Vacant lots, business growth are targets of South Akron, Kenmore redevelopment plans

Akron Planning Commission notes

• Planning Commission website
• Meeting documents can be found here
• The meeting began at 9:05 a.m.
  • The commission corrected and approved the minutes for the July 10 meeting

124 acres in South Akron part of improvement plan

• Sweitzer redevelopment plan documents can be found here.
• The commission reviewed a proposed redevelopment plan covering approximately 124 acres in South Akron, approximately bounded by East South Street to the north, railroad tracks and South Main Street to the west, Grant Street to the east, and Steiner Avenue and Miller Avenue to the south. 
• According to the staff presentation, the redevelopment area is primarily commercial and industrial and includes the Summit County Jail, vacant lots and three houses.
• The area also contains vacant and underutilized properties. Surrounding land use to the north is dominated by Interstate 76 and to the west by the railroad and South Main Street. The primary uses to the east and south of the area are residential, but only three houses are inside the development area. 
• The redevelopment plan would not change the existing zoning.
• Planning staff said that establishment of the redevelopment plan would allow the city to use redevelopment tools, including tax increment financing, under the Ohio Revised Code.
• Planning staff said that the redevelopment plan was intended to provide opportunities for business development, job creation and revenue generation.

Neighborhood leader urges input from businesses, groups

• Joe Tucker, executive director of South Street Ministries, spoke in favor of the Sweitzer Redevelopment Plan.
• He said neighboring businesses would like to participate in the planning process and that the organization was interested in the progression of neighborhood development.
• He also referred to emerging businesses in the area and expressed interest in future community engagement related to the plan.
• The Planning Department staff recommended approval of the redevelopment plan.
• The Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of the plan. 

Kenmore plan would support business development

• West Wilbeth Road Redevelopement Plan documents can be found here.
• The proposed West Wilbeth Road Redevelopment Area is located south of West Wilbeth Road just east of Interstate 76 and north of Interstate 277 in the southwest quadrant of the city. The redevelopment area consists of seven parcels totaling approximately 41 acres. 
• Land uses in the area include commercial production, warehousing and storage. Planning staff also identified vacant and underutilized property within the area.
• The entire redevelopment area is zoned for industrial use, and planning staff said the zoning would not change.
• Staff said that establishing the redevelopment plan would allow the city to use tax increment financing under provisions of the Ohio Revised Code.
• Planning staff said that the plan was intended to support business development and generate resources for future public improvements.
• A city representative said that the redevelopment process could provide a mechanism to address costs associated with future development and potentially use tax increment financing for improvements.
• The Planning Department recommended approval of the redevelopment plan.
• The Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of the plan.

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City seeks to sell vacant lot in Middlebury

Sale of City-owned land at 123 Berkley St. in Middlebury (PC-2026-31-S)

• The city proposed selling approximately 0.084 acres of vacant city-owned land to Ronald Ricketson, who owns 127 Berkley St.
• The city acquired the property in 2013 through a Summit County Sheriff sale and tax program. The property was described as no longer being needed for municipal purposes.
• The adjoining property owner had a $50-per-month license agreement with the city that included an option to purchase the lot and combine it with the adjoining property.
• Planning staff said combining the property with the adjoining parcel would support use and redevelopment of the property. 
• Planning Department staff recommended approval of the sale.
• The Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of the sale. 

East Akron businesses earns support in request for land

Sale of City-owned land at 1474 Englewood Ave. in East Akron to East Summit LLC (PC-2026-33-S)   

• The city proposed selling approximately 0.637 acres of vacant land to the owner of Harwick Standard Distribution Corp. at 60 S. Seiberling Street.
• The property is located in an area that permits apartment, office, retail and commercial uses.
• A 57-inch sewer line extends through the property. The city would retain an easement allowing access to the sewer line for maintenance.
• Planning staff said the sale would allow the neighboring business to expand its driveway entrance and parking areas.
• During the meeting, a commissioner asked about the purchase price. Staff said that the price would be $25,000 per acre for the 0.637-acre parcel.
• Planning Department staff recommended approval of the sale.
• The Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of the sale. 

