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Documenters are residents who are trained and paid 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 points
- Indianapolis-based Ambrose Property Group has submitted a Conditional Use request to develop the grounds of the former Akron Baptist Temple. The church was demolished in early 2024, leaving behind an empty 29-acre lot. An Amazon distribution center is in the works.
- The proposed 387,860-square-foot building promises employment, a boost for local businesses and even a grocery store. But some residents still have concerns including increased traffic near the local elementary school, Rimer CLC.
- Planning Commission members Bronlynn Thurman and Stephanie York expressed sorrow at Campbell Oil’s building design plans for 1805 E. Market Street, which includes replacing Mexican restaurant Azteca with a carwash.
Follow-up questions
- How have Amazon distribution facilities that provide groceries affected local community grocery stores?
- The work benefits for the distribution center seem too good to be true. Having access to prepaid college and benefits while also being able to work whenever you want – is there a catch to this?
- With the zone being a single-family residential use district, would it be better to stick to its intended purpose and create more housing?
- The design plans for the distribution center have been finalized, so will residents’ concerns about noise, light pollution and traffic actually be considered in the final design?
Akron Planning Commission meeting notes
Meeting date: Nov. 14, 2025
Meeting agenda and information can be found here.
Learn more about the Akron Planning Commission here.
Next Planning Commission meeting: Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. at the Akron Municipal Building, 166 S. High St. 3rd floor. This meeting is open to the public.
Kenmore distribution center approved
PC-2025-43-CU&S – Petition of AMS 2025 BTS-Akron OH, LLC, for a Conditional Use to construct a warehouse and distribution center at 2322 Manchester Road, and sale of city-owned land
- Vice President of Development Cody Garrison represented Ambrose Property Group. Ambrose is an industrial developer based in Indianapolis.
- The request put in by the development company is for a Conditional Use permit, allowing the use of shipping, receiving and distribution for a Class A distribution facility.
- Garrison called it a sub-same-day facility, stating that its purpose would be to provide products to customers within 24 hours.
- Product storage for the facility would be customized by holding around 50,000 SKUs of popular items ordered within a 45-mile range of the building, assisting in that same-day promise.
- Garrison listed potential products the facility would store, such as everyday household essentials, pet products, pharmaceuticals and groceries. Groceries piqued the interest of the council, with commission member Stephanie York jokingly encouraging him to lead with that instead of things like golf balls.
Distribution center promises flexibility for future employees
- Potential opportunities for the community were the offer of full, flex, or flex delivery work opportunities. Flex work will give employees the option to work when they’re able to. “You can work three days a week, four hours a day. Or if you want to work 40 hours one week and drop down to five, that’s fine too,” Garrison said.
- Benefits for these employees would start on the first day, and they are the same for all employees up to the C suite, he said.
- Garrison also touched on pre-paid college tuition for employees. You apparently don’t have to pay it back, and you’re not obligated to stay with the company after accepting it. “So it’s a prepaid college tuition. You can come, learn a different trade or skill, and then you’re not stuck there for a couple of years,” Garrison said.
- An environmental study has been done, and Ambrose is currently working on stabilization measures to make sure the land can support a business like this. Operational traffic in the area is also being studied, taking into account the needs of local residents and businesses.
- Three additional speakers spoke in favor of the building. They were happy that the former church had been demolished, but the current empty lot attracts a lot of trash and litter. “It’s pretty disgusting and pretty embarrassing to me. And I think a facility like this, Amazon will clean up that area quite a lot,” said an Akron resident.
Some express traffic concerns and environmental impact
- There were two opposing speakers with environmental concerns, particularly regarding the proposed restraining pond that would allow for development on the current site. The pond could increase the mosquito population, bring geese, and also has the potential to flood. These concerns were addressed by Garrison and Akron Planning and Urban Development Director Kyle Julien. With the pond draining into a stormwater system, it will not remain still water. The stormwater system will also need a permit and is still in design and under review with the Summit Soil and Water Conservation District.
- Another concern was the truck entrance. Trucks plan to run on off-hours, causing noise for local residents as well as light pollution. The off-hours for inbound truck deliveries were not stated, but outgoing deliveries from the building are planned from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- A big concern for both advocates and opponents was the increased traffic around Rimer CLC, an Akron public elementary school.
- The timeline for the building would be Q1 of 2026 through the summer of 2027.
- Motion was approved.
Digital billboard near I-277 approved
PC-2025-62-CU – Petition of Kenjoh Outdoor Advertising, LLC, for a Conditional Use to place a digital outdoor advertising display on McIntosh Avenue adjacent to interstate 277
- The Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) ad spacing requirement is 500 feet from interchanges on freeways and outside municipal corporations. Akron’s code calls for 1,000 feet. Because of this, the requested location is one of the last spots for a billboard in the area.
- There were concerns from commission members Bronlynn Thurman and Michael Freeman about the number of billboards being placed in the area. A big one was placed on Manchester and Waterloo road, as well as two smaller signs approved by the board and recently installed.
Residential fence ordered removed in Ellet
PC-2025-64-CU – Petition of Garrett Lott for a Conditional Use to retain a solid fence within the Emmons Avenue and Ardendale Avenue setbacks at 110 Emmons Ave.
Resident Garrett Lott received a citation for his self-installed front yard fence. For the fence to conform to zoning code fence regulations, it would need to be moved back 10 feet on two sides. Or the height of the fence would need to be reduced by 30 inches for clear vision of pedestrians and vehicles.
Motion was disapproved with some reluctance from council members, and the fence cannot be retained.
Goodyear Heights three-unit apartment house approved
PC-2025-66-CU – Petition of Caitlyn Kaczynski for a Conditional Use to retain a three-unit apartment house at 151 Ruckel Road
The house is currently in a long-standing single-family residential zone. When the previous owner got the appraisal six years ago, this was somehow overlooked.
After the current owner, Kaczynski, got an appraisal done, the mistake was discovered.
The motion was approved, and Conditional Use will be maintained.
Car wash to replace Mexican restaurant in East Akron
PC-2025-67-CU – Petition of Campbell Oil for a Conditional Use to construct a gas station/convenience store, two-bay car wash, and truck parking area at 1805 E. Market St.
With the addition of the carwash, the restaurant Azteca Mexican Food will be replaced.
Motion was approved.
Signage approved for Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
PC-2025-70-CU – Petition of Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank for a Conditional Use to place oversized directional way-finding signage within the building line setback at 350 Opportunity Pkwy.
Motion was approved, and Conditional Use will be granted.
These notes are by Documenter Leasia Cubberly.
