Stow Council Rejects Density Increase, Advances Charter Changes and New School Officers

Stow City Council fell one vote short of passing a proposal that would have raised the density cap for multi family housing along the city’s main roads and in a proposed mixed use downtown district, capping months of public debate at the council’s July 8 meeting.

The council also confirmed a new fire chief and planning director, approved a security contract and two new school resource officers with Stow Munroe Falls City Schools, sent three charter amendments to the November ballot, and granted a conditional zoning certificate that clears the way for a new restaurant in the former Parasson’s building on Darrow Road.

Density Proposal Fails on 4 to 3 Vote

Ordinance 2026-095 would have increased the density cap for multi family housing from six to ten units per acre along the city’s main corridors, and allowed unlimited density with a minimum unit size of 500 square feet in a proposed mixed use area along Route 91 between Graham and Kent roads.

Because the proposal differed from the Planning Commission’s recommendation, it needed five of seven votes to pass. It received four, with council members Kim Young, John Baranek, Kyle Herman and Cyle Feldman voting yes and Kelly Coffey, Mario Fiocca and Matt Riehl voting no. The failed vote means the code defaults to the density cap council set in a December amendment, which passed 6 to 1.

Council Member Coffey said she supported increased density in a defined downtown area but not citywide, and raised concerns about the proposal’s minimum unit size.

“The current square footage, minimum square footage is 500 square feet,” Coffey said. “I think if we want to do unlimited, we need to increase the square footage for that downtown area.”

Council Member Feldman said the amendment reflected two years of public input and a diagnostic report that identified the density cap as a barrier to the city’s comprehensive plan goals. He said the city’s population has declined for nearly two decades, from a peak of about 35,000 residents around 2010 to current estimates below 34,000.

Several residents spoke during public comment both for and against the proposal. Supporters argued increased density would not bring the crime or school burdens opponents feared and pointed to studies backing that position. Opponents raised concerns about property values, traffic and the character of existing neighborhoods, with some residents citing the Miller’s Landing and Silver Meadows developments as cautionary examples.

Minor Planned Development Standards Ordinance Passes

Council separately approved Ordinance 2026-096, which restores standards council can use to negotiate with developers seeking minor planned development overlay approval. City officials said the standards were needed to reduce the city’s legal exposure, since without them council would have no defined basis for approving or denying an application.

Coffey voted no and said she would rather see the entire minor planned development section removed, arguing the city no longer has enough developable land to justify it. She said she plans to bring a proposal to send that question to the Planning Commission for further study. The ordinance passed 6 to 1.

New Restaurant Coming to Former Parasson’s Site

Council granted a conditional zoning certificate to the Nader family, applicant, on behalf of property owner Lee Grosscup for the site at 3983 Darrow Rd., the former home of Parasson’s Italian Restaurant. The certificate was required because the building has sat vacant for more than six months.

According to planning records, the Nader family plans to operate the restaurant as a family business, with a husband and wife team serving as assistant managers and their children helping with marketing, promotions, accounting and payroll. The family plans to hire a general manager with restaurant experience and a head chef, and intends to keep the building’s current look while making needed repairs. No name or opening date has been announced.

The resolution passed unanimously. Council Member Feldman said he was looking forward to a new restaurant at the site.

Two New School Resource Officers, New Fire Chief and Planning Director Confirmed

Council approved a security service contract with Stow Munroe Falls City Schools and confirmed Chief of Police appointments of Kayla Delay and Alexandria Libertucci as school resource officers, both passing unanimously. Feldman thanked the police chief for finding two qualified candidates for the positions.

Council also confirmed Michael Lang Jr. as the city’s next fire chief, effective after current Chief Stone retires, and Pete Worsler as the city’s new director of planning and development. Both were approved unanimously. Worsler told council he has ten years of experience as a city and regional planner and holds a master’s degree from Clemson University.

Three Charter Amendments Head to November Ballot

Council placed three charter amendments on the November 3 ballot. One would clarify who becomes acting mayor in an emergency when no clear line of succession exists. A second would create a formal process for an acting finance director when the finance director is unable to serve. A third would create the same process for an acting law director.

Council also amended and passed Ordinance 2026-100, which sends a question to the November ballot asking voters to raise compensation for the mayor, law director and finance director. Coffey voted no, arguing the mechanism for the raise still requires a separate charter amendment. Feldman abstained. The ordinance passed 6 to 0 with one abstention.

Other Business

Council gave first reading to an ordinance amending the public information officer position from part time to full time, which passed. Council also gave first reading to a broader zoning code amendment covering automotive and industrial use standards, vehicle parking and definitions. A public hearing on that ordinance is scheduled for 5 p.m. September 10.

In his report, Mayor John Pribonic said the city’s July 4 parade drew more than 18 floats, up from an average of about 7, and thanked Police Chief Purusha and surrounding cities and Summit County for their response to an incident in the city earlier in the week. He also highlighted the city’s ongoing school clothing drive and a new rotation of local artist designed art boxes around the city.

Watch the Meeting

Watch a summary of the July 8 Stow City Council meeting: Stow Debates Mixed Use Housing and Zoning Risks.