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South Akron data center expansion plans move forward

Street change recommendations in South Akron (PC-2026-25-D&V)

• The commission reviewed a proposal to vacate portions of Gulf Street, Star Street and the Washington Street utility right-of-way, and to dedicate a portion of Miami Street. To vacate a street means the street is no longer public property. A dedication is to turn private land into a public street. 
• ASIK Properties, LLC and Cotter Miami LLC who own nearby property asked the city to vacate the existing right-of-way. ARK Data Center, 191 E. Miller Ave., plans to buy the property for expansion of their business northward. 
• An area of 58,266 square feet was proposed for vacation.
• Staff said that water and sanitary mains within the affected rights-of-way would no longer be necessary for the proposed development and would be abandoned or removed as required. Stormwater from the site would be directed to an existing 42-inch storm sewer in Miami Street.
• Staff said that the proposed street vacations would not negatively affect neighborhood traffic conditions.
• The property associated with the street vacations would be combined with the property near 191 E. Miller Ave. to allow expansion to the north.
• The proposal also included extending Miami Street and creating a cul-de-sac with sufficient space for emergency and municipal vehicles to maneuver.
• Planning Department staff recommended approval.
• The Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of the plan. 

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6-unit apartment approved for South Akron location

Construction of a 6-unit apartment development at the southwest corner of Cole Avenue and Sweitzer Avenue in South Akron (PC-2026-28-CU) 

• Document found here
• The commission approved a conditional-use request to construct a six-unit residential development on property located in a single-family residential use district.
• Because of the existing zoning designation, the commission required conditional-use approval. 
• The proposed development would include a four-unit building and a two-unit building, and each apartment would include:
  • Three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms
  • A one-car garage, and an additional parking space. Parking would be located behind the buildings and accessed through a common driveway.
  • A small front porch
• Manuel Smart, the petitioner, said that a large oak tree on the property would be preserved.
• Planning staff said that two-family and small multifamily residences already exist within the surrounding area.
• Staff also said that the proposed development would be within approximately a five-minute walk of a METRO RTA bus route.
• Planning staff described the proposed units as a form of middle housing and stated that the project would add housing units and return vacant land to productive use.

Developer must preserve 36″ oak tree on property

• Planning Department staff recommended approval subject to conditions, including:
  • That the 36” oak tree in the front yard facing Sweitzer Avenue be preserved and protected with construction fencing within 13 feet of the trunk throughout construction. 
  • That the petitioner restore and repair drive aprons, curbing and sidewalks along the Cole Avenue and Sweitzer Avenue street frontages at their expense and comply with Section 98.21 of the Code of Ordinances. 

• Smart told the commission that there are vacant properties in the area and said that some vacant locations have experienced drug activity. He plans to manage the properties himself and that his business is located next to the development.
• A commissioner asked whether the units would be Section 8 or HUD housing, and Smart said no though he has other properties approved for Section 8 and that he does not reject participation in the program generally.
• The commissioners discussed the project and overall zoning changes that could allow a wider variety of housing types in Akron neighborhoods. A city official said that under a different zoning framework, similar housing projects could potentially be permitted without requiring the same conditional-use process. The discussion also referenced federal housing policy and the relationship between local housing policies and potential federal funding.
• The Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of the request.

Merriman Hills oversized garage plans can continue

Request to construct an oversized garage/accessory structure at 911 Merriman Road in Merriman Hills. (PC-2026-29-CU)

• Document found here
• The commission approved a conditional-use request for an oversized garage/accessory structure on a residential property. Planning staff said that the proposed building footprint had been revised to approximately 1,833 square feet.
• Conditional-use approval was required because the structure would exceed 900 square feet and would be more than 15 feet tall. The structure would be located behind the existing residence and accessed from the home’s existing driveway.
• Planning Department staff recommended approval if conditions are met. 
• The Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of the request.

The meeting concluded at 9:40 a.m.