Note to readers

The following item is a written record of the Housing Appeals Board meeting from March 19, compiled by Akron Documenter Melanie Mohler. It is not a reported story.

Documenters are residents who are trained to observe and document local government meetings. Their notes are edited before publication for clarity and accuracy — unless quotation marks are used, all text is paraphrased.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalakron.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.

Summary

  • The Housing Appeals Board approved the demolition of 11 Akron houses. These homes were in violation of the housing code and few if any efforts were made to improve the properties.
  • Three properties were voted to be removed from the board’s agenda. Sanitarian Supervisor Jodie Forester said these houses were making enough progress to be on track to becoming compliant. The owners will need to continue to work with the housing compliance division to become fully compliant.
  • The board voted to remove 255 Cross St. from the demolition list. The property was previously approved to be demolished at the June 26, 2025, meeting, but Forester said she completed an inspection on Feb. 4 and found the home to be in compliance and that it no longer needed to be razed.

Documenter follow-up questions

  • What was the process for completing repairs to 255 Cross St. beginning in July 2025, after it was approved to be demolished a month earlier?
  • How long does it usually take to raze a home once it’s approved for demolition?
  • The meeting began at 9:01 a.m.
  • Four of the seven Housing Appeals Board members were present, which established a quorum. The board members who were present were not identifiable. (Editor’s note, city ordinance calls for seven members, but only four are listed on the commission’s website. They are Alyssa Figuero, LeNeita Jones, Kathy Wilkins, and Barb Waress.) 
  • Five city officials were also present at the meeting, including Sanitarian Supervisor Jodie Forester and Housing Administrator Duane Groeger.
  • Two people were present to testify and were sworn in.

House removed from demolition list

255 Cross St. | University Park | Ward 3

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6153). At the June 26, 2025, meeting, the board ordered the property to be demolished. An agreement to repair the property was signed on July 14, 2025. Forester inspected the property on Feb. 4 and found it to be in compliance with the agreement. All repairs were completed, and all permits were filed.
  • The housing compliance division recommended rescinding the demolition order.
  • The board voted unanimously to rescind the prior demolition order and remove the case from the agenda. 

Houses granted extensions by board

833 Sherman St. | South Akron | Ward 5

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (# 6170). On Jan. 22, the board granted an extension to Feb. 19 to keep the property free of refuse, keep it secure, restore the structure to habitable condition and schedule an interior inspection. Forester said the interior inspection took place on Feb. 17. The bathroom was complete and functional. Forester said a furnace permit is still needed, as well as a bathroom and kitchen register, kitchen sink and several repairs to the exterior of the home. Exterior repairs included installing downspouts, cleaning the siding, replacing or repairing the deck, installing handrails and providing storm doors. 
  • Forester said she had a follow-up inspection scheduled for March 16, but no one was there to let her in. She did not note any changes to the exterior of the home.
  • She said the housing compliance division would not be opposed to removing the property from the agenda, with the owner following up to continue work on the property and remain compliant.

Owner asks for 90-day extension, gets 30-day reprieve

  • The owner of the property said he has done the interior work and has been waiting for the weather to break to complete the exterior work. He asked for a 90-day extension to complete the remaining repairs. He has contractors that have been doing the work, and he was not sure why they were not at the home when Forester arrived for the inspection on March 16. A board member asked him what he has done on the interior, and what work remained on the exterior.
  • Forester reread the list of remaining repairs. 
  • Forester asked the board to grant a 30-day extension.
  • The board voted unanimously to remove the property from the agenda and have the owner follow through with the housing compliance division to continue to remain compliant.
  • Forester said the property is no longer at risk of being demolished, but the case can return to the board if the owner fails to comply with the orders issued. She asked the owner to contact her to schedule an inspection. 
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837 Leonard St. | Sherbondy Hill | Ward 3

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6157). On Jan. 22, the board granted a 30-day extension to keep the property secure, free from refuse, transfer ownership of property, notify new owners to schedule an interior inspection and appear at the next board meeting. The interior was inspected on Feb. 17 with the new owner. Repairs that were needed included replacing missing gutters and downspouts, removing vines from siding, replacing the roof (and obtaining a permit), repairing or demolishing the garage, repairing the chimney, replacing or removing the deck and remediating mold throughout the house.
  • Forester said the property was inspected again on March 17. She said they have all the necessary permits filed and significant progress has been made since last month, including a new roof, new windows and new hot water tank. The garage has been removed and wallpaper has been removed to begin mold remediation. Drywall repairs have started.
  • The housing compliance division recommended either granting an additional extension or removing the property from the agenda, with the owner following through with the housing compliance division to continue work on the property to remain compliant.
  • The owner was present and said the mold remediation was being done this weekend.
  • The board voted unanimously to remove the house from the agenda.
  • Forester asked the owner to call her to schedule an inspection in the next 30 days.

1110 Santee Ave. | East Akron | Ward 5

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6102). At the Jan. 22 meeting, the board granted an extension until Feb. 19 to keep the property free of refuse, keep it secure, restore the structure to a habitable condition and schedule an inspection. She received a call from the owner’s sister yesterday. The owner was unable to attend today’s meeting due to illness, but Forester said the exterior repairs have been complete for months. The only remaining interior repair is to install the kitchen and finalize permits. 
  • The housing compliance division recommended removing the property from the agenda, with the owner following through with the housing compliance division to continue to work on the property and remain compliant.
  • The board voted unanimously to remove the property from the agenda.

Go deeper: Read our full explainer on how Akron decides which houses to tear down, including how to report housing violations in your neighborhood.

