Council Tables Ordinance That Would Allow Apartment Buildings on Applegrove

North Canton City Council voted Monday night to table an ordinance that would allow the rezoning of 4.9 acres of undeveloped land on the south side of Applegrove Road, across from .

The proposed ordinance would change three parcels from Residential-Two Family (R-2F) to General Business A (GB-A). The zoning board had made the recommendation to Council.

Councilman Doug Foltz, Ward 1, said he supports those who live in his ward and are directly affected by the rezoning. Thirty-nine nearby residents had signed a petition stating they don't approve of the zoning change.

"That's all I need to hear when I go to vote — the residents here that live in that area." Foltz said. "I'm against this zoning change. And 39 of my residents that live in this city are against it. ... That's enough for me to say, 'This isn't a good move for the city.'"

Ronald and William Postiy own the tract of land, on which developer Bill Lemmon had planned to build three 20-unit apartment buildings.

A handful of residents spoke before Council that night and voiced several concerns, ranging from the need to test the land for coal mines to the desire to reduce temporary housing in the city.

Councilman-at-large Mark Cerreta had a differing opinion.

"I think everybody knows I am very proactive about our businesses here in the town," Cerreta said. "People who have moved into that section are people who are interested in money in our town. They go to CVS, they go to , they go to K-Mart, they go to . This is the kind of thing we cannot lose out on."

"But, there are a lot of questions here, so I'm OK with tabling this thing until we answer those questions."

Council voted unanimously to table the ordinance.