Design Review Board Meeting - June 3, 2026

The Design Review Board of the City of Green met on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 8:30 AM in Council Chambers of the Central Administration Building. The board reviewed three new business items and one unfinished business item. All votes were unanimous unless noted. The board approved the minutes from May 6, 2026, issued favorable recommendations for two projects with conditions, and tabled one project.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the May 6, 2026 meeting minutes unanimously.

Discussion Items

Item 26-19: Akron's Finest Mulch ID Sign

• Presenter: M. Halasa, owner. Requested approval for a new ID sign and front landscaping at 4590 Massillon Road (B-3 zoning).
• The sign will be double-sided, constructed with culture stone, concrete base, cedar columns, and a hard foam CNC sign. It includes an address column and landscape beds.
• Discussion covered sign mounting, low-voltage landscape lighting with optional glare lenses, and placement of a gate (kept open during day, closed at night). Board verified that the gate location would not cause semi-trucks to extend into the roadway.
• The board recommended approval to planning.

Item 26-21: The Chapel Community Room

• Presenters: Sarah Johansson (Prime AE), Joe J. (Executive Director, The Chapel In Green), Charlie Dustis (Director of Facilities). Project: a ~6,000 sq ft community room addition at 1800 Raber Road (R-1 zoning), with capacity for 400 people, warming kitchen, restrooms, and outdoor-facing restrooms.
• The addition will match existing masonry and brick patterns, including accent striping. HVAC units will be placed on a lower roof behind the main space, minimizing visibility.
• Board comments: need for 8-foot wheel stops (instead of 6), potential conflict with one designated handicapped space at drop-off area (to be reviewed by civil engineers), and coordination with contractor regarding crane usage and FAA airspace clearance.
• Board approved with these recommendations.

Item 26-22: Dairy Queen

• Presenter: (project manager from A Cleveland Architects) and Carl Warder (owner). Proposed new Dairy Queen at 4015 Massillon Road (PD zoning) as phase one of a larger master plan. Building ~2,900 sq ft with 35 parking spaces, 46 interior seats, patio, and three drive-through windows.
• Stacking capacity: 18 cars in drive-through lane. Board discussed potential stacking conflicts with future adjacent uses, but noted it meets stacking requirements.
• Masonry percentages varied by elevation: west side 88% masonry, east side 61%, south 75%, north 62%. Signage will be reviewed separately.
• Revised landscaping plan addressed staff comments, including street edge screening and tree/shrub calculations.
• Board approved with favorable recommendation, noting all staff recommendations met except signage (deferred to separate submittal).

Item 26-14: Friendly Express Gas Station (Unfinished Business)

• Presenter: Jim Persudo, Four Points Architectural Services. Project: conversion of existing Rite Aid building at 4053 S. Main Street (B-1 zoning) into a gas station, convenience store, and future tenant space.
• Significant changes from last review: expanded pavement near Turkey Foot Road, additional parking in southwest corner and along back of building (42 spaces total, exceeding required 37), six drive-through stacking spaces (for pre-packaged pickup only, not food prep), 73-74% site coverage (under 75% limit), auto-turn studies for boats/trailers and tanker trucks, and underground stormwater detention.
• Board members expressed concerns about site tightness, truck unloading interfering with pumps, and boat/trailer maneuverability. Some members felt the design was trying to fit too much on the site.
• The owner preferred to table the item; the board agreed, and the item was tabled (no formal vote to recommend or deny).

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of May 6, 2026.
• Approved Item 26-19 (motion to recommend to planning) unanimously.
• Approved Item 26-21 with conditions (wheel stops, civil review of handicapped space, FAA/crane coordination) unanimously.
• Approved Item 26-22 (with signage addressed separately) unanimously.
• Tabled Item 26-14; no recommendation given, pending further design revisions and discussion.