[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6062170,"mediaKeyId","3280176-9376e0db1314c3eef78d2d0bfc58bdca","parentId",3280176,"title","Public service committee outlines 2025 traffic-calming plan: more solar speed signs, speed tables and raised crosswalk pilots","audioSeconds",59,"startMs",2822000,"endMs",2881000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280176-9376e0db1314c3eef78d2d0bfc58bdca&start=2822&end=2881","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280176-9376e0db1314c3eef78d2d0bfc58bdca/thumbnail_2822000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6062170/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Public-service-committee-outlines-2025-traffic-calming-plan-more-solar-speed-signs-speed-tables-and-raised-crosswalk-pilots","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062170-6cc951b1762daeecf563c48396b81e17/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163404&Signature=f1ZbRpphTsYm4V5-dbct00gTUny6ZNOFqULqn2UTMt3e7L9b9j3HKioJcoJpxm4hA3UjoS8aiHZXz7iaYwyVsOnpmvGqMrSi6iLUoKDnGfS1Fmgpnk8JfJn06HCsNVu3qzHRHZKdHGOpuDmQZY9PfWK-GnI7pMrOuXRX-an~TYJqtUMeB~wFVWy-f7F-cpNrAusBgzsFMoEH2RQy2-BmHaHSitB-CjX5DsBGOoGIwwNdMOOGvAp6xexhMrDzR1yWSbSdm~KY4fHDVcZAzQOXGEGauXIUEfTEA4ZlQr2R~c4F-jPUPFyzHsvUXxIS5sOBIu8WTRzuoKmVIvBnAHvVdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Akron, OH ","date","2025-05-13T06:40:51Z","article","The public service committee reviewed a multi-part traffic-calming initiative for 2025 that expands enforcement and physical interventions citywide, with staff aiming to move purchases and installations forward this construction season.

Service Director Chris Leto said the city currently operates about 40 solar speed signs and plans to buy 20 more so each of the city’s 10 wards can host at least two signs. The signs are solar-powered, can be set in “stealth” mode to collect data without display, and — when turned on — typically produce an immediate reduction in observed speeds, Leto said. Councilmembers asked about data granularity and sharing with police; Leto said the signs collect timestamped speed data and that the city pays a service fee for data access.

Leto described traffic-calming pilots for 2025 that include: leaving a small number of temporary rubberized/composite speed tables in place through winter so crews can assess durability and plowing impacts; installing four to seven permanent asphalt speed tables as pilots in the city (the existing permanent table is on Maple Street by the fire station); and testing raised crosswalks (one at Patterson Park Community Center has been installed and additional concrete or asphalt raised crossings are under consideration). He also described restriping narrow streets with an edge line to reduce unsafe passing and a program to reclassify some streets that shift between 25 and 35 mph to restore 25 mph limits where appropriate.

Leto said the traffic-calming work is funded in part from carryover resurfacing and the 2025 resurfacing budget; the committee approved suspension of rules to allow faster procurement and implementation. Councilmembers asked that data from the signs be made available to public safety so enforcement could be targeted during times of heaviest speeding, and that signage and striping around speed tables be clear to avoid vehicle damage.

