Green · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Green public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
27.8-acre Massillon Road rezoning to multi-family
A proposed rezoning of about 27.8 acres on the west side of Massillon Road at Stein Road from industrial to multi-family residential got its first reading and goes to committee, with a public hearing Oct. 13.
New Dairy Queen on Massillon Road
A new Dairy Queen is phase one of a three-building project on Massillon Road. The Oak Clinic has a purchase agreement for phase two, and a traffic impact study will be required once future phases firm up.
Quick Response Team mental health follow-up program
The fire department seeks up to $100,000 from the Ohio Attorney General to expand its social worker's hours following overdoses and mental health calls — 18 client interactions in September alone, with no local match required.
Arlington Road Corridor Improvements
The $13.5 million contract with Xtreme Elements moves the two-year Arlington Road project forward. Arlington Road will stay open during construction, but there will be a short Bettler Road closure, and officials are working on a communication plan and cut-through traffic controls.
Vape and smoke shop regulations (Ordinance 2026-22AA)
A year after the city's moratorium, new rules would define smoke shops, vape shops, and smoking establishments, dictate where they can locate, and restrict them near schools, libraries, and parks. Public hearing October 13.
The Core recreation center finances
Residents praised The CORE at a recent council meeting, and staff stressed the facility is meeting its mission even if revenues aren't huge. Membership is growing, youth fees are being adjusted slightly, and new promos (birthday parties, Parker's Challenge trail access, volleyball at The CORE) are rolling out.
Fire Medic and Service Worker II hiring
Eligibility lists for Payroll Clerk, Service Worker I, Service Supervisor, and Code Inspector remain active, and a promotion for Terry Horvatic to Service Worker III in Storm Water was processed. These actions determine who fills city jobs that keep services running.
Crouse Pond watershed grant application (Resolution 2026-R47)
The city is seeking a $430,000 grant toward removing the undersized, hazardous Crouse Pond spillway. The $1.3 million project would shrink the lake but keep a water feature for nearby residents.
Service Department equipment surplus and replacement (Resolution 2026-R52)
The city's 2019 sewer jet has spent more time in the shop than in service, and parts come from Italy on 14-16 week waits. The $50,000 trade-in toward a versatile $324,672 hydro excavator would let crews do catch basin cleaning, vault cleaning, and safer excavation around fiber lines in-house — but it means spending contingency dollars that won't be available for 2027 paving projects.
Veterans Day observance planning
The city needs nominations for a veteran to honor at this year's Veterans Day ceremony, plus a new master of ceremonies after the previous MC left. Nominations can be submitted online, with selections targeted for October.
Proposed federal weakening of Section 106 historic review
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation wants to make Section 106 consultation with states and local governments optional instead of legally required, on a rushed 45-day comment period. Green's commission is asking staff to draft a resolution opposing it and to get City Council on board.
SR-619 and SR-241 resurfacing partnership
Green would pay 20% of resurfacing costs inside city limits (about $800,000) plus full costs of ADA curb ramps and extra items, with work starting in 2028. Held for time.
2026 Bond Issuances for Streets and Refunding
The amended appropriations request is really about $3.77 million, mostly book entries to fund the escrow that pays off refunded bonds — saving the city $237,000 in interest.
Emergency alert notification gap
Residents were outside during a sheriff's search for an armed person and never got a city alert. The city says the info it received described the suspect as unarmed; officials will meet with the sheriff to fix communication channels.
Meadow Wood traffic safety and speed humps
Speeding cars — many carrying high school students — are cutting through Meadow Wood, worsened by the Bott Road closure, with no sidewalks and kids waiting at bus stops. The mayor says speed humps bought during the Arlington Road project will be installed on a trial basis, with resident feedback to follow.
Flock surveillance rejection follow-up
After confusion with the county, council confirmed the Flock camera contract has been terminated, the cameras are not in use, and the county and Flock will remove them.
Charter review of parks board role and funding
The Charter Review Commission recommended a 60/40 split and cleaner language describing the park board's advisory role. Council takes it up next; if approved, voters decide.
Loss of the sports complex ball fields
The city turned the youth complex fields back to CAK, leaving 18 fields. Lighting two Greensburg fields (~$500,000) is being floated as a cheaper, faster fix than building new fields — likely a 2028 project.
Aqua Ohio water rates 2027–2031
A new five-year agreement with Aqua Ohio sets water rates and service charges for Green residents. A public hearing with an Aqua presentation was held at 7 p.m. the same evening.
