Stow Planning Commission Tables Self-Storage Variance and Multifamily Density Cap Debate

STOW, OH — The Stow Planning Commission met in March 2026 for a session that produced no votes but plenty of debate, tabling both of its major agenda items for further review. Only three of five commissioners were present — Jeff Wagner, Daniel Bacik, and Jeffery Datkuliak — with two members absent. Self-Storage Use Variance at Fish Creek Road The commission heard the city's first use variance application under its newly adopted zoning code. The applicant is seeking approval to construct a self-storage facility on a 4.7-acre property at 3657 Fish Creek Road, currently zoned C-2 (commercial) and home to an existing business. The proposal calls for three self-storage buildings totaling approximately 16,000 square feet, with potential for a fourth building in the future. Planning staff explained that the applicant had previously attempted to split the rear parcel and rezone it to industrial — where self-storage is conditionally permitted — but that effort was withdrawn when it was determined the rezoning did not align with the comprehensive plan. Under the new use variance process, approval would permit self-storage on this specific property only, not across all C-2 zones. Staff emphasized that the current application covers only the use itself; site plan review, supplemental regulations, and any additional variances would come later. The commission voted unanimously to table the item, opting to schedule a site visit to the property before proceeding. "I think it'd be a good idea to go look at the property and see the surrounding area," one commissioner noted. Density Cap Removal Draws Passionate Public Comment The more contentious agenda item was a proposed amendment to remove the six-dwelling-units-per-acre density cap for multifamily housing. Planning Director Zack Cohen presented data showing that 25 of 28 existing apartment complexes in Stow already exceed the six-unit limit, with an average density of 9.4 units per acre across all surveyed properties. Cohen argued the cap is inconsistent with existing development patterns and would effectively prohibit mixed-use projects in the city's newly created Mixed-Use Overlay (MUO) district — an area designed to foster the walkable, dense commercial-residential environment that residents have consistently requested. At six units per acre, the average lot in the MUO would allow only about four units, far below the 20 to 40 units per acre typically needed to make mixed-use development economically viable. The proposal reignited tensions from the December 4, 2025, City Council meeting, where council voted 6–1 to add the density cap to the new zoning code in a last-minute amendment. Several residents spoke against removing the cap. One resident cited Stow's existing rental rate of 29% with a 9.8% vacancy rate, comparing it unfavorably to Hudson (11.6–12%) and Tallmadge (17–18%). "Does Stow really need unlimited multifamily dwellings per acre?" he asked. "I don't think the citizens would vote for that." Others supported the change. A local home builder and property developer argued that Stow needs to modernize. "If we set things in a static way and say that all we're going to do is keep it the way it was in the good old days, the good old days never come," he said. "This town is growing. It's becoming better." Another resident pointed out that the conditional use permit process would still apply to any multifamily development, providing a review mechanism even without a hard density cap. "Removing the per-unit density would still give us the conditional use permit, which would be consistent for different building types," a commissioner confirmed during discussion. A resident who identified as a landlord in Cuyahoga Falls spoke in favor, arguing that apartments are vital for young people and bring economic vitality. She also pushed back against characterizations of rental properties as sources of crime. The commission tabled the item unanimously to allow the two absent members to hear the discussion at a future meeting. Other Business A previously tabled conditional use application for a daycare facility was formally withdrawn by the applicant. No other action items were on the agenda. Cohen noted that the density cap and self-storage items were prioritized because they create immediate complications under the new zoning code. Other amendments removed during the December council vote — including changes to duplex, triplex, and quadplex regulations — remain conditional uses under the current code.