Members of the Akron City Planning Commission unanimously approved two conditional use zoning petitions during its Dec. 15 meeting at Akron City Hall. The properties include a charter school in the West Hill neighborhood and a gas station in the Rolling Acres neighborhood. They also said yes to the city’s $361 million 2024 capital improvement plan. Learn more here.
Charter school seeks approval to move, renovate building in West Hill
Oakmont Education, which runs Towpath Trail High School, is seeking permission to move the school into new facilities about a half mile from its current location on West Market Street to 375 W. North St. in West Hill. The new location is at the intersection of West Market Street and West North Street and is across from Akron Public Schools/ I Promise school.
Oakmont Education Vice President of Operations Tim Militzer said the company plans to purchase an existing building and renovate it. He said they need more space due to enrollment growth.
The plan and usage request was supported by the city planning staff. Nobody spoke in opposition. The proposal moves to Akron City Council for approval.
New gas station on the way in West Akron/Rolling Acres
Plans for a new Circle K gas station and convenience store on Vernon Odom Boulevard cleared another hurdle as commissioners unanimously approved a rezoning proposal brought by Circle K Development Manager Bret Lamb.
The property at 1526 Vernon Odom Blvd. sits on the border between the West Akron and Rolling Acres neighborhoods.
The three-acre parcel on the south side of Vernon Odom Boulevard is just west of VanDevere Chevrolet and I-77. Developers plan to raze the existing building and build a 5,200-square-foot store, along with seven fuel pumps and 30 parking spaces.
Other details include:
- Approval for wall signage, but a “desired hi-rise sign would be reviewed separately at a later date.”
- Existing trees and shrubbery along the street would “largely remain and would be supplemented as necessary.”
- The rear part of the property is “within the 500-year floodplain” and “new grassed areas in this area would provide not only visual interest, but also a degree of stormwater relief.”
City planning staff supported the plan and usage request. Nobody spoke in opposition. The proposal moves to Akron City Council for approval.
$361 million capital investment plan wins board approval
The commission unanimously approved the $361 million 2024 Capital Investment and Community Development Program. The annual plan, prepared by the city, outlines how money will be spent on projects such as:
- Street and sidewalk improvements
- Improvements to parks
- Improvements to public facilities
- Economic development projects
- Debt service on previously financed capital projects
- Water and sewer system upgrades
The funding comes from several sources, including:
- $91 million from local governmental funds
- $2 million from regional sources
- $203 million from the state of Ohio (including revenue from loans to be repaid by local funds)
- $59 million from the fFederal government (including revenue from the American Rescue Plan Act)
- $6 million from private sources
Nobody spoke in favor or opposition, and the proposal moves next to Akron City Council for approval.
