July 12 Akron City Planning Commission and June 18 Ward 10 meeting
Covered by Documenters Christina Brunson (see her notes here) and Wittman Sullivan (see his notes here)
Approval for the opening of a proposed waste transfer facility in East Akron stalled at a July 12 planning commission meeting.
Despite support from area council members, residents and business owners, the Akron Planning Commission cited the need for additional research and consideration in response to opposition expressed during its meeting.
For decades, the City of Akron has partnered with WM of Ohio (formerly Waste Management) for waste transfer services at 389 Fountain St. in Middlebury, but the site’s age, limited size and proximity to residents have been significant concerns for the neighborhood, according to city officials.
WM submitted a proposal for a new, state-of-the-art waste transfer facility at 1400 E. Archwood Ave. which is intended to address these issues.
The proposed facility would replace both the existing Fountain Street waste transfer station in Middlebury and the WM Akron Recycling facility at 1535 Exeter Road in East Akron.
Proposed site farther from homes than current site
The new site is located within an industrial and commercial zone, significantly further away from residential homes than the Middlebury site and on a larger parcel of land. It would be used to transfer refuse from local curbside trash trucks to larger vehicles for transportation to landfills.
The City of Akron invited residents to attend the July Planning Commission meeting to learn about the project, ask questions and offer input.
At the meeting, WM presented a detailed plan for the proposed facility that emphasized its commitment to sustainability and community engagement. The presentation included input from various WM team members, including Kate Duncan, attorney and counsel, and Dave Bower, director of sustainable growth.
Several community members and officials, including Ward 6 Council Member Brad McKitrick and Ward 10 Council Member Sharon Connor, supported WM’s proposal, citing the company’s efforts to engage with the community and address residents’ concerns.
Not all support new site
Other meeting attendees expressed vocal opposition to the project.
Attorney John Slater, who represented a group of residents who live near the proposed location, detailed concerns about noise, odors, fumes and the facility’s hours of operation. According to a city memo, the proposed hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the hauling company. Transfer station operation hours would be Monday through Friday 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Slater said WM’s operations are unsuitable for the proposed location, which is between several auto parts stores and across from a freight carrier.
Business owners Maria Brajdich and a representative from Best Energy Solutions echoed these sentiments, highlighting potential negative impacts on property values and local infrastructure.
Community members Megan Delong and Cindy Ha, who live near WM’s current facility, shared personal experiences of living with issues like pests and health problems and urged the Planning Commission to consider factors like those carefully when considering the new facility.
In response to the debate, the commission decided to delay its decision to allow for further research and studies.
Other items before the commission
During the meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed four additional cases, including approval to sell vacant, city-owned land in Springfield Township to Amazon.com Services, LLC.
- The city entered into an agreement with Amazon to build a 100,000-square-foot facility west of Massillon Road between Picton Parkway and the B&O Railway for warehousing and distribution. The project includes the construction of a new cold storage and distribution facility. When it’s completed, Amazon anticipates adding more than 100 full-time positions.
- The commission approved a petition from South Plaza Associates, LLC, for a conditional use to vary parking requirements at an 18-acre plaza in Firestone Park. The plaza is home to 20 businesses, including a Marc’s grocery store, Big Lots, KeyBank and Burger King, and the approved variance will reduce retail business parking to save green space.
- The commission approved a petition to construct a solid fence at 2016 Cramer Ave. in Ellet which also received support from neighbors.
- The 2024 Annual Consolidated Action Plan, which includes budgets for the housing needs of low-income or unhoused families, plus others with special needs who require supportive services, was approved without comments.
The next meeting
The Planning Commission meets next on Aug. 16 at 9 a.m. in City Council Chambers at 166 S. High St. The meeting is open to the public.
