Green City Council Meeting – May 26, 2026

The Green City Council met on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a public hearing on the Greensburg Meadow rezoning (Ordinance 2026-08), adoption of several resolutions, and committee reports. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM and adjourned at 8:37 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the May 12, 2026 Council meeting were approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

Public comments were heard during the public hearing on the Greensburg Meadow rezoning. No other public comments were made during the Public Report portion.

Public Hearing Testimony on 2026-08 (Greensburg Meadow Rezoning):

• David Johnson (2855 Byron Dr.) – Opposed the project, citing safety concerns with the proximity to the Akron-Canton Airport. He noted two crashes at the runway in the past 50 years and referenced a recent plane crash in Akron that destroyed a house. He argued the 31-acre site is closer to the runway than a previously rejected proposal from 30–35 years ago.
• Sam Porter (2782 Byron Dr.) – Expressed concern about noise from I-77, stating that barriers will not sufficiently mitigate sound from motorcycles and hot rods. He urged the council to require a sound study.
• Terry Miller (2802 Byron Dr.) – Asked about the permanence of the proposed emergency access road deed restriction, questioning whether a future council could remove it.
• Rick Benedum (2865 Byron Dr.) – Opposed the project, citing increased traffic from 100 new homes and safety risks near the airport. He noted that existing residents chose the area for its quiet, dead-end street.
• Lynn Anne Sklack (5178 Mayfair Rd.) – Frustrated with construction, loud traffic, and airplane noise, particularly late at night. She questioned how additional homes would affect traffic at the Mayfair-Greensburg intersection.
• Josh Pettit (2832 Byron Dr.) – Raised concerns about school capacity, stating that 100 new homes would add children to an already taxed school system. He also requested eight-foot fences for privacy if the development proceeds, noting the developer agreed but the city’s ordinance limits fences to six feet.
• Tabitha Nestor (2852 Byron Dr.) – Expressed that schools are already overwhelmed, sharing personal experience with her son’s ADHD and large class sizes. She questioned whether Byron Drive residents could connect to city sewer and water, and referenced a recent plane crash hitting a house in Akron.

Discussion Items

1. Public Hearing – Greensburg Meadow Rezoning (Ordinance 2026-08) The public hearing opened at 7:02 PM and closed at 8:20 PM. The proposal would rezone approximately 31 acres from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to PD (Planned Development) for a 101-home development with homes priced $450,000–$600,000, generating an estimated total build-out value of $45–$61 million and nearly $1 million in annual property tax revenue at full build-out.

• Developer Presentation (Greg & Rick Sommers, Sommers Development Group):

  • Provided an overview of the updated concept plan, which includes a boulevard entrance, relocated open space away from Byron Drive, a purchased property for emergency access (deed-restricted to prevent through traffic), enhanced buffering along I-77, and improved stormwater layout.
  • Emphasized the benefits of the PD zoning over standard R-1 development, including more open space (7.19 acres vs. 4.6 required), better design control, and a community with ranch-style homes appealing to empty nesters.
  • Stated that not all homes would have school-aged children; historically, 30–40% of buyers are empty nesters. They affirmed commitments to fencing, buffering, and deed restrictions.
  • Addressed noise concerns, noting that housing along freeways is common nationwide and that they would use mounds, fencing, and evergreens for mitigation.
  • Noted that the traffic study was reviewed and concurred with by the city engineer; most traffic is expected to go west toward I-77.