Houses added to demolition list

1066 Triplett Blvd. | East Akron | Ward 5

  • Forester gave an overview of the case ( #6173). At the Jan. 22 meeting, the board granted an extension until Feb. 19 to keep the property free of refuse, keep it secure, restore the structure to a habitable condition and schedule an interior inspection. She inspected the exterior of the property on Feb. 17 — the owner did not schedule an interior inspection. Forester said there had been no progress on Feb. 17. She stopped by again on March 16 and the trash had been removed, but no repairs had been made, the owners did not schedule an inspection and no permits have been filed.
  • The housing compliance division recommended the house be demolished due to minimal progress on the property.
  • The board voted unanimously to raze the house.
This house at 117 Kelly Ave. in East Akron has been added to the Akron housing demolition list by the Housing Appeals Board at its March 19 meeting.
This house at 117 Kelly Ave. in East Akron was added to the Akron housing demolition list by the Housing Appeals Board at its March 19 meeting. (Screenshot via Google Street View.)

17 Kelly Ave. | East Akron | Ward 5

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6167). At the Jan. 22 meeting, the board granted an extension to Feb. 19 to keep the property free of refuse, keep it secure, provide information on help being provided and schedule an interior inspection. An interior inspection was not scheduled prior to the February meeting, but Forester said the owner did contact her to schedule one. She did the inspection on March 17 and saw that the only progress was that some items had been removed from the first floor. She was not able to access the basement or second floor, and no repairs had been made. The basement window has not been secured as requested.
  • The housing compliance division recommended razing the property, given the little progress that has been made.
  • The board voted unanimously to demolish the property.

788 Bertha Ave. | East Akron | Ward 5

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6174). There has been no compliance with the housing orders issued against the property. It is vacant, dilapidated, the owner’s whereabouts are unknown, it is tax delinquent, has been secured by the city and is not registered.
  • The housing compliance division recommended razing the house.
  • The board voted unanimously to raze the house.

949 Dover Ave. | West Akron | Ward 4

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6175). There has been no compliance with the housing orders issued against the property. It is vacant, heavily vandalized, dilapidated, the owner’s whereabouts are unknown, it is tax delinquent, has been secured by the city and is not registered.
  • The housing compliance division recommended razing the house.
  • The board voted unanimously to raze the house.

671 Easter Ave. | Sherbondy Hill | Ward 3

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6176). There has been no compliance with the housing orders issued against the property. It is vacant, recently found open, heavily vandalized, dilapidated, the owner’s whereabouts are unknown, it is tax delinquent, has been secured by the city and is not registered.
  • The housing compliance division recommended razing the house.
  • The board voted unanimously to raze the house.
A house at 367 Hillwood Dr. in West Akron is nearly hidden by trees and bushes in this 2024 Google Street View image. This house was one of 11 added to the Akron housing demolition list by the Akron Housing Appeals Board at its May 18 meeting.
A house at 367 Hillwood Dr. in West Akron is nearly hidden by trees and bushes in this 2024 Google Street View image. This house was one of 11 added to the Akron housing demolition list by the Akron Housing Appeals Board at its May 19 meeting. (Screenshot via Google Street View.)

367 Hillwood Dr. | West Akron | Ward 3

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6177). There has been no compliance with the housing orders issued against the property. It is vacant, recently found open, dilapidated, the scene of police activity, is tax delinquent, has been secured by the city and is not registered.
  • The housing compliance division recommended razing the house.
  • The board voted unanimously to raze the house.

918 Jason Ave. | Kenmore | Ward 9

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6178). There has been no compliance with the housing orders issued against the property. It is vacant, dilapidated, the owner is deceased, it is tax delinquent and is not registered.
  • The housing compliance division recommended razing the home.
  • The board voted unanimously to raze the house.

495 Sumner St. | University Park | Ward 3

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6179). There has been minimal compliance with the housing orders issued against the property. It is vacant, heavily vandalized, dilapidated, tax delinquent, has been secured by the city and is not registered.
  • The housing compliance division recommended demolition.
  • The board voted unanimously to raze the house.
Two houses on Shaefer Street in Summit Lake have been added to the Akron housing demolition list by the Housing Appeals Board at its March 19 meeting. The houses, 99-100 Shaefer (right) and 109 Shaefer (left) sit on either side of a home not on the list.
Two houses on Shaefer Street in Summit Lake were added to the Akron housing demolition list by the Housing Appeals Board at its March 19 meeting. The houses, 99-100 Shaefer (right) and 109 Shaefer (left) sit on either side of a home not on the list. (Screenshot via Google Street View)

99-101 Shaefer St. | Summit Lake | Ward 3

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6180). There has been no compliance with the housing orders issued against the property. It is vacant, recently found open, heavily vandalized, dilapidated, the scene of police activity and the owner’s whereabouts are unknown. It is tax delinquent, has been secured by the city and is not registered.
  • The housing compliance division recommended demolition.
  • The board voted unanimously to raze the house.

109 Shaefer St. | Summit Lake | Ward 3

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6181). There has been no compliance with the housing orders issued against the property. It is vacant, recently found open, heavily vandalized, dilapidated, the scene of police activity, heavily fire-damaged, the owner’s whereabouts are unknown, it is tax delinquent, has been secured by the city and is not registered.
  • The housing compliance division recommended demolition.
  • The board voted unanimously to raze the house.

478 Adkins Ave. | South Akron | Ward 7

  • Forester gave an overview of the case (#6182). There has been no compliance with the housing orders issued against the property. It is vacant and heavily fire-damaged. All lien holders have been notified, and the owner has submitted a voluntary demolition waiver stating that the property is in such a state of disrepair that it’s a liability. 
  • The housing compliance division recommended demolition with all costs assessed.
  • The board voted unanimously to raze the house according to the voluntary demolition waiver that was submitted.

The board’s next meeting will be April 16. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.

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