Green Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

The City of Green Planning and Zoning Commission convened on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at 1755 Town Park Blvd. The commission considered two major items: a rezoning request from Redwood USA, LLC, and a text amendment to residential driveway width standards. Both items received favorable recommendations to City Council by roll call vote.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was read; the commission moved directly into business items. The agenda listed approval of the July 15, 2026 meeting minutes, but the available transcript does not reflect a vote on the minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Property owners raised concerns about the Redwood rezoning site, reporting that people park along the 11-acre property across from Pickle Road and walk into the area to steal.
• Tad, representing the property owner RJS, stated his company has been at its Massillon Road location since 1966, plans to remain in Green, and wants to see the vacant land put to use. He noted they gave the city upwards of three and a half (years of notice, per context) before signing a contract, and that RJS had previously discussed redevelopment of the Massillon Road property with the city years ago.
• Rad Schneider, VP of Acquisitions for Redwood USA, stated he was the only party that had ever contacted the owner about a development opportunity for the site.

Discussion Items

26-33 Redwood Rezoning (Massillon Road and Stein Road)

• Rad Schneider (Redwood USA / Redwood Apartment Neighborhoods) presented the request to rezone the site from I-1 (general industrial) to R-2 (residential). Redwood manages more than 20,000 units and already operates the Forest Woods development in Green, where phase one is built and leased and phase two is under construction. The proposal includes two access drives, private interior roads, and three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath townhomes with two-car garages. Schneider noted Redwood's internal landscaping standards typically exceed local municipal minimums.
• Staff recommended denial, arguing the land is located in I-1, is strategically located near I-77 for employment-based business, and that Green has little industrial land left. Staff also cited the comprehensive land use plan, which reserves the parcel for future industrial development, and stated the city wants to be consistent with that plan. Staff acknowledged the site is near interstates but not proximate to other industrial land.
• Commission views diverged from staff. One commissioner, a 40-year Green resident, stated he has never heard anyone say they want to move industry to Green, called the land use plan a "suggestion" rather than a "dictate," and called the project a "no-brainer" if it brings more of that investment in the right zoning. Another commissioner noted the public investments along Massillon Road (roundabouts and the shared-use path) do not "scream industrial," and that the airport district loses industrial prospects because land there must be leased.
• The commission and staff discussed a preference for a connectivity connection between Miller Park and Stein Road so trucks would continue using Miller Park, while acknowledging trucks could not be restricted from Stein Road.
• Discrepancy noted: the agenda lists the site as approximately 29.8 acres, while the motion referenced 27.8 acres.
• Motion: Favorable recommendation to City Council to rezone the property along Stein Road from I-1 to R-2. The motion carried by roll call vote.

26-34 Land Development Code Text Amendment (Section 157.134(7)(B) Parking, Loading and Stacking Regulations; Driveway Widths)

• The proposed amendment retains 24 feet as the base maximum residential driveway width and creates two additional standards. The change was prompted by Board of Zoning Appeals discussions about driveway widths, particularly on lots without sidewalks.
• Commission members observed that a 24-foot driveway paired with a three-car garage leaves no room to park and pushes residents to seek variances; possible midpoints of 30 or 32 feet for a three-car garage were discussed. Members also noted that HOA rules require residents to obtain HOA and city approval for driveway changes.
• In a related exchange on stacking regulations, commissioners discussed drive-through stacking lanes at fast-food restaurants such as the two Taco Bells in Green, noting that extra lanes are becoming more popular and that the city should "maximize opportunity" when reviewing stacking lane layouts, citing the open-space layout at the McDonald's on Arlington Road.
• Motion: Favorable recommendation to City Council for the text amendment, with the amended standards set at 24 feet for a two-car garage and 30 feet for a three-car garage. The motion carried by roll call vote.

Unfinished Business & Reports

• No unfinished business was reported.
• The council liaison reported that a group expressed gratitude for the city's support of their initiative, and noted upcoming items related to additional right-of-way regulations (not driveways).

Key Outcomes

• Item 26-33: The commission voted to recommend to City Council the rezoning of the Stein Road property from I-1 to R-2 (the motion referenced 27.8 acres; the agenda states 29.8 acres). City Council will make the final decision. If approved, the applicant will return for final development plan approval, where site-specific details such as setbacks and Miller Park/Stein Road connectivity would be addressed.
• Item 26-34: The commission voted to recommend to City Council the driveway width text amendment with new maximums of 24 feet for a two-car garage and 30 feet for a three-car garage.