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

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. 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 h