Canton Township looks to create tax-abatement districts near Whipple and Shepler Church SW

CANTON TWP. − Township officials want two tax-abatement zones established to encourage and assist a couple of planned commercial developments.

The tax-break zones would fall under the state Community Reinvestment Area program, which would permit exemptions of up to 50% on the real estate taxes assessed on the new or redeveloped property.

One proposed area for the Community Reinvestment Area designation is east of Whipple Avenue SW and comprises a land block that runs south of 13th Street SW for just over a mile. The other is along a roughly 1-mile-long stretch of Shepler Church Avenue SW, south of the city of Canton.

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The Ohio Department of Development still needs to approve the creation of the Community Reinvestment Area zones.

"The end game is to get the entire township overlaid with a CRA so that anyone that does some reinvestment activity can take advantage of it," Trustee Mark Shaffer said. "We want to see reinvestment in Canton Township that could possibly bring jobs. It is important to see commercial businesses because commercial businesses help offset the burden placed on residential taxpayers. The reason we are not focusing on the entire township now is because these two areas have an immediate need of development."

A Community Reinvestment Area already exists in Canton Township. It comprises an area just north of Lincoln Street E and dips about two miles south to Waynesburg Drive SE. It then runs about two miles east to the Osnaburg Township border.

What's next?

The Stark County Regional Planning Commission is helping the township establish the new Community Reinvestment Area zones by conducting a housing study.

Robert Nau, executive director of the county Regional Planning Commission said the purpose of the housing survey is to gauge what housing stock is there and whether the area could benefit from new development investment.

Canton Township Law Director Eric Williams said the Stark County commissioners will take the lead on applying for the Community Reinvestment Area zones.

"The CRA is actually county-based when you deal with townships," he said.

What's planned for near Whipple Avenue SW?

The proposed CRA area east of Whipple Avenue SW is where Young Trucks looks to construct a sales, service and truck-washing bay on what is now 28.5 acres of vacant land. The site is in the 2100 block of Whipple Avenue SW.

When Young Trucks submitted a zone change request two years ago, the plan was to build a 63,613-square-foot structure. However, Ryan Young of Young Trucks now says he might have to adjust those plans.

"I can tell you building costs are up like 30%," Young said. "I don't know the size or how many people I can move (relocate). We are looking to see any incentives we can get to make it happen. I am working on getting the plans done. And all these other items need to come together."

Young Trucks has existing sites at 4970 Southway St. SW in Perry Township and another at 2230 Shepler Church Ave. SW in Canton Township.

What's planned for Shepler Church Avenue SW?

In the proposed CRA zone on Shepler Church Avenue SW, LED Transportation plans to renovate the former Canton Bandag Tire Co. at 3321 Bruening Ave. SW.

Attempts to contact Gregg Elliott, proprietor of LED Transportation, were not successful. But in an earlier interview, Elliott said his company planned to leave its present location at 4457 Navarre Road SW in Perry Township. He also said taking over the former Canton Bandag Tire site would involve remodeling.

Reach Malcolm at malcolm.hall@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton Township wants to create two Community Reinvestment Area zones