City Council - Special Meeting

We're gonna call the special meeting for Akron City Council to order. And we're gonna ask our clerk to read the roll.

Bolden. Aye.

Boyes.

Aye.

Connor. Aye. Davis.

Aye.

Garrett.

Present.

Greer.

Aye.

Hanna.

Aye.

Kamer.

Aye.

Lombardo.

Aye.

McKittrick?

Aye.

Omobian? Aye. Somerville? Aye. Wilson? Aye. All members are present.

We have three items that are up for public hearing. At this time, we're going to have our clerk read in item number one.

Notice is hereby given that the following open comment public hearing will be held by the Council of the City of Akron on Monday, July 13th, 2026, during a special meeting to be held at 5 p.m. Ordinance approving the 2026 Consolidated Plan Annual Action Plan for the City's Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnership, and Emergency Solutions Grant Programs. This notice was advertised in the Akron Beacon Journal on June 27th and on the Akron City Council website beginning June 23rd.

Helen Tolmec. Good evening Madam President, Council Members. The City of Akron's 2026 Annual Consolidated Plan prioritizes a budget of expenditures for community development block grant funds, home investment partnership grant program funds, and the emergency solutions grant program. The goals of the programs are to assist primarily low and moderate income people, to improve existing housing conditions, to develop affordable housing, expand economic development, and to aid the homeless. The City's 2026 budget is approximately $8.5 million. This includes $5.8 million of Community Development Block Grant funds representing a 0.4% increase from 2025, $1.5 million of home funds representing a 5.1% increase from 2025, approximately $512,000 of emerging solutions grant program representing a 0.3 decrease from 2025. We're also budgeting approximately $412,000 of anticipated program income to be received throughout 2026. The 2026 has, among other recommendations, continuing the Akron Housing Program in conjunction with the LED Program, continued new housing construction, supporting community development corporations, supporting the Minor Home Repair Program, assisting local emergency and transitional shelters throughout the City of Akron, supporting the Community Services Program in addition to the Great Streets Program. The consolidated strategy includes a narrative describing the housing needs of low-income families, homeless families, and others with special needs. The consolidated plan is a one-year budget starting January 21, 2026 through December 31, 2026, applying resources to the needs that I previously identified. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much. Well, at this time, we're going to open up our public hearing. Do we have anyone here in the audience who wishes to speak in favor or against? I know I do believe we have a couple individuals who are joining us online. We're just going to ask if you'll please unmute yourself so that you may be sworn in by our clerk.

Could you please raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you give will be the truth? If so, please say I do. I do. Thank you.

Thank you. Rochelle, you can begin. Sure. Well, good evening, members of Akron City Council. Thank you for allowing me to speak this evening. For those of you that don't know me, I'm Rochelle Sibio, and I'm President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, where I have had the honor of leading for 20-plus years now at this point, and we are located at 2301 Romig Road in Akron 44320 for our offices. So Habitat for Humanity has been a partner in the affordable housing space since 1986, celebrating 40 full years of building and repairing homes and rehabbing homes in this community. 249 homes have been completed to date and well over 800 repairs have been completed in the community. um over our history we have partnered with the city of akron with home funds as well as cdbg funds for a variety of different housing related activities as a trusted and respected partner in the housing space we encourage that the items in the consolidated plan relative to how home funds and cdbg funds are allocated to community partners be approved And most recently, CDBG funds were used to create safety kits for Akron's senior citizens, and we distributed more than 300 of those safety kits. So not necessarily a housing thing that most people know and love about Habitat, but another part of our mission of keeping our aging in place seniors safe in their homes. Home funds are also in use right now, creating 16 new affordable single-family homes in North Hill just off of Dan Street in what had been Phil's ward and I think now was more part of Sharon's ward. There are 14 of those homeowners living in their homes at this point, with one of them just finishing up here a couple weeks ago, and she moved in. So there are two homes left to finish, and those 16 homes with some home funding included on each property in total represents a $3.2 million investment in affordable housing for all the infrastructure work that needed to be done up there as well. And when that body completes, this council has approved a new city of Akron Park and $50,000 earmarked in the city's budget this fiscal year to contribute to the development of that park. We are planning a community celebration on September 25th for that home development when all projects will have been completed, again, utilizing home funds. And I thank you for your time this evening. And of course, for the many years of partnership with the city of Akron and Habitat for Humanity of Summit County. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Rochelle. Thank you for all that you do. And thank you for your partnership. Seeing and hearing no one else who wishes to testify, we will close our public hearing. Councilman Kamer, what is the committee's pleasure?

Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to poll my committee for time. Bolden. AYE. BOYS?

AYE.

HANNAH? AYE. AND CONNOR?

AYE.

THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME. WE DO HAVE THE PLANNING DIRECTOR THAT'S GOING TO GET A COUPLE QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THE NEXT COMING DAYS.

THANK YOU. Notice is hereby given that the following open comment public hearing will be held by the Council of the City of Akron on Monday, July 13, 2026, during a special meeting to be held at 5 p.m. Ordinance amending or supplementing Title 15, Chapter 153, Zoning Code, Article 17, Unified Planning Development District, Class UPD, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Akron, 2004, to amend developmental standards. This notice was advertised in the Akron Beacon Journal on June 27th and on Akron City Council's website beginning June 23rd. Mr. Hausbach.

Thank you, Madam President. Good evening, members of council. The Ascot Redevelopment Area and Plan was established in 1988 to encourage businesses to locate or expand in Akron, create employment, and secure increased tax income for the city. The Ascot Industrial Park is home to 23 manufacturing and light industrial businesses. Several of these businesses are currently expanding or have plans to expand their facilities. In addition, the City of Akron owns seven vacant sites at the industrial park, where new development is anticipated to occur within the next several years. The entire site is owned UPD 33, which permits most commercial and ordinary industry uses. In order to streamline the development process and better accomplish the goals of the plan, the planning department is recommending several modifications to the Ascot redevelopment plan. Under the current redevelopment plan, architectural review by the Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission and site review by Planning Commission are required. These reviews create redundant review processes that results in time delays for businesses wanting to build or expand. Under the proposed changes to the redevelopment plan, these commission reviews would be eliminated and performed administratively by the planning staff. New buildings and building additions will still need to meet the requirements of the zoning code and the development standards in the redevelopment plan. Additional modifications to the development standards include eliminating the requirements for buildings to have masonry facades, reducing the open space requirements from 30% to 10%, reducing front yard setbacks from 50 feet to 15 feet, and allowing parking in front of buildings. Modern industrial buildings are typically clad in metal panels, which is an appropriate and durable exterior material for an industrial park. The requirement for a 50 feet front yard setback creates grassed areas in front of the buildings that are unnecessary and unused. The proposed changes reduce the required front setback to 15 feet, the minimum setback required for industrial uses in other parts of the city, but the minimum setback for a loading dock facing the street will be 60 feet to ensure appropriate off-street parking areas for tractor trailers. The 30% open space requirement can limit the ability of companies to expand and add jobs on their existing sites. Development projects will still need to provide 10% open space and meet the minimum yard and setback requirements for industrial buildings. Finally, the requirement that the majority of the parking be located to the side or rear of the building is eliminated. Many of the existing buildings have developed parking lots in front of the buildings, and this configuration has not been detrimental to the general environments of the industrial park. The UPD 33 district regulations and the zoning code would likewise be amended to conform with the redevelopment plan's revisions by establishing a minimum building line setback of 15 feet, requiring a minimum setback of 60 feet for loading docks facing the street, and eliminating the masonry facade requirement. The proposed changes to the redevelopment plan achieve the goals of the land use and development guide plan, including promoting the use of appropriate vacant land for developments by new and existing commercial and industrial businesses. The proposed changes will continue to accomplish the objectives of the redevelopment plan and make it easier for businesses to locate and grow in Akron. This will in turn help create job opportunities and an expanded tax base for the city, contributing to Akron's long-term economic viability. Both planning staff and planning commission recommend approval. Thank you.

