Green Council discusses vape shops, driveways, rezoning

Green City Council held three public hearings on October 13, 2026, covering proposed regulations for vape and smoke shops, new residential driveway size requirements, and the rezoning of a 27.8-acre industrial parcel on Massillon Road for residential use.

The vape shop ordinance would define smoking establishments and smoke/vape shops, impose distance requirements from other such businesses, schools, childcare facilities, parks, libraries, places of worship, and residential zones, restrict them to B-4 and B-5 districts, limit operating hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and mandate signage and display rules. Assistant Planning Director Zhila Pezeshkpoor noted the city's current moratorium ends in November and that the four existing shops do not conform to the proposed rules. Council members debated the focus on vaping, with Councilman Justin Speight calling its use among Green High School students rampant. No action was taken after the hearing.

The rezoning proposal for the Massillon Road property at Stein Road, owned by RJS Corp. and under contract with Redwood Development for a 115-unit neighborhood, faced opposition from several council members and industrial property owner Jeff Buck. Ariel Corp., initially concerned about being adjacent to a 24/7 residential neighborhood, now supports the development after concessions. Council members Speight, Jeff Noble, Clark DeVitis, and Gerard Neugebauer each said they would oppose the zoning change. No public comments were given on the driveway regulation changes, which would allow 24-foot wide entrances for two-car garages and up to 30 feet for three-car garages. Council also approved a watershed grant application, a street lighting district for Stoney Creek Estates Phase 5, and non-requested hearings for two liquor license matters. The next meeting is October 27 at 7 p.m.

(Source：akron.com)