Committee members generally praised the expanded program and asked staff to coordinate with each councilmember on ward priorities for placement of signs, speed-table candidates and raised-crosswalk locations. The committee approved a motion to suspend rules and provide a favorable report so staff can proceed with purchases and pilots this construction season.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Akron Council Committee Meetings - 05.12.25","oneSentenceSummary","Akron’s public service committee approved moving forward with a 2025 traffic-calming package that adds 20 solar speed signs, pilots temporary and permanent speed tables, and expands raised crosswalk trials and striping efforts.","taxTitle","Akron, Summit County, Ohio","taxId",2666,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062175,"Planning committee reviews 14,000-square-foot day-care center proposal on Diagonal Road",1396,1092000,2488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280176-9376e0db1314c3eef78d2d0bfc58bdca&start=1092&end=2488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280176-9376e0db1314c3eef78d2d0bfc58bdca/thumbnail_1092000.jpg","/articles/6062175/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Planning-committee-reviews-14000-square-foot-day-care-center-proposal-on-Diagonal-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062175-d2e9ef3dd7f2f8a373cd5ea4bc5315d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163404&Signature=UaqrKE5Fr0zp5G0cnIHQkFv~S-YjYHy8Lhpbrjp~gGXAHgIH3TZUed9rU4KH12FpOBZvUe7-Dl5v--h45Cd7T3VcX5PtqAhlRFTfbh8kXL0asclCSgGh2aH0kAYDGfmUNKBJrU-lgDttL62cE10wDuiXpVi6ddiGFonpo2NstA6dRxsWbvvjCWYcKfqUFPAOEAfdzq1alAIANEUti8sMV6XlaBr9T9pNkUyyVoDgjrpWy~Efu7YzCxnMEc3PpePwgpZwY1X2oIxZYv6XwmcwbfiXoYToRRt8wiEhDRHqcdf4F8lSxEehuh2wfovHnMTDQqOA3fEvN-SBMQpvEsu09A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wonderworld Child Development Center asked the planning committee for conditional-use approval to establish a one-story, L-shaped child day-care business center at 698 Diagonal Road. Planning staff said the proposed building would be about 14,000 square feet and contain eight classrooms, a kitchen and pantry, a library/multipurpose room, office space and accessory uses; staff estimated the facility would serve about 74 children from infants to school-age and operate Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Planner Antonucci said the proposal includes a fenced infant playground and an open playground for older children, a 10-space parking area east of the building and overflow parking on adjoining church property under a collaborative arrangement with Akron Alliance Fellowship Church. He said the petitioner has operated in the neighborhood for about 15 years and that the new building would consolidate the current locations.

Bridget Tipton, the project architect, said she represented the client and could answer questions about design. She confirmed the applicant’s intent to consolidate operations and said the room layouts were sized to meet state licensing requirements for children per room. President Somerville and other council members spoke in support of the project’s childcare and early-education programming; Somerville asked about renderings and the architect said exterior renderings would be available for the 5:00 p.m. meeting.

Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval subject to conditions. The committee closed the public hearing after the petitioner’s representative testified. Council members requested exterior renderings be provided for the evening session and asked staff to confirm the licensing capacity with state requirements; staff said the building’s square footage and room dimensions were calibrated to the projected licensing numbers.

No formal vote on the conditional use was taken in the committee at this hearing; the item is scheduled for a committee recommendation to full council at 5:00 p.m.","Wonderworld Child Development Center sought to consolidate two locations into a new 14,000-square-foot facility at 698 Diagonal Road that would serve up to about 74 children; planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval subject to conditions and asked the architect to provide exterior renderings to the evening session.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062180,"Committee reviews conditional use for three two-family homes on Excelsior Avenue",79,1509000,1588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280176-9376e0db1314c3eef78d2d0bfc58bdca&start=1509&end=1588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280176-9376e0db1314c3eef78d2d0bfc58bdca/thumbnail_1509000.jpg","/articles/6062180/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Committee-reviews-conditional-use-for-three-two-family-homes-on-Excelsior-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062180-b3400625c970ac2665616d87196761ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163404&Signature=CnLoh-QGDkcJrlC9MpfIRDFJmOd7J3nOdBevhMrX5zmZtBCh2-yy5POtyLAZ94Coh~mkXlyqtvkcK3hzeyv1MnCUQXqj055APFddXxHcih82tD3ymbXCjODQZWEiLz6ZVc71evqQTevqtFHcPS8kHJfNtd0HhTVgA6L4BLzsOGSLZLW-lSIlmZr04e4S~-ad3ckC68JOCRL-P7ySdMs7n6ilplJQRxHFsCDv~lbVcOek0gXIQJ8pG6murMzDMFrHaSMpwpwccxvJNeXnK08LnhpWwzWWPeiy1gv~5hxSAsrjda3d3~mAh2GsIpex8TeDBek7WmIPDRDXkIdiKx9LHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Middlebury Housing LLC requested conditional-use approval to build three new two-family dwellings at 733, 737 and 745 Excelsior Avenue, a proposal planning staff said would infill vacant lots and provide “missing middle” housing in the Roselawn-Excelsior neighborhood.

Planning staff described each proposed lot as about 5,378 square feet with 45 feet of street frontage. The proposed dwellings would be two to two-and-a-half stories, each with a first-floor and an upper-floor unit, clad in horizontal vinyl siding with accent board-and-batten. Planning staff noted that 23 of the 74 residential buildings in the surrounding eight-block area are two-family or multifamily structures (about 31 percent), and that similar two-family dwellings already exist nearby. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval subject to conditions.

