The Finance Committee approved the application of two grant applications for AMATS, both are related to signal improvements—the first would be for grant funds to improve the signals along Steels Corners Road and the second would be for the signals along Graham Road. This also led to additional conversations about getting drawings completed for the improvements recommended along Graham Road that were recommended from a recent study completed by a third-party Consultant. Stow has received many funds from AMATS over the last several years and it is likely that we are lower on the priority list for consideration for upcoming grants. Council approved both grant applications and I hope we continue to be successful in receiving AMATS funding.
The Public Improvements Committee discussed the opening of SKiP and the need to have closures related to maintenance on a more frequent basis than our other parks. The Service Director let us know that there are safety playground regulations that are part of the reason for such closure, such as relating to moving around the mulch to have safe fall distances for the specific pieces of equipment. Also, this has a unique area with turf used for play and with the initial heavy use and to better extend the longevity of this area, the sand base underneath needs to be properly re-distributed. The City staff have also been using this time to power wash the equipment to keep it clean with all the use it is getting. Overall, the opening has been a success and the City maintenance crews and Police continue to keep an active eye on the playground to ensure everyone can have a good experience at the park.
Council also approved after 3 readings and a public hearing the re-zoning of the ReWorks on Graham road from partial R-3 Residential and C-5 Highway Services, fully to C-5 Highway Services. This facility takes household hazardous waste recycling for Summit County and they are looking to align the zoning of this lot to investigate expansion to also have their main offices at this location. To learn more about ReWorks, visiting their website at: https://www.summitreworks.com/
Items remaining in Planning Committee included the approval of the new field house site design for the school district, approval of signs for TGI Fridays, and approval of a drive through pharmacy along Kent Road at the end of the plaza where Altieri’s Pizza is located. The items were discussed favorably with some questions related to the parking lot design for both the field house and drive through pharmacy area. These items will be heard before Planning Committee at our next meeting with recommendations to be made to Council at that time.
Council will have one final meeting on Thursday August 3, 2023, prior to our summer recess until September 14, 2023.