The developer looking to remake the Stow Kent Shopping Center will be able to do so without paying costly planning application fees to the city.
Stow City Council voted in committee this week to waive fees associated with redeveloping the largely vacant plaza on Kent Road up to $12,000.
City officials are working with the property owner to redevelop the plaza as a mixed-use development, the Stow Sentry reported.
Councilman Mike Rasor wrote in his Stow Patch blog that early plans show high quality, two-story apartments.
"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," Rasor said.
Stow Mayor Sara Drew said Monday the amount of fees will be determined by the exact scope of the project such as size and number of commercial and residential units.
"We’re very pleased with the concept they’ve put forth at this point," Drew said.
The public can expect to see detailed plans for the redevelopment at least by late March when it is expected to go before the Stow Planning Commission.
Council could vote on the proposed redevelopment as early as April.
Pending site plan approval, demolition on parts of the plaza and actual construction could be under way by the end of the year, Drew said.
"So hopefully we will see some tangible demolition work later this year," Drew said.
Editor's note: this story was corrected to note the fees are associated with planning application, not building and permitting, fees.
