Council approved a tax incentive agreement for TTR Shipping to expand their operations on Scarlet Lane off Seasons Road. TTR Shipping has just celebrated their 20-year anniversary and are looking to nearly double the space they occupy starting this month. This expansion will also lead to an increase in TTR’s headcount by 10 to 15% over the next 3 years, which is a total expansion of 40 jobs. The tax incentive agreement is for 10 years and requires that TTR maintain the payroll and headcount commitment by year 3 of the agreement and for it to meet that same level through the entire 10-year agreement to receive the tax incentive. I am glad to see that we can maintain a local business here in Stow and their commitment to staying within our City.
Council also approved the design of two stormwater projects to be completed in Ward 2. The first project is at the corner of Friar Road and Foresthill Road. This area sees a good portion of run off from down Foresthill and from properties that are along Progress Park that have a higher elevation to those along Foresthill. Currently heavy rains cause roadway flooding in this area and the goal of this design project is to address that issue. The second project is along Norton Road to address stormwater run off from Silver Springs Park onto residential properties along Norton Road. This area is also a little tricky because the ultimate designation of this stormwater is in the City of Hudson. Once these projects are designed then Council will have the opportunity to review them and fund them from our stormwater fund.
We approved the engagement of outside legal counsel to give a legal opinion related to proposed development along North River Road and a petition to vacate roads north of the proposed development. There are several important factors that need reviewed with this project and I believe it is prudent that Council has all the information about the implications of this decision prior to this formally being before Council.
Council also received a petition to vacate roads in Ward 1 that are adjacent to the proposed development on North River Road. A petition to vacate roads has several things it must comply with under the Ohio Revised Code, including ai public hearing. Council set a public hearing on this petition to vacate the roads for November 9, 2023, at 5:30 PM.
There was also a large group of residents who use the Jazzercise exercise program at the Leona Farris Lodge each week. Recently the administration has reached out to this program and stated they will no longer be allowed to use the facility for this program (which already includes a portion of the dues paid by members to be submitted to the City). The reason provided by the administration was the Parks Master Plan and looking to do other types of programming. I do not believe our Parks Master Plan specifically called out programs like this and I do not believe new programming additions should have to disrupt a current successful program that uses the facility for a minimal amount of time. Hopefully after hearing the passion these ladies have for their program the administration will be able to come up with a plan that allows them to continue and still gives plenty of flexibility for use of the Leona Farris Lodge.
Council also discussed at length two different proposals to amend our noise ordinance in the City, both of which have been requested by residents who have issues with amplified music issues at City Center from the City sponsored concerts on the green and from live music that occurs at Roses Run weekly through the summer. In addition, there have been several complaints recently from residents about residents who live near roosters that create disruptive noise through the day and night. The first version proposed by Mr. Licate is a complete re-write of the ordinance and discusses many different type of noise scenarios, reviews the zoning of the district, and adds in decibel level readings that would be required of the police to issue citations. The second version proposed by Mr. Lowdermilk was simply an addition to our current code adding language related to the hours that amplified music or sound would be allowed to take place on the City Center property. This issue is currently still in committee for additional discussions, and I would encourage any resident who would like to have feedback on this issue to reach out to a council member or attend our next council meeting. I believe we need to make sure we have an ordinance that is easy for both the residents to understand and that the police can easily determine enforcement when necessary. I think both versions have some room for updates to achieve this goal and hopefully we will be able to find a solution quickly.
Council will meet next on September 28th with committees starting at 5:30 PM and our Council meeting to follow.