Redwood Apartment Neighborhoods proposal on Stein Road
Redwood wants to build about 115 single-story rental units, mostly two-bedroom with attached garages, on vacant industrial land. The project targets empty-nester renters and includes a new public connectivity road between Miller Park and Stein Roads.
Protection of Green's remaining industrial corridor
Staff and some commissioners worry that rezoning land near I-77 to residential permanently shrinks Green's already-small industrial land base, which the Long Range Land Use Plan reserved for employment uses. Others counter the parcel has sat vacant for decades with no industrial buyer ever materializing.
Megan's Way Out drive-thru safety ordinance
New code language would require a bypass lane so drivers aren't trapped in drive-thru lines. Only one bypass lane per site is required, and curbing that traps cars will no longer be permitted.
Arlington Road construction disruptions
Kunkle & Sons gets the concrete repair contract at $126,716 despite past subpar work, after agreeing to fix mistakes. Arlington Road closures hit late August, with Southwood Drive extension opening mid-September as a detour.
Outsourcing income tax collection to RITA
Green is moving to hand its income tax collection to RITA, saving an estimated $300K–$350K a year but with a one-month cash-flow gap in 2027. Residents get better online tools, but tax department jobs are affected and uncollected taxes get pursued more aggressively using federal data.
Drilling Safety Inspections After Twinsburg Explosion
After the June gas explosion in Twinsburg, the city is requiring a professional safety inspector (QCI) at Lumos fiber-drilling sites — paid by Lumos, passed through the city. Some council members worry about setting a precedent for all contractors.
7% Parks Income Tax Set-aside Change
The commission locked in charter language spelling out how the 7% parks income tax allocation can be spent — at least 60% for capital projects, and up to 40% for running parks. This gives the parks department flexibility to use some tax money for operations while protecting most of it for building and fixing things.
Redevelopment of vacant former Rite Aid corner
The long-vacant Rite Aid at South Main and Route 619 — a gateway intersection the city has been watching — will become a Friendly Express gas station and convenience store. Commissioners see it as a win for a blighted corner, but want maintenance standards raised along Main Street.
Emergency access and 'two ways out' planning
Councilman Noble used the South Main Street gas-line shelter-in-place and the Twinsburg explosion to renew his push for subdivisions with two ways in and out — including a possible second exit for the Hedgewood lane toward New Franklin.
Horse farm development approved by council 4-3
Noble reported the horse farm land development passed council 4-3 — he, DeVitis and Speight voted no. About 100 new homes are coming, and the project still needs final plat approval.
RITA Income Tax Collection Contract
The city is moving toward outsourcing income tax collection to RITA. A second reading was taken after an executive session, but action was postponed — Brent Trask's emailed questions on the legislation were also read into the record.
Cybersecurity requirements for the COG
New Ohio law forces all governments to have a cybersecurity action plan. The COG adopted Resolution 2026-07 as an emergency, with phishing testing, annual training and rules for reporting hacks and paying ransoms already underway through IT provider ETC.
AFG Grant for New Fire Engine
The fire department wants to replace a 17-year-old engine (~$1.15M) with a FEMA grant covering 90% if awarded, using ambulance billing funds for the city share.
Greensburg Meadow planned development rezoning
A 101-lot single-family planned development on 31 acres at Greensburg Road and Winning Way. Supporters say it adds needed housing variety and reinvestment; opponents say the density is too high for that corner of the city.
Central Park amphitheater rebid
Unsupervised middle-schoolers are vandalizing the amphitheater, restrooms, and splash pad area, and using bad language that's scaring families away. SROs patrol in summer and the city prosecutes repeat offenders.
Park vandalism and field misuse at Boettler and Spring Hill
A driver wrecked the Boettler basketball court (about $30,000 in damage), and unpermitted groups are tearing up Spring Hill soccer fields on Sunday evenings despite permit-only rules. The sheriff will boost evening patrols and the city may add license-plate cameras.
Unified zip code for Green
Green is still fighting for its own single zip code. A new Senate bill (SB 4505) unifies two House-passed bills, and the city's resolution of support would help keep the push alive in Washington this year.
Proposed Moratorium on Storage Units
Resident Dez Wertheimer pressed council for a one-year moratorium on new self-storage facilities, noting nine facilities with roughly 500 empty units and pointing to moratoriums in New Franklin and Coventry. Council members noted pending litigation over the South Main Street proposal and said code changes are under study.