Neighbor Against Marhofer's Rezoning Request: Letter to the Editor

My husband and I recently purchased our home in Stow after living in nearby apartments for several years. The moment I walked into our home on Thorndale Avenue, I knew this was the place we were going to raise our future children. We are close to our family, work and just down the street from a great elementary school. We were ecstatic when we were able to move into our first home in April but our dreams quickly took a turn.

Less than a month after we were settled, we were notified that a large portion of the neighborhood we had just sunk our entire savings into was going to be demolished for a parking lot. The large fence that Mr. Marhofer would like to erect would be less than 100-feet away from my property line.  Instead of looking out my kitchen window and seeing decades-old trees, I will see a large white fence with a few “new, green” trees.

I understand that the Marhofer family has contributed greatly to the city of Stow; however, I find it disturbing that the Planning Commission is actually considering changing the zoning codes to benefit one business.  

What kind of precedent does this set for the rest of the community? To me, it says the zoning codes do not exist to protect residents and businesses; they are there to suit the needs of the few with money and power and can be changed on a whim.  

I strongly urge you to do everything within your power to prevent this from happening. I hope that I do not end up regretting my choice to invest in this community. 

Sincerely,

Allyson C. Burley

To submit a letter to the editor, email local editor Amanda Harnocz.