• Council Deliberation:

  • Councilman Noble (Ward 4): Provided context on current R-1 zoning, noting that without rezoning the developer could build up to 45–55 homes without council approval. He expressed concern over the high density (3.3 units per acre) and small lot sizes (6,000–9,000 sq. ft.), which he felt were a poor design and not consistent with the long-range plan for the area. He stated he could support a less dense development but not 101 homes.
  • Councilman Meager (Ward 2): Requested that a left-turn lane on Greensburg Road be required as a condition of approval, and suggested exploring a residential TIF (Tax Increment Financing) or RID (Residential Incentive District) to fund infrastructure improvements, including the Mayfair-Greensburg intersection.
  • Council President Speight: Opposed the rezoning, stating that the city has already met the demand for planned development housing (citing 88 unsold lots in other PDs). He argued that 101 homes on 31 acres constitutes overdevelopment and is “killing the culture of our community.” He expressed concern about the impact on schools despite enrollment figures being flat.
  • Councilman Humphrey (Ward 1): Advocated for a balanced perspective, noting that the school board is responsible for capacity issues and that birth rates are declining. He emphasized the need for a broad range of housing options, including smaller homes for empty nesters, and defended the free market in determining demand.
  • Planning Director Wiethe: Clarified school enrollment statistics (around 4,000 students, down from a peak of 4,400) and noted that schools were built for growth. He explained that a residential TIF could be brought back to Council for approval.
  • Developer Response: Rick Sommers offered to provide an eight-foot fence for affected neighbors (subject to variance) and reiterated the commitment to a turn lane. He noted that a RID had been used successfully in other Ohio cities without taking funds from schools.

The council did not vote on the ordinance; a vote is scheduled for the next meeting (June 9, 2026). Councilman Noble granted time requests for both 2026-08 and 2026-09.

2. New Legislation – First Reading

• 2026-R25: Stoney Creek Estates Phase V final plat and performance bond – referred to Planning & Economic Development.
• 2026-R26: Policing contract with Summit County Sheriff including Flock safety cameras (FY 2026-2028) – referred to Public Safety.
• 2026-R27: Appropriation modification – referred to Finance.
• 2026-R28: Resolution supporting Senate Bill 4505 for a unified zip code for Green – first reading passage requested and adopted unanimously (7-0) after bypassing committee and three-reading rules. Councilman Brandenburg explained the benefit of eliminating address confusion.
• 2026-10: Amendment to drive-through bypass lane design standards – referred to Planning & Economic Development (public hearing set for July 28, 2026).
• 2026-11, 2026-12, 2026-13, 2026-14: Bond ordinances for Southwood Drive extension phases, street improvements, and refunding of outstanding bonds – all referred to Finance.

3. Committee Reports & Third Readings

• Finance (2026-R23): Adopted 7-0 – authorizing $113,100 for 3.25% salary adjustments for non-bargaining employees.
• Environment & Parks: No legislation; discussed the Memorial Day ceremony.
• Public Safety: Did not meet.
• Planning, Community & Economic Development: Continued 2026-08 and 2026-09 to next meeting.
• Rules & Personnel: Did not meet.
• Transportation, Connectivity & Storm Water: Did not meet.
• Intergovernmental & Utilities (2026-R22): Adopted 7-0 – accepting NOPEC Early Access New Member Grant funds for energy efficiency projects.

Mayor’s Report Mayor Yeargin announced:

• A public information open house for the Arlington Road Improvement Project on June 4 at Reagan Chiropractic.
• Reminder to register for text alerts at green-ohio.org/alerts for construction updates.
• Upcoming events: Mayor's Morning Meetup (May 29), Raider Run (May 30), Free Yoga in the Park (starts June 3), Children's Summer Entertainment Series (starts June 4), Movies in the Park (June 6), Summer Celebration Concert (June 12), and Freedom Fest (June 27).

Key Outcomes

• 2026-R28 (Unified Zip Code) – Adopted 7-0 with emergency.
• 2026-R23 (Non-Bargaining Salary Adjustments) – Adopted 7-0.
• 2026-R22 (NOPEC Grant) – Adopted 7-0.
• 2026-08 (Greensburg Meadow Rezoning) – Public hearing concluded; vote deferred to next meeting (June 9, 2026). Councilman Meager requested a turn lane and TIF consideration; Councilman Noble expressed opposition to the current density.
• 2026-09 (Dunkin’ Donuts TIF) – Time granted; second reading to continue.
• All other new legislation referred to appropriate committees.