Stark County panel approves rezone and PUD for roughly 303‑acre site

The Stark County Planning and Zoning Commission approved two related land‑use applications on April 13, granting a future land use map amendment and a zoning map amendment with a planned unit development overlay for an approximately 303‑acre property in section 33 of Township 140 North, Range 93 West.

Steve Josephson, identified in the hearing transcript as county planner, told the commission that the staff recommendation on both FLM01‑2026 and PUD01‑2026 was unchanged from the April 2 report and that the applicant had requested no changes. "You have the staff recommendation that was presented on April the 2nd. Nothing has been changed from that," Josephson said and offered to answer questions.

A commissioner who was not identified by name in the transcript raised concerns about public notice and local understanding of the proposal, saying residents in Taylor felt they had not been given enough information and that "last time I checked, there's been 744 views of that meeting." That speaker read phase‑one project details from the staff recommendation, saying the initial phase would include grain storage and drying bins, associated grain‑handling infrastructure served by a rail spur off the Burlington Northern Santa Fe main line, with access from 36th Street Southwest. The commissioner also noted that, because the site is currently zoned agricultural, certain on‑farm facilities could be constructed without a zoning change.

After discussion, the commission voted to approve the future land use map amendment (FLM01‑2026). Roll call: Commissioner Clarys — Aye; Commissioner Murphy — Aye; Commissioner Larson — Nay; Commissioner Frelich — Aye; Commissioner Nicholas — Aye; Commissioner Goldsmith — Aye; Dr. Bear — No; the chair cast an Aye vote and the motion carried.

The commission then approved the zoning map amendment with a Planned Unit Development overlay (PUD01‑2026) for the same parcel; the recorded roll call was Commissioner Murphy — Aye; Commissioner Nicholas — Aye; Commissioner Larson — Nay; Commissioner Clarys — Aye; Commissioner Frelich — Aye; Commissioner Goldsmith — Aye; Dr. Bear — No; the chair cast an Aye vote and the motion carried.

The applicant is recorded in the transcript under two spellings ("Ben Kuen" and "Ben Kuhn"); the transcript indicates he previously presented to the commission and that a letter of support was submitted from the City of Taylor. The staff recommendation describes the site as approximately 303 acres and specifies the phase‑one uses and rail access described above.

Both approvals now move to the Stark County Commission for consideration; the transcript notes the County Commission was scheduled to hear the matter at 4:00 p.m. the same day.

Clarifying details from the meeting: the property acreage was stated as approximately 303 acres; exact legal descriptions were recorded as southeast and southwest quarters of section 33, Township 140 North, Range 93 West; staff said the conditions in the April 2 staff report remain in effect; the transcript records the applicant name with two spellings (see above).