The commission makes decisions regarding conditional use requests, rezoning, allotments, street vacations, dedications, sale of city land, and urban renewal issues.

The Akron Planning Commission’s five commissioners are appointed by the mayor. The commission comprises Bronlynn Thurman, Michael Freeman, Renee Greene, Ronald Owen, Gary Wyatt & Stephanie York.

See today’s Planning Commission agenda here: cms2.revize.com/revize/akronoh…

The meeting began at 9:05 a.m. with all commissioners present. About 10 residents were also in attendance. The first item (PC-2024-64-CIP) was the 35-page 2025 Capital Investment Program, which Planning Director Kyle Julien explained has been presented at ward meetings. (1/4)

The detailed program would improve parks, streets/sidewalks and public facilities, and fund economic development projects, water/sewer upgrades and previously financed capital projects. (2/4)

The proposed program would encompass a $365 million investment, funded via local, state and federal funds (including American Rescue Plan Act), and regional and private sources. (3/4)

The commission unanimously approved the program, which Julien said will be provided to Akron City Council in January for final approval. (4/4)

The next item (PC-2024-66-DEV) was the Glendale Avenue Redevelopment Plan. Under the plan, a change in zoning in the redevelopment area would boost the city’s ability to attract jobs and businesses. (1/3)

There are 2 parcels in the redevelopment area, each with a vacant building, with one city owned and the other privately owned. (2/3)

The redevelopment plan aims to use tax increment financing to attract businesses and create jobs to the area, helping ease the city's shortage of developable land. The commission approved the zoning change unanimously. (3/3)

The next item (PC-2024-61-CU) was a petition for a conditional use to establish a Type A daycare at 1075 Lane St., where the petitioner already operates a Type B daycare. The center would operate 24 hrs. and, with the Type A designation, accommodate up to 12 children. (1/2)

The change from Type B to Type A would give the petitioner, a credentialed child development associate, greater flexibility in the center’s offerings. The petitioner was not available for questions. The commission approved the request. (2/2)

A petition (PC-2024-62-CU) by James Ahlstrom rwas a request for conditional use to operate a tire sales and repair shop at 1475 Massillon Road. (1/3)

Planning Dept. staffer Michael Myers told the commission the planning staff believes the lot and buildings will allow for interior auto repair work and proper storage of tires. (2/3)

Ahlstrom addressed the commission thanking the city planning staff for walking him through the approval and permitting process, which he said when compared to other cities was “seamless.” The commission unanimously approved the request. (3/3)

The next item (PC-2024-65-CU) was a request by Petitioner Josephine White for a conditional use to establish another Type A daycare at 934 Reed Ave. (1/4)

White, also a credentialed child development associate, told commissioners she is a Type B provider and the move to Type A to double the number of children she can serve, allowing allow her to hire two assistants. (2/4)

Speaking in favor of White’s request was James Ahlstrom, who had just presented the proposed tire shop on Massillon Road. Calling it a coincidence, Ahlstrom said he happens to own the building next door to White’s Reed Avenue daycare. (3/4)

He told the commission he asked his tenants about the operation of the daycare and they said they had no concerns about it. The commission approved the conditional use request unanimously. (4/4)

Akron Planning Commission then ran through several zoning renewals without hearing from petitioners. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.

This concludes coverage of the commission’s final meeting of 2024. Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any questions on the meeting or these tweets to @signalakron. Or email us at documenters@signalakron.org.

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