Thank you. At this time, we're going to open up our public hearing. Do we have anyone here in the audience who wishes to speak in favor or against? Seeing and hearing none, we will close our public hearing. Councilman Kamer, what is the committee's pleasure?

Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to poll my committee for a favorable report. Bolden? Aye. Boyes?

Aye.

Hannah?

Aye.

And Connor?

Aye.

Thank you. Like Jim mentioned in his presentation, this is to hopefully increase business at the industrial park. And with that, we're asking to move forward.

Thank you so much. So the committee's report is favorable. All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? The ayes have it.

This ordinance passes 13 to 0. Notice is hereby given that the following open comment public hearing will be held by the Council of the City of Akron on Monday, July 13, 2026, during a special meeting to be held at 5 p.m. Ordinance authorizing a conditional use to install additional signage at 1960 West Market Street. This notice was advertised in the Akron Beacon Journal on June 27 and on Akron City Council's website beginning June 23. Mr. Osbach?

Thank you, Madam President. Petitioner is seeking permission to construct additional wall signage and a pole sign at this location. When the petitioner received conditional use approval for a marijuana dispensary recently, the site plan only depicted wall signage above the front entrance. However, resubmitted plans depict two additional wall signs and a pole sign. The additional signage is a significant change to the approved plan necessitating a new conditional use. The petitioner's approved request for the dispensary only noted signage above the front entrance consisting of block lettering reading clutch cannabis measuring 24 square feet in area. However, the newly submitted signage plans also include the same size signage on the east side of the building. Additionally, the rear elevation will contain a 17 and 3 quarter square feet wall sign reading clutch cannabis entrance below a logo. There is also a request for a 24 feet in height, 32 square feet pole sign. The sign will read Clutch Cannabis below a logo and will be centered within the existing circular landscape bed at the corner of Frank Boulevard and Market Street. One objective of the land use and development guide plan is to promote good design standards for signage. In addition, objectives of the amended Wallhaven redevelopment area plan include promoting development standards to improve the appearance of the area along with upgrading conditions of the streetscape of West Market Street. Planning staff believes that the 65 and 3 quarter square feet of proposed wall signage is necessary and will provide sufficient visibility for the corner lot business. However, the planning staff acknowledges that a pole sign was at this intersection when the corner lot contained a bank. That building was razed 10 years ago, and the only part of the sign remaining is the pole. The stretch of West Market Street from the road tracks west to Waldorf Drive currently contains nine pole signs. Two additional pole signs on the west side of Frank Boulevard identify the neighboring businesses to the south. Planning staff believes the 11 pole signs within this quarter mile stretch of West Market Street are excessive and visually blighting. Adding another pole sign to the Walhaven area is not harmonious with the objectives of either the Development Guide Plan or the Walhaven Redevelopment Plan. Planning staff has recommended disapproval while the Planning Commission recommended approval. Thank you.

Thank you so much. At this time, we will open up our public hearing. Those who wish to speak in favor or against, we're going to ask that you please stand. I know Mr. Sealy is online with us, so if you can just unmute yourself so that you can be sworn in by our clerk.

Could you please raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you give will be the truth? If so, please say, I do. I do. Thank you.

All right. Thank you. And Mr. Nish, we'll start with you.

