Note to readers:
The following item is a written record of the Housing Appeals Board meeting from July 16, 2026, compiled by Akron Documenter Bruce Taylor. 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 Housing Appeals Board reviewed eight properties at this regular monthly meeting. Seven of these were new cases; the eighth property had received an extension of time for compliance at the previous meeting.
- Of the seven new cases, all were recommended for demolition. In no case did anyone speak on the owner’s behalf. A neighbor of one property spoke in support of its demolition.
- The one continuing case involved a property that is being sold. An additional extension was granted to allow for completion of the sale.
Documenter’s follow-up questions
- How would Akron residents go about making complaints to the Housing Compliance Division regarding nuisance properties in their neighborhood? Have any of the cases considered at this meeting come to the city’s attention via neighbors’ complaints?
- After the 30-day waiting period has expired, how quickly does the city normally act to carry out a demolition order?
- If an owner is deceased, how can notice of the right to appeal a demolition order be given?
A regular monthly meeting of the City of Akron Housing Appeals Board was held on July 16 at 9 a.m. in the Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, Municipal Building, 166 S. High St.
Six of the seven members of the board were present. Four city officials and staff were present, including Housing Administrator Duane Groeger and Sanitarian Supervisor Jodie Forester, who introduced the individual cases. Six people were present in the public gallery.
No materials packet was made available to the public, although a list of addresses of properties to be discussed at the meeting appeared on the board website.
The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. The minutes of the previous meeting (June 18) were approved unanimously.
The chair explained that the board considered two types of cases: appeals of repair orders issued by the Housing Compliance Division and cases where the Housing Compliance Division recommends the demolition of a property. Cases where individuals had registered to speak to the board regarding the property were heard first. People wishing to speak were sworn in.
8 housing compliance cases heard
A total of eight cases were heard. The table below summarizes the actions taken by the board.
| Case Number | Property Address | Neighborhood | Outcome |
| Cases for which a person registered to speak at the meeting | |||
| #6213 | 1278 Kansas Ave. | Kenmore | Demolition recommended |
| #6188 | 601 Treeside Dr. | Northwest Akron | Extension until Aug. 20 |
| Cases for which no person was registered | |||
| #6208 | 1064 Arlington Place | Middlebury | Demolition recommended |
| #6209 | 1389 Brandon Ave. | Goodyear Heights | Demolition recommended |
| #6210 | 358 Cleveland St. | Middlebury | Demolition recommended |
| #6211 | 905 Hunt St. | East Akron | Demolition recommended |
| #6212 | 1844 Java Ave. | Goodyear Heights | Demolition recommended |
| #6214 | 1190 Seward Ave. | West Akron | Demolition recommended |
Suggested Reading
1278 Kansas Ave., Kenmore – Case #6213
The property is not in compliance with city enforcement orders, and is vacant, vandalized, tax delinquent, and the owner’s whereabouts are unknown. An exterior inspection on July 13 revealed many needed repairs. The Housing Compliance Division recommended demolition of the property.
David Case, an immediate neighbor, and his brother Ralph Case spoke to the board about the property’s lack of security and poor condition. They supported demolition of the house.
It was moved and seconded that the property be razed with costs charged to the property owner. The motion passed unanimously.
Forester mentioned that no action is taken on demolition orders for 30 days to allow for possible appeal by a property owner.
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.
601 Treeside Dr., Northwest Akron – Case #6188
At the June 18 meeting, the board granted an extension until July 16 so that sale of the property could be completed. The Housing Compliance Division had not received word that the title had been transferred.
Attorney Jenna Arrowsmith, representing the owner of the mortgage on the property, informed the board that closing had been delayed by a week and was now set for July 16, according to the title agency that was handling the transfer.
Forester said that the city would not object to a further extension to allow completion of the sale. Answering a query, she said that no recent complaints had been made by neighbors. It was noted that the new owner would need to appear at the next meeting of the board to discuss plans for remediating the property.
It was moved and seconded to allow an additional extension until the Aug. 20 meeting so that the sale of the property could be completed. In the meantime, the property would need to be secured and kept free of refuse. The motion passed unanimously.
Six other properties added to demolition list
Six other properties will be demolished following the meeting:
- #6208 — 1064 Arlington Place, Middlebury
- #6209 — 1389 Brandon Ave., Goodyear Heights
- #6210 — 358 Cleveland St., Middlebury
- #6211 — 905 Hunt St. East Akron
- #6212 — 1844 Java Ave., Goodyear Heights
- #6214 — 1190 Seward Ave., West Akron
In each of these cases, the property was not in compliance with city enforcement orders, and was vacant and dilapidated. Most properties were also tax delinquent. In three cases (#6208, #6209, and #6210) the owner was deceased, and in case #6212 the owner’s whereabouts were unknown. No representatives of the owners spoke to the board.
In each case, it was moved and seconded that the property be razed with costs charged to the property owner. Each motion passed unanimously.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 20 at 9 a.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:29 a.m.
