Stow’s long-running talk about building a real, walkable downtown is getting very real, very fast. Two proposed zoning changes in the city center are on the table that would clear the way for denser, mixed-use buildings. Council President Kyle Herman has said the goal is to make room for ground-floor storefronts with apartments above and to improve pedestrian connections. A public hearing on the measures is set for May 28.
As reported by the Akron Beacon Journal, the City Council gave the two ordinances their first reading on April 23. Herman said on social media that the changes are meant to allow mixed-use buildings and help deliver a more walkable "Downtown Stow." Supporters argue the overhaul is designed to bring the zoning code closer to the city’s existing comprehensive plan.
What the Ordinances Would Change
Per the City of Stow's public notice, Ordinance 2026-095 would amend Chapter 1104, which covers use standards, while Ordinance 2026-096 would revise the minor planned-development overlay standards in Chapter 1103. The notice sets a public hearing for May 28 in the Council Chambers at Stow City Hall, 3760 Darrow Road, where residents will be able to weigh in on both proposals.
Access, Density and Developer Rules
The Akron Beacon Journal reports that the ordinances would remove the current six-unit-per-acre density cap in the city center, including stretches along Kent, Darrow, and Graham roads, and would permit more housing units per acre. The draft language would also require that a portion of the units be offered at federally defined affordable rates, and that most developments featuring detached one-unit structures or townhomes include roughly 20% of units that are accessible to people with limited mobility. According to the Beacon Journal, the change would undo a Dec. 4, 2025, amendment from Councilwoman Kelly Coffey that reinstated the six-unit cap after a 6-1 vote.
Why It Matters: The AMP and Downtown Activation
City leaders are framing the zoning push as a way to bring more people and everyday activity to new public amenities, including the Stow Amphitheater, where the city held a ceremonial groundbreaking in April. The City of Stow's announcements describe an AMP pop-up series at 1680 Norton Road and highlight planned plaza upgrades and restaurant recruitment, all pitched as pieces of a broader downtown vision.
Next Steps for Residents
The public hearing is scheduled for May 28 at Stow City Hall. After that, the Council will move ahead with additional readings and votes, taking public comment into account. If adopted, the ordinances would reset development rules in the city center and could strongly influence how Stow’s downtown takes shape over the coming years.
