CANTON, Ohio – This northeast Ohio city is seeking to rezone the Skyland Pines Golf Club property for its “best use,” but few details have been released about what that might be.
Steve DiPietro, co-owner of Skyland Pines, said the rezoning is to better position the property if an opportunity arises. Despite rumors, he said, the land has not been listed or arranged for sale.
“Skyland’s ready for golf,” he said, adding that the event center also is accepting bookings.
If Canton City Council approves the rezoning Monday, the course at 3550 Columbus Road NE could continue operating as a golf course and will receive a zoning designation of I-1, light industrial, like much of the surrounding city property. Its current zoning is primarily general business and community services.
Skyland Pines is comprised of two parcels. The larger 132.9-acre parcel, which would be rezoned, is located in Canton. Another 6.62-acre parcel along the western portion is in Plain Township.
“Based on past intentions of the current ownership to sell the property, planning staff is proposing this change in an effort to preemptively and properly zone this area with the highest and best use of the property if a sale were to occur again,” states a memo from the Planning Commission secretary to City Council.
Skyland Pines’ website describes the 18-hole course as “one of the most popular in the area.” There’s also outdoor and indoor driving ranges, and an events center that can accommodate up to 500 guests.
The late Joe DiPietro, who also founded the Pizza Oven chain, purchased Skyland Pines in 1972 and added a banquet facility. It’s since become known for hosting local fundraisers and tournaments.
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What’s next for the rezoning?
A public hearing for the proposed rezoning of Skyland Pines and four other properties — including Stark Area Regional Transit Authority property on Gateway Boulevard SE slated for expansion and Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority property on Gonder Avenue SE intended for a collaborative supermarket and health clinic — will be at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall. The council vote will follow during the regular meeting.
The Planning Department proposed the zone changes to better reflect the properties’ current or potential uses, and the Planning Commission recommended City Council approve them. The secretary’s memo states that the rezonings are “in line with the theories of the comprehensive plan as they will promote the city’s competitiveness within the region and strengthen the city’s position to attract more development.”
The golf course is in Ward 6, which is represented by Canton Councilman Kevin Hall. He said he’s heard talk in the community that Amazon is interested in the property “but no one has said that to me.”
A resident of Plain Township who lives near Skyland Pines said he’s also heard rumors of Amazon’s interest from concerned neighbors.
When asked whether Amazon is considering a site in Canton, company spokeswoman Jessica Pawl stated by email:
“Amazon is a dynamic business and we are constantly exploring new locations and weighing a variety of factors when deciding where to develop future sites to best serve customers, however, we have a policy of not commenting on our future road map and are not yet commenting on any specific operations plans.”
In November 2020, Amazon opened a fulfillment center at the former Rolling Acres Mall site in Akron. The facility was expected to employ about 1,500 people at full capacity.
Reporter Edd Pritchard contributed to this report.