Feb. 14 Akron Planning Commission meeting
Covered by Documenter Christina Brunson (see her notes here)
New Akron homes may be on the way after the Akron Planning Commission unanimously approved two housing-related items at its Feb. 14 meeting. The group granted an extension of the Welcome Home Akron program. The commission also opened up lots for new home development in Summit Lake known as infill housing.
“Infill development is a term used to describe building on vacant or under-used parcels within densely developed urban areas,” according to the Cuyahoga Land Bank, a nonprofit group that works on housing issues in Cuyahoga County.
In the Summit Lake neighborhood, city-owned vacant lots are being offered for sale to builders and individuals to build new houses. Builders have access to City of Akron water and sewer infrastructure and will receive a 15-year residential property tax abatement.
“The goals of these policies are to increase the supply of available stock of new home construction, to offer additional opportunities for home ownership, and to activate underutilized city land,” according to a planning department memo presented to the commission.
Welcome Home Program extended
The commission also approved the city’s request to continue the Welcome Home Akron Program which started in 2021. This is a joint project between the city and Summit County Land Bank according to City of Akron Director of Communications Stephanie Marsh.
The purpose of the program mirrors the policies of the planning commission, including adding new residential housing to “long-established neighborhoods,” according to a planning department memo.
The Ohio General Assembly and Gov. Mike DeWine approved the creation of the Welcome Home program, which helps improve housing opportunities across Ohio.
Lawmakers initially funded the state program with $100 million in general revenue fund grants and $50 million in nonrefundable tax credits, according to the program website. The program receives $25 million per year to cover the cost of purchasing lots and residential property.
This opportunity potentially can fund about 2,150 homes across Ohio according to the program’s website.
“Ensuring Ohioans have a home they can afford brings our families stability and allows them to have a place where they can stay healthy, raise their children, continue working, and live their best lives,” Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik said in a December 2023 press release.
How to apply for the Welcome Home program in Akron
In Akron and Summit County, there are two ways to apply for this program.
Applicants should complete the program application, then submit it along with the appropriate required fee and additional required documents.
Applications can be submitted via email to Heather Niebauer at hniebauer@summitlandbank.org. They can also be delivered in person or mailed to the Summit County Land Bank, 400 S. Portage Path, Akron, Ohio 44320.
Some incentives may be available for qualifying owner-occupants, including:
- Active duty or honorably discharged U.S. veterans.
- Public safety personnel.
- Licensed public K-12 teachers.
- Current college students or graduates who have received their diplomas within the past two years.
- Women- and minority-owned businesses.
- Businesses within targeted clusters as defined by the Land Bank.
The program is open to anybody seeking to purchase property through the Land Bank, but there are some restrictions. Anybody matching the following criteria will be disqualified:
- The applicant is the owner of any real property in Summit County that is tax delinquent.
- The applicant is the owner of any real property in Summit County that is not in substantial code compliance with local or state building codes(building, health, zoning, fire, etc.).
- The applicant previously owned any real property in Summit County that was transferred as a result of tax foreclosure proceedings.
Next Planning Commission meeting
The next Akron Planning Commission meeting will be held on March 14 at 9 a.m. It will be held in City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, 166 S. High St.
