Oct. 24 Housing Appeals Board meeting
Covered by Documenter Jackie Jantzie (see her notes here)
The Akron Housing Appeals Board convened Oct. 24 to review houses in Akron slated for demolition. Eleven residential properties were reviewed: two property owners were granted 90-day extensions and one property was removed from the list since improvements have been made.
The remaining eight properties were recommended for demolition; none of the property owners were present.
Akron houses recommended for demolition
| Case number | Property address | Neighborhood | Property owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| #6093 | 1088 Schumacher Ave. | Sherbondy Hill | Michael Andrew Jones |
| #6117 | 617 Elbon Ave. | East Akron | Harlan Wohnhas |
| #6118 | 324 Gold St. | West Hill | Randall Coblentz |
| #6119 | 1334 Hart St. | East Akron | Erma Dunn |
| #6120 | 496 Inman St. | University Park | Family First Realty LLC |
| #6121 | 324 Stanton Ave. | South Akron | Jeremy Jones |
| #6122 | 536 Vernon Odom Blvd. | Sherbondy Hill | Rhonda Talafhah |
| #6123 | 1106 Vernon Odom Blvd. | Sherbondy Hill | Sandra Davidson, Bonnie Foster, Estate of David Velka |
The owner of 765 Euclid Ave. in Sherbondy Hill stated that they are under terms to sell the property by the end of October. The board granted an extension until the Jan. 23 meeting. The new owner must keep the property secure and free of refuse and make progress on repairs.
The owner of 1110 Santee Ave. in East Akron was present to report that they recently closed on the purchase and are improving the property. Jodie Forester, the city’s sanitarian supervisor in the Housing Compliance Division, recommended a 90-day extension for the owner to make repairs on the property with necessary permits. Officials told the owner to keep the property free of refuse and secure and to schedule an interior inspection. The board approved the extension.
The owner of 254 McGowan St. in Middlebury attended the meeting and said work has been done to improve the property. Forester proposed the property be removed from the agenda with continued follow-up with the Housing Compliance Division. The board approved the proposal.
Board member changes take effect
In September, City Council approved changes to the Akron City Charter to change the makeup of the board from 10 board members to seven (Ordinance 324-2024). A quorum to hold a meeting is now four members according to the new rules. The mayor appoints members to the board. Council approves the appointees.
In February, City Council members and Mayor Shammas Malik sparred over the appointment of current member Alyssa Figueroa. Council originally rejected her appointment. Some members had expressed concerns about her past criticism of police and the White Pond Drive development.
Council eventually approved Figuero and another member after the board had failed to make a quorum for at least two meetings and was unable to hear and vote on appeals.
Current board members are:
- Alyssa Figueroa
- LaNeita Jones
- Kathy Wilkins
- Michael Howard
- Hartense Pryear
- Robin Rohrich, chair
- Barb Waress, vice chair
The board meets monthly but canceled its November and December meetings due to the holidays. The next meeting occurs Jan. 23.
Learn how officials consider properties for demolition. Read our coverage of the July 12 Housing Appeals Board meeting for details.
