Development News for North Canton, Ohio

North Canton Planning Commission Discusses Zoning Code Updates, Including New Business Districts and Smoke Shop Regulations

The Planning Commission reviewed proposed amendments to the city's business and industrial district regulations. Key changes include the establishment of a 'neighborhood business' zoning designation to bridge the gap between residential and more intensive commercial areas, and updates to regulations for light industrial zones. The ordinance also consolidates industrial district regulations into the business district chapter and clarifies procedures for unlisted uses. Notably, it prohibits cannabis-related businesses and adds specific regulations for smoke shops, defining them by their primary sale of non-tobacco nicotine products. Other modifications address height regulations, drive-through windows, and dumpster screenings. The commission discussed the implications of these changes, including potential impacts on various business types, the effectiveness of enforcement, and the need for clearer definitions. A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the omission of data centers from the proposed code and the desire to explicitly regulate them, potentially as a conditional use within the limited industrial district, to ensure public review and prevent potential negative impacts.