Peter Nish, 1951 Wiltshire Road, Akron, Ohio, 44313. I have my usual stack of papers here. If anybody didn't get one this afternoon, I can pass another round out if you'd like, if you're interested. And I will keep this brief. So we're here because we are, as you heard, requesting additional signage, including a pole sign at 1960 West Market Street for the dispensary project we're working on. The first couple pages in this are just screenshots of the proposed signage. The first page here shows the rear of the building where Clutch Cannabis entrance is located. That sign, the entrance is into the building through the back. The front of the building on West Market Street is not an entrance. It's similarly laid out to its previous iteration, which was a floor shop. We also have some signage on the side of the building on the next side. And on the slide after that, you can see the pole sign. The image on the left depicts the pole sign, and the image on the right depicts kind of where it is if you look. There was a bank at this lot, this corner lot, I don't know, 10 or 15 years ago, and there is still a circular retaining wall made out of stone there where the pole is sticking up. That's exactly where this would go. So we're going to replace this pole with a new pole sign. Why do we need a pole sign here? We've talked before, dispensaries have trouble advertising in Ohio. Our advertising regulations are pretty restrictive. We have experimented with different ways to kind of get the word out. You know, we've done some direct mail. We've done digital campaigns. We've got an email blast system set up. But ultimately what we found in similar markets and the closest one to us in Akron is in Northfield, is that wayfinding signage, especially pole signs where pole signs are commonly used, really do have an impact on the business. The easiest example I can give is Northfield because we had again modest business, modest expectations for the number of transactions that we were going to see and our sign was delayed getting fabricated and installed at that location. We didn't really see the business pick back up and meet our expectations until that sign went up. Once it did, everything has kind of leveled out and is right about where we would have expected it to be. Without it, we think that we're going to underperform our expectations. The previous conditional use permit site plan required us to install some landscaping. as well as redo the parking lots and curbs and that sort of thing. That stuff is underway now. But we think that even with the addition of the signage on the building, ultimately it's going to be blocked by some of the landscaping and by the other pole signs that are in the neighborhood. We are shooting for and committed to a communication strategy that is harmonious and aligned with the way businesses communicate to customers in those neighborhoods. In this neighborhood particularly, we would be the only business without a pull sign. Every other business in every direction has one. As you heard, and I have a map on the next slide, But ultimately, it's how people are gaining awareness that we're there. We have discussed previously that roughly 50% to 55% of the transactions that we expect to have on a daily basis are going to be through online preorders. That is a significant amount, but the other 45% to 50% are walk-ins, and so that's why this pull sign is really important to us. The other thing I wanted to mention is now that Larry's main entrance is no longer a public business, it's a private facility, they bumped a patio out onto the sidewalk and removed the pole sign that was there. So the pole sign that we would be installing would bring us back up to, you know, it wouldn't be a net increase if you look back a year ago. There would be the same amount of pole signs going forward as there were about a year ago. i have on the next slide a list of some of the businesses in nearby that have these signs and i also have a map on the final slide here the only thing i'd note is that there's a star in front of our building that's the old larry's location the larry sign if you look on google maps you'll see it but it's not actually there ours would be on the corner as it's depicted in the site plan and other than that i'm happy to answer any questions that you all may have about this thank you so much thank you mr seeley yes

can begin okay um i just wanted to speak up in favor of um clutch cannabis being able to put up the uh whole sign i watched the committee meeting earlier and it frustrated me a little bit that you guys didn't want to approve the poll sign um and i think that we're picking on a business just because of the type of business it is um My thing of it is, it is a company that is going to generate revenue. It's going to bring in tax money for our city. In a time that our city is struggling to retain businesses and bring new businesses to our city, I think we need to rethink things a little bit and focus on trying to figure out what we can do to help businesses. So I speak in favor of the poll sign and any other signage that would be required for this business. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Seeing and hearing no others who wish to testify, we will close our public hearing. Councilman Kamer, what is the committee's pleasure?

Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to pull the committee for time. Bolden. Aye. Boys.

Aye.

Hannah. Aye. And Connor.

Aye.

Thank you.

Thank you so much. So time will be granted. And that concludes all items coming before us. So this time we can get a motion for adjournment.

So moved.

Thank you. If there are no objections, meeting adjourned.

Council will meet in regular session at 630. Thank you.