What happened at Monday's committee meetings of Stow City Council

The committees of Stow City Council met last night. My notes are posted below:

The Public Improvements Committee discussed a resolution asking for the state to return local control to the municipalities with respect to oil and gas wells. I am not anti-drilling or anti-fracking, but I am anti-fracking in neighborhoods — if for no other reason than the disturbance of residents’ peace of mind. A sweeping, one-size-fits-all law (i.e., same for rural and suburbs) has not been productive, and the state legislature should create a compromise.

We are requesting a state grant in the amount of $373,867 to improve the walking paths to elementary schools in the district. The most costly expenditure will be for a sidewalk on Fishcreek Road, south of Stow Road. I’m not yet a parent, but I am a runner. So anytime we can add sidewalks in our community, I’m all for it.

We have finally seen visual plans for what could be an overhaul of the Stow-Kent Shopping Center. It includes high-quality two-story apartments. Last night, Finance Committee voted to waive a fee for Stow-Kent Associates, LLC not to exceed $12,000. Planning Commission will receive the plans sometime in March, and it will likely reach council in April. I don’t want to comment too much more until I receive detailed architectural plans, but I’ll say I’m excited at where this project could go.

Council will vote on these matters on Thursday at 7 p.m. Also, those who wish to comment on the ATV legislation will have an opportunity to do that Thursday evening.