Note to readers:
The following item is a written record of the Akron Housing Appeals Board meeting from Sept. 17, compiled by Akron Documenter Dreama Mason Whitfield. It is not a reported story.
Documenters are residents who are trained 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
- The Akron Housing Appeals Board reviewed properties cited for vacancy, fire damage, deterioration, tax delinquency, vandalism and other code concerns. The board heard testimony from property owners, family members and neighbors before voting on Akron house demolition orders or extensions for rehabilitation work.
- Eight demolition motions passed unanimously, 4-0. Two other cases received extensions. This included a Treeside Drive house in Northwest Akron. A motion to remove it from the agenda did not pass, but the board approved a 90-day extension through the December meeting.
- Residents who spoke at the meeting repeatedly raised safety concerns involving unsecured structures, debris, squatters, wildlife, fire damage, and risks near schools, bus stops, parks and other community spaces.
Documenter’s follow-up questions
- For each property ordered to be demolished, what is the expected timeline from the board vote through the appeal period, utility disconnection, asbestos review and ultimate demolition?
- What specific rehabilitation milestones will the city use to evaluate the Treeside Drive and Alexander Street cases at their next hearings?
- How does the city decide when continued rehabilitation efforts are sufficient to justify another extension rather than demolition?
Housing Appeals Board meeting notes
The Housing Appeals Board met Sept. 17, in Akron City Council Chambers. The board considered new, review and waiver cases involving properties cited for serious housing code violations. Agenda and board results from the meeting are available online. Four board members were present; however, their names were neither visible nor clearly audible during the meeting. They also did not appear to match the board members currently listed on the city’s Housing Appeals Board website.
8 houses added to demolition list
Sherbondy Hill property owner has not complied with housing orders
721 Longview Ave., Sherbondy Hill: The property owner disputed the city’s removal of materials from a porch and side area, saying some roofing materials, wood, gutters, bicycle parts, chains and tools were usable, rather than trash.
A resident said he removed debris and paid workers to clean it out. He asked for a clear repair deadline and list of work required to bring the property up to code. City staff said an interior inspection had not been scheduled, so a complete repair list was not yet available. The board moved to demolish the property because of noncompliance with housing orders, vacancy, repeated city securing, lack of registration and neighborhood impact.
Motion and vote: Motion to demolish passed unanimously, 4-0.
Middlebury house sustains fire damage
734 Hazel St., Middlebury: A nearby resident described a heavily fire-damaged property with squatters, repeated securing by the city and safety concerns near a bus stop with children.
Motion and vote: Motion to demolish the property passed unanimously 4-0.
Owner’s son asks for extension on repairs
872 Hunt St., East Akron: The owner’s son asked for time to rehabilitate the family home, estimated repairs at about $30,000 to $40,000, and described planned help from contractors. A neighbor and city staff members described longstanding deterioration and fire damage.
Motion and vote: Motion to demolish the property passed unanimously, 4-0.
Neighbors report damage to West Akron home
994 Hartford Ave., West Akron: Neighbors described shingles, wood and other debris blowing from the property. They also mentioned raccoon activity, a major water leak and concerns that the house is near a school, park, library and community facilities.
Motion and vote: Motion to demolish the property passed unanimously 4-0.
Join the movement for transparency
Civic power can start with you! We train and pay Documenters to take notes at local government meetings and share them here. Learn more about becoming a Documenter.
Three South Akron houses voted onto demolition list
875 Beardsley St., South Akron: The city described the property as vacant, heavily vandalized, dilapidated, tax delinquent and not registered.
Motion and vote: Motion to demolish the property passed unanimously 4-0.
385 E. Crosier St., South Akron: The city described the property as vacant, heavily vandalized, dilapidated, fire damaged, tax delinquent, secured by the city and not registered.
Motion and vote: Motion to demolish the property passed unanimously 4-0.
856 E. Crosier St., South Akron: Via email, the daughter of the deceased owners requested more time to navigate probate. City staff said the probate process had been discussed for about a year and recommended proceeding.
Motion and vote: Motion to demolish the property passed unanimously 4-0.
West Hill homeowner submits voluntary demolition waiver
222 Crosby St., West Hill: The owner submitted a voluntary demolition waiver. A board member raised questions about the ownership chain, and city staff said the owner of record and other parties identified through title research had been notified.
Motion and vote: Motion to approve demolition under the voluntary demolition waiver. Passed unanimously 4-0.
Two houses’ owners granted extensions
601 Treeside Dr., Northwest Akron: A contractor reported major rehabilitation progress, including a new roof, interior demolition, garage-door replacement, siding plans and plans for new windows. The board emphasized the need for an interior inspection.
Motion and vote: A first motion was made to remove the case from the agenda. The motion failed. The board then approved a 90-day extension, keeping the case on the agenda through the December meeting.
442 Alexander St., East Akron: The owner and her daughter described recent rehabilitation work and plans for plumbing, soffit, the garage roof and other repairs.
Motion and vote: Motion to grant a 30-day extension through the October meeting, conditioned on an interior inspection, property security, debris removal and required permits passed unanimously 4-0.
Suggested Reading
Next meeting to be held in October
The next Housing Appeals Board meeting is Oct. 22 at 9 a.m. Properties ordered demolished remain subject to the city’s demolition process and any applicable appeals period. Properties granted extensions are expected to show continued repair progress and comply with inspection, permit, security and debris-removal requirements.
To report a housing code concern or make a complaint, visit the city’s Housing Compliance Division.