Daniel D’Angelo of the planning department said at least one of the lots previously contained a two-family house and another may have held a three-family building; he said he would provide precise historical parcel information on request. Councilmember Sharon Connor praised Middlebury Housing’s work in renovating housing in the neighborhood and said the organization had “transformed probably close to a hundred homes over the past few years.”

Councilmember Julian (representing another speaker) relayed comments from Zach Cole, executive director of a neighborhood organization, who intended to attend the evening session; Julian said Cole had buyers lined up for the units and emphasized that duplexes can help make homeownership more affordable because rental income from one unit can assist mortgage underwriting. Planning staff explained that administrative approval could be used for minor changes to placement on a lot but that anything that “changed the function of the house” would require return to committee.

The public hearing was opened and closed with no public testimony. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval subject to conditions; no final committee vote was taken at this meeting and the matter will return for a committee recommendation to full council at the 5:00 p.m. session.

Clarifying details included lot sizes (about 5,378 sq ft per lot), existing local housing mix (23 of 74 buildings as two-family or multifamily in the eight-block area), and transit access (a three-minute walk to RTA bus lines 6 and 19), which staff said supported the project’s objectives to provide affordable and transit-accessible housing.","Middlebury Housing LLC sought conditional-use approval to build three new two-family dwellings on vacant lots on Excelsior Avenue; planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval subject to conditions and council members emphasized precedent and neighborhood compatibility.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062185,"Council committee hears two conditional-use requests for billboards at 800 Flora Avenue",110,687000,797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280176-9376e0db1314c3eef78d2d0bfc58bdca&start=687&end=797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280176-9376e0db1314c3eef78d2d0bfc58bdca/thumbnail_687000.jpg","/articles/6062185/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-committee-hears-two-conditional-use-requests-for-billboards-at-800-Flora-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062185-613527c58be723deee39892228e26531/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163404&Signature=aMc7c9k9RWhP80mYlO-7tX6JU7JRTsiA0CZ8-nO~2qKEKOxm85k3x~oG5aJn~TeMtOiCYeFnxeBhAdjKoLjapJ57EsNThrFS~tl-KZUK8X42Gy65JB9cb4l5Ia9E22WEjkgmNcWb2O4UrJ-rByZDkTYrUEtGySd~hNi883JMCTCbp42pEwtLgtl2RvC726ln7XKRMelMj~q~gtk-iOAJs2bc4HeKivxrNFgdhw2Wj9UBvY8D-fo6nDGRxqRtOCSCE1tJ2ar7dY1~g5O8brguWnlGt02-45FYVu1YegEB8hPxvKPx8PSmTR3khn82aHcUOUkrekOoDT~7urqSU8EpDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kenjo Outdoor asked an Akron City Council planning committee on conditional-use permits to place two double-sided, V-shaped outdoor advertising displays at 800 Flora Avenue, one with digital panels and one externally illuminated, and both reaching an overall height of 65 feet above ground.

The requests were introduced by planning staff. Planning consultant/agent Antonucci said the digital faces would measure 48 feet by 14 feet (672 square feet per face), sit on a 48-inch-diameter steel monopole with a base elevation roughly 10–12 feet above the interstate surface, and would be oriented toward the highway. Antonucci said a lighting study had been submitted and “it is expected that the digital display would comply with national lighting requirements.” He added that the proposal meets most zoning development standards and that both planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval subject to conditions.

At the public hearing, Dan Nielsen, identified as Kenjo Outdoor’s representative, testified in favor. “We bought this property. It was vacant currently. We bought it. We paid the back taxes,” Nielsen said, describing the site as long and parallel to the highway and noting the company already operates several signs in the city and advertises local businesses. Nielsen said the petitioner is working with the state to adjust exact placement of the two displays to satisfy Ohio Department of Transportation spacing rules.

Council members asked specific questions about impacts on nearby houses. Councilwoman Tina Boyse asked whether trees or other measures would help reduce light for residences on Eleventh Street. Antonucci pointed committee members to the lighting study and said at a distance of about 500 feet measured from the sign the predicted illumination was roughly 0.02 foot-candles, which he compared to a typical household 100-watt garage light. He also said the static panel had been moved to increase separation from a nearby house and that state spacing rules constrain where digital signs may be located.

Antonucci and Nielsen both cited state spacing rules in their answers: they noted a minimum 500-foot separation from ramps per Ohio Department of Transportation standards and a separate 1,000-foot spacing requirement for digital structures under state law; Antonucci said the city’s code sets a 660-foot separation from the edge of the primary highway for advertising displays but that conditional-use approvals have established precedents for locating billboards closer in some cases. Planning staff emphasized that final placement would need state approval when permits are finalized.

