Note to readers:
The following item is a written record of the Ward 9 meeting from Sept. 1, 2026, compiled by Akron Documenter Ken Evans. 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
- City of Akron Planning Director Kyle Julien presented potential changes to Akron’s Zoning Code that the administration says will reduce barriers to new housing. This included a proposal going before Akron City Council in the coming weeks to eliminate Akron’s minimum lot size requirement.
- Council Member Tina Boyes shared general community updates from Ward 9. These comments focused on several things including improvements to Prentiss Park. She also talked about a $1 million Project ACORN forestry grant awarded to the city. Better Kenmore CDC’s 10th anniversary is coming up. She invited residents to an Oct. 17 community feedback event at the former site of Young’s Restaurant.
- Summit County Probate Court Chief Magistrate Steve Elliott gave a presentation on what court does and the importance of being proactive with probate-related documents.
Documenter’s follow-up questions
- What type of insurance is required for a city park to have a skate park? Does this fall under the city’s general liability, or do they need special coverage for the space? Do parks even require insurance consideration?
- What other cities or communities have attempted to offer free “pre-approved” housing designs? Have these designs been embraced by a wide range of residents or only by developers of low-income housing? When they have been built, what feedback have residents given?
- Why does it cost $1,500 to seek a zoning exception? If that fee is a barrier to development, couldn’t the administration lower that fee without the council’s approval?
The meeting started at 6:32 p.m. with 23 people present.
Akron housing programs designed to spur new housing
- Akron Director of Planning Kyle Julien opened his discussion by noting the city’s new down payment aid program, which helps first-time homebuyers with incomes below a specific threshold. The program offers up to $7,500 toward the purchase of a first home.
- Julien shared images of home designs that are “pre-approved” by the administration. The free designs are intended to speed up home construction by offering ready-to-build plans that already meet local requirements. The administration believes they could reduce the cost of new home construction by as much as $10,000 by cutting architectural and other design fees. The designs are also intended to complement the general style of homes throughout Akron, ensuring new homes, particularly lower-priced homes, fit within a neighborhood’s aesthetic.
- Julien then turned to a series of zoning policy changes the administration will bring forward for approval.
A history of housing zoning in Akron
- Since the 1980s, the City of Akron has been zoned almost exclusively for single-family homes. This means that any new home built in the city is generally designed for larger families with children. Julien explained that, in the current administration’s view, single-family zoning has severely limited new home development and investment, resulting in Akron’s current housing problems. While many people do want single-family homes, having only one option leaves the city without important housing alternatives like duplexes and in-law suites. While these options exist within the city, they have either been “grandfathered in” or require a builder to go through an expensive and time-consuming exception process.
- To contextualize this point, Julien showed a 1926 population density map of Akron. In 1926, Akron had approximately 40,000 more residents than it does today, yet the city’s physical footprint was significantly smaller. Large areas, such as Kenmore and Ellet, had yet to be annexed, and most of west Akron remained underdeveloped. That density resulted from the ability to build a wider variety of housing styles. Following this, Juilen shared three zoning changes the administration wants to adopt.
Suggested Reading
Proposed housing zoning changes include minimum lot size requirements
- The first change — which will go before Akron City Council in September — would eliminate Akron’s minimum lot size requirement. Many of Akron’s vacant lots stay vacant because once a home is demolished, a new home can no longer be built on that property. The previous home was a “legal nonconforming building,” a term that means a building built under earlier zoning rules and therefore grandfathered into the updated code. However, this distinction is lost once the house is demolished, leaving a lot too small to build a new house on, even though one had existed on the property prior.
- The next policy change, which is yet to be formally presented, would allow for more two- and three-unit buildings in neighborhoods. Part of what is known as “form-based zoning,” the system would require new construction to meet specific design criteria instead of mandating a specific type of structure. This type of zoning would permit development similar to that seen in older Akron neighborhoods such as North Hill and Highland Square. It is also currently being used in efforts to redevelop the Summit Lake neighborhood.
Changes could encourage redevelopment
- The final proposal, which is also yet to be formally presented, would seek to retain more of Akron’s legal nonconforming buildings. Currently, under Akron law, even homes and buildings that are still standing can lose their legal nonconforming status if they fall into disrepair and are brought before the housing appeals board. Julien explained that a new owner often seeks to bring the property back up to code, only to discover that it has lost its legal nonconforming status. The owner must then pay a $1,500 permit fee and seek approval from council for an exemption from the zoning code. Julien said this discourages investment and redevelopment.
- Julien ended his presentation by asking residents to follow a planner department link to provide feedback on each proposal.
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Ward 9 council member provides general update
- Ward 9 Council Member Tina Boyes opened the meeting by thanking everyone who attended the “Night Out Against Crime” on Aug. 4 at Prentiss Park
- She continued by highlighting her excitement about the improvements underway at Prentiss Park, led by the “Friends of Prentiss Park” (of which she is a member). She singled out First Glance’s Gary Dean, who has been leading an effort to create a DIY skate park at Prentiss. The skate park has also inspired Kenmore residents and the Akron skateboard community to help with construction. Boyes also highlighted the city park staff, who have stayed on top of maintenance despite being understaffed.
- Park staff is also working to improve the grounds at the old Guinther Elementary School site, including new plants and walkway improvements.
- Work is beginning at Pfeiffer-Miller South School, which is set to open in 2028.
- Sept. 5 was the 10th anniversary of the Better Kenmore Community Development Corp., an organization Boyes served as executive director before being elected to Akron City Council. A brief celebration took place before their regular First Friday event.
A closer look at Kenmore
Upcoming event includes food trucks and feedback
- On Oct. 17, at the former site of Young’s Restaurant, the city is hosting an activation and food-truck event. City park staff have cleared brush from the site, and River Guardians Ohio is working to maintain the water near the site to keep it cleaner and more accessible. The event is intended to draw attention to the site and gather community feedback on its future. The city owns the property and will be seeking proposals for the site’s development.
Court magistrates, judge candidates speak
- Summit County Court of common pleas magistrate and defense attorney Job Easu Perry spoke briefly about his campaign for Summit County Court of Common Pleas Judge and reminded everyone of the importance of local elections.
What’s the difference between a magistrate and a judge?
- Summit County Probate Court Chief Magistrate Steve Elliott explained what it means to be a magistrate and discussed the probate court’s role in Summit County. (Editor’s note: In Ohio, a magistrate is a court judicial officer appointed by an elected judge.) He emphasized the importance of being proactive in creating and maintaining probate-related documents, including wills, powers of attorney and dementia directives.
- Elliott shared a packet that contained a checklist of important documents and copies of many probate documents. The packet also included additional information about each document and the probate court.
- The presentation is a service the court offers for any group/organization with 20 or more people gathered. (Editor’s note: Elliot is the Democrat candidate for Summit County Probate Court Judge running against Republican Diana Stevenson.)
The meeting ended at 7:45 p.m.
