Council approves annexation and rezoning for 2521 Reinhardt College Parkway with native screening condition

The Canton City Mayor and Council voted May 7 to annex and rezone roughly 4.2 acres at 2521 Reinhardt College Parkway, approving a request to change the property's designation from R-40 (County) to OI (Office Institutional) and adding a condition requiring native evergreen landscape screening.

Planning staff described the proposal as the headquarters of a local pool company that will primarily use the site for offices with storage of non-hazardous, nontoxic chemicals in the rear. "Staff does recommend approval of this item, not to the GC as requested, but to OI," planner Turner said, explaining that OI better limits future uses than General Commercial.

Council discussed screening choices after neighbors requested alternatives to Leyland cypress; staff said native evergreen species from the city's approved plant palette would be required. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the annexation and rezoning with the screening condition; the motion was seconded and passed with all members voting aye.

Staff noted the annexation would place the parcel in Council Ward 2 and that issues like grading and building inspections for fire suppression would be addressed during permitting. The public hearing for related conditional uses was scheduled for June 4 with potential action July 2 where applicable.