The committee opened and closed the public hearing for both requests after Mr. Nielsen’s testimony. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval of both conditional uses subject to conditions; no formal council decision was taken at this meeting, and the committee will make a recommendation to full council at the 5:00 p.m. session.

Questions from residents or additional testimony were not offered during the committee’s hearing, and committee members requested copies of the lighting study for public review.

Details captured in the planning report and committee discussion include the panels’ dimensions (48 ft × 14 ft; 672 sq ft face), monopole diameter (48 in), overall height (65 ft), predicted illumination at ~500 ft (0.02 foot-candles per the lighting study excerpt), and the petitioner’s reliance on Ohio Department of Transportation spacing rules.","Kenjo Outdoor requested conditional-use permits for one digital and one static double-sided billboard at 800 Flora Avenue; planning staff and commission recommended approval subject to conditions while council members pressed planners on lighting, spacing and proximity to nearby houses and the interstate.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6062166,"Fire department awarded FEMA grant to buy carbon-monoxide detectors for residents",116,5640000,5756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280176-9376e0db1314c3eef78d2d0bfc58bdca&start=5640&end=5756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280176-9376e0db1314c3eef78d2d0bfc58bdca/thumbnail_5640000.jpg","/articles/6062166/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Fire-department-awarded-FEMA-grant-to-buy-carbon-monoxide-detectors-for-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6062166-8409c3f128149a606af115e83a2f23a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163404&Signature=Twwi4MS-ozKioF7u7QxhZQQSH04xVuvXarR7tL5UgVyLzX87WnboitCS~LcFIbnnO7dd5s6racAF0oCQjj7AIu-TD~jRyf~7iouaAj8yh1u3CutgWfRhRLPoToVOr9YnKSOmdvnOOCrTCzbRdTSBeaQEaumPSlEJQFpW3BdsOOKOOT~Y3JQ4pX~X5emGMalti6YWxA8cmX1qPdeV1PM1cFmge5yihSWtsACsv0TDrj7CR0iEfQxkaeX2DHgOofB8OM686UktEgB8kxkJ9f0r894jx502ovbiMZ0FH7V3TIpETcrvHJLx9VJQzAU34SmPVN2m19N6~U3ftUKp-lWk4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Akron fire officials told a public safety committee they had been awarded about $59,000 from a FEMA Fire Protection and Safety grant to purchase carbon-monoxide alarms for distribution to residents, and the committee voted to suspend rules to allow procurement to proceed.

Chief Lash and Captain Pazernick said the department averages about 100 to 150 carbon-monoxide related calls annually and that Akron experienced carbon-monoxide fatalities in 2022. With city funds the department previously purchased about 100 alarms; the FEMA grant will allow substantially wider distribution.

Chief Lash and Captain Pazernick said they will solicit competitive bids; at an estimated unit price of roughly $33 per alarm in prior purchases, $59,000 would allow for just under 1,800 units, though pricing will depend on the awarded bid. Officials said distribution will be prioritized through community outreach, ward meetings, social media and calls to residents; firefighters responding to incidents will also identify households in need. Housing managers for rental properties remain responsible for safety devices in rental units, department officials said.

Committee members asked about trends and distribution; officials said calls tend to increase in winter when gas heating systems run and that staff would track demographic indicators for distribution but would make alarms available to all resident households that request them. The committee voted to suspend rules and give a favorable report so staff can move forward with procurement and distribution this fiscal year; officials said they expect to purchase at least half of the grant-funded units in the current fiscal year and the remainder in the next year as needed.

The grant acceptance and procurement will be subject to bid results and any required city contracting processes.","Akron fire officials said an August 2024 FEMA Fire Protection and Safety grant awarded roughly $59,000 will let the city buy about 1,700–1,800 carbon-monoxide (CO) detectors to distribute to residents; committee voted to suspend rules so purchases can proceed this fiscal year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public service committee outlines 2025 traffic-calming plan: more solar speed signs, speed tables and raised crosswalk pilots

Planning committee reviews 14,000-square-foot day-care center proposal on Diagonal Road

Committee reviews conditional use for three two-family homes on Excelsior Avenue

Council committee hears two conditional-use requests for billboards at 800 Flora Avenue

Fire department awarded FEMA grant to buy carbon-monoxide detectors for residents