A stretch of Lake Township farmland is one big step closer to becoming a full-blown subdivision, after Addison Properties locked in key public support for the infrastructure that would serve roughly 198 single-family homes south of Lake Center Street NW.
The deal hinges on tax-increment financing and county backing to build out water, sewer and other underground utilities meant to plug long-standing service gaps in the area. If the plan goes the distance, about 97 acres of farmland would be converted into a new neighborhood and public sewer would finally reach pockets of the township that still rely on septic systems.
According to the Massillon Independent, the Stark County Port Authority on June 25 signed off on a preliminary tax-increment financing arrangement that would let the agency issue about $5.5 million in revenue bonds to cover utility work and related costs. The package also includes an incentive that would abate 75% of the increase in property taxes for 10 years, while Stark County commissioners agreed to loan the developers up to $3.5 million to help with upfront expenses.
County officials say the financial structure is aimed at both expanding sewer capacity for future growth and tackling failing septic systems. Commissioner Alan Harold told the paper that those upfront costs are expected to be repaid through the resulting property tax savings.
What Addison Wants To Build
Addison Properties’ listing for the project, marketed as Addison Lake, describes a roughly 97-acre parcel that would hold 198 single-family lots served by public water and sewer, with construction potentially starting as early as 2026. Materials from Addison Properties and county planners show the layout preserving some open space and holding overall density below what PR-C zoning would technically allow.
The plan calls for private roadways to cut long-term maintenance obligations for Lake Township, and the township packet cites coordination with Canton Water and the Stark County Sanitary Engineer as the utility details get worked out.
Neighbors Pressed Trustees At Hearings
Not everyone is cheering the swap of fields for driveways. At an April public hearing, local residents pressed trustees over traffic, density and whether the new homes would actually be affordable. Trustee Jeremy Yoder told the board he believed the PRC zoning was designed for a smaller infill parcel, according to township minutes.
After hours of testimony, Lake Township trustees initially moved to deny the rezoning request. Even so, the developer has continued to push ahead through subdivision and permitting steps while working with county agencies. The Lake Township minutes capture neighbors’ objections and the developer’s responses in detail.
What Happens Next
The port authority is expected to enter a construction-administration agreement with the developer so the infrastructure work can move forward, with Stark County slated to operate and maintain the new water and sewer systems once they are completed.
The Massillon Independent reports that water-main upgrades and a sanitary lift station tied to the project are estimated at about $7.1 million, and the expanded service area could ultimately have capacity for roughly 1,800 homes. Michael Naso of the Stark Economic Development Board said he expects the bond issue to come before the port authority board at its August meeting.
For context, the Stark County Port Authority acts as a local financing vehicle, issuing bonds and providing administrative oversight for projects that are meant to spur private development.
