improvements. McCleary said the resurfacing project bids out next Tuesday, with construction expected in spring or early summer of 2027. A related sidewalk and shared use path project connecting the Lawrence Saldis driveway to the Liberty Road intersection is still in preliminary engineering, with federal funding not expected until 2030. A finance representative added that the city has been working with an engineering consultant to identify safe interim walking routes in areas where residents raised concerns, while holding off on setting aside large sidewalk funding until specific projects are ready to move. "It's not that we wouldn't fund them as they're ready to go," the finance representative said, describing the capital plan as a living document that gets revisited as projects firm up. Council also reviewed the plan's outlook through 2031, which includes a rotating fire engine replacement schedule, a new ladder truck, an ambulance replacement and continued road, police vehicle and equipment funding. Officials said little has changed in the plan's later years since last year's review. Maple Park Road Permit Request Held Over A resolution granting a conditional use permit to Matthew Neff, applicant on behalf of 4386 Maple Park, LLC, for property at 4386 Maple Park Road received its first reading. Baranek declined to move to suspend the rules because the applicant was not present to answer questions, noting that if the matter carried real urgency for the applicant, he likely would have attended. The item will require additional readings before council acts on it. Additional Legislation And Committee Business Council withdrew Ordinance 2026-144 by unanimous roll call vote. Reilly explained that because council itself was the applicant on the legislation, members had the authority to pull it from the agenda without a final vote, following up on a question raised at the previous meeting. Feldman thanked colleagues for their patience as the item worked through the planning process. Members also approved a resolution authorizing the city to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission funding for capital improvement and transportation programs, adopted an ordinance updating the city's codified ordinances, and approved a contract for concrete risers, lids and related supplies for the street depart