PERRY TWP. ‒ A gun and gold trade shop owner has lost his bid for a needed variance and zoning permit to relocate his business after a lengthy zoning board meeting on July 27.
Jakob Pool, owner of Pool’s Gold & Gun, 2931 Lincoln Way E, has been targeting a half-acre vacant parcel at College Street and Navarre Road SW for his new locale. Pool owns the property in the Richville Acre Heights neighborhood and has wanted to rebuild and expand his business there.
But the Perry Township Board of Zoning Appeals put a freeze on the proposed move, voting 4-0 that Pool’s “buy, sell and trade” shop does not fit under the township’s small business (B-1) zoning umbrella.
Pool said after the zoning board meeting that he will appeal the decision. The July 27 ruling reverses the board’s decision in May allowing Pool’s relocation. A public notification error caused a rescheduling of the session.
“I have as much of a right to put a business in this area as anyone else,” Pool said.
Prior to the board’s decision, Pool said a move would allow him to own rather than rent, which limits his ability to boost security as he sees fit.
Pool, 28, said his store has been broken into three times in four years, most recently on July 9.
For weeks, residents have been outspoken against Pool’s relocation bid and created the website No Pawn Shop in Our Neighborhood to spread information and promote opposition via a petition on change.org. There were 370 signatures as of July 27.
On July 15, Pool told The Independent he was rethinking the planned move and considering Massillon as a possible new home. However, he reverted back to his original plan after public opposition continued to mount and discovering that Massillon has similar zoning protocols to Perry.
“I also want to stand up for myself as a business owner,” he said.
Pool also took issue with his business being referred to as a “pawn shop,” noting that he does not offer that service.
Perry residents voice opposition to Pool’s Gold & Gun relocation pitch
About 60 people attended the nearly two-hour Perry zoning meeting. Close to two-dozen residents made comments to the board, mostly against Pool’s planned move. However, a number of speakers praised him as a good person and solid business owner.
Mary Zupp said having a gold and gun shop in the neighborhood would a major concern.
“Statistically, pawn shops bring more criminal activity,” she said.
Two people spoke in favor of Pool’s idea to move, including his sister, Sierra.
“He’s put in a lot of hard work, time and money into his business,” she said.
Residents opposing the move pointed out that since Pool’s shop sells “gold and guns,” the store may violate the intended purpose of the parcel’s B-1 zoning, which does allow for retail and service shops.
Many also said the business is not conducive to Richville Acre Heights, and more of a police presence would be necessary to help keep people safe.
Jason Doyle asked the zoning board to “value the integrity of the neighborhood” and deny the use permit and variance for the shop.
“It doesn’t belong there. It belongs on a major thoroughfare,” he said.
Reach Steven Grazier at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Gold and gun shop owner loses bid to build in Perry Twp. neighborhood
Reporting by Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent / The Independent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent | USA TODAY Network
