[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6173009,"mediaKeyId","5383573-af961236d4c152cb8e0a0e85f5fcf59c","parentId",5383573,"title","Council splits on vape-shop requests: Copley Road store approved, East Tallmadge request denied","audioSeconds",1103,"startMs",2906000,"endMs",4009000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383573-af961236d4c152cb8e0a0e85f5fcf59c&start=2906&end=4009","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383573-af961236d4c152cb8e0a0e85f5fcf59c/thumbnail_2906000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6173009/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-splits-on-vape-shop-requests-Copley-Road-store-approved-East-Tallmadge-request-denied","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173009-571d434178ce9b912b173ea80331add7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453203&Signature=HIvBJJZGt5dvFSgzV6fCGFjGhZe8gAMk7NAOdOT3nAdrKD~Cty-G2E7~ZW3MrSFhKobBPSMAeMvqc-zkP7RpS41hyeJBJJOA46~-D1GZs3-n20hK-idSoXkxDh49GYAh4oi6yqPCKACBK7mC228C4jBTzs-WfhfeTz0IRb-gVtjQe~SAWexFPcrz1YD1ivldsqKqUpYJ4Jak74B5XyWtW3AdULGdhefWwfuovWATV6HRLFl6z2eZ3kT3Zm1N-uGR32jeY~fqsKvLiTJr7WLxvt-fCeFx0ba0fqRTQQiBBiVhWdHTeRHXqPFyknwmdA9HO-fxPZ0uMwL8u9p4pEdVpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Akron, OH ","date","2025-07-14T23:25:32.687Z","article","Akron City Council on July 14 took divergent actions on two conditional-use requests to operate vape shops in the city, approving one on Copley Road and denying another on East Tallmadge Avenue after public testimony and discussion about public health and neighborhood impacts.

For 1328 Copley Road, planning staff reported concerns that vape shops can be intrusive to nearby budding residential areas and that the use could encourage unhealthy activities; nevertheless the petitioner, Chloe Britton, who said she plans to operate a smoke-and-vape retail shop (not a marijuana dispensary) and is an incoming law student at the University of Akron School of Law, described business operations, local hiring of four employees and community fundraising work. Planning staff and the planning commission had recommended disapproval of the conditional use. Council members, after committee consideration and debate, recorded the ordinance as passing 11-1.

During the Copley Road hearing a resident, Reverend Pamela M. Pinkney, testified in opposition and detailed concerns including secondhand smoke exposure, public-health effects and links she perceives between such retail outlets and crime and addiction. Council member Jan Davis spoke in favor of the Copley Road proposal, framing the matter in terms of equity and minority ownership and saying the petitioners had agreed to reinvest in the neighborhood.

On the East Tallmadge Avenue request (1252 E. Tallmadge Ave.), planning staff described the site as within a retail district where clustering of vape stores was a concern and noted a regulatory requirement that vape shops be located more than 2,500 feet from an existing vape shop; staff identified a nearby shop at 1089 E. Tallmadge Ave. that makes the proposed location noncompliant with that spacing standard. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended disapproval on that basis and because of potential negative effects on adjacent residential areas.

Council considered the East Tallmadge petition and the planning committee ultimately voted for an adverse report (a recommendation against the conditional use). Multiple council members cited the 2,500-foot spacing and a lack of clarity around business plans as reasons to deny the request; the committee's adverse report carried, and the transcript records that the ordinance will be filed accordingly.

The transcript shows impassioned public comment on both items. Opponents argued that vape shops and dispensaries bring health harms and addiction into neighborhoods and can increase crime; proponents emphasized legal compliance, job creation (four employees at the Copley store), sales-tax revenue and philanthropic activity such as fundraising for seniors and safety classes.

The council's recorded votes: the ordinance for 1328 Copley Road passed 11 to 1; the 1252 East Tallmadge Avenue petition received an adverse report and was not approved. Planning staff and the planning commission recommendations and the council's split decisions reflect ongoing municipal review and a pending broader review of vape-shop regulation described by council members during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Akron Council Public Hearings - 07.14.2025","oneSentenceSummary","After heated public comment, Akron's council approved a conditional use for a vape shop at 1328 Copley Road (11-1) and issued an adverse report blocking a separate request at 1252 East Tallmadge Avenue; planning staff and commission had raised concerns about clustering and community impacts and recommended disapproval in at least one case.","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},6173013,"Council clears conditional use for 5,000-square-foot commercial building at 1518 Copley Road",396,2477000,2873000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383573-af961236d4c152cb8e0a0e85f5fcf59c&start=2477&end=2873","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383573-af961236d4c152cb8e0a0e85f5fcf59c/thumbnail_2477000.jpg","/articles/6173013/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-clears-conditional-use-for-5000-square-foot-commercial-building-at-1518-Copley-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173013-97a79b8a6b7756884fd511d82d80b230/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453203&Signature=dJAi-PGAoVXuld2qMGXfkDIVmpI2ysXgUNSi9mCjpgnYhOcHF7X9paNqB61IUv1uAY5n2I4brOy4-duyTRHqouciOXatwSL5yYy32cNFaJk5Aj2qLT~bPrdtPy~YlNkMaCa0aI2eVkxEOv2u8PXeXxb3Fd7jXY~nd2ZsTkxnC~3zbPc2vRkhizOnwrTALAF1ycg7CCRZ~6Ay6TcbCVOTtB~VOFEXAk0gZ2fYcBDafCyHVpbKOr3TRh2O4ozOevjgdrb-OABx2KOuIDL--J-Zbc4uZivpxw2eKcpLjW~Jbp-qv7bY58sxKqGChqiBXAp2XTnINqZQALuyHLlttnIyuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Akron City Council granted conditional-use approval July 14 for LaGuardia Copley LLC to construct a 5,000-square-foot commercial building at 1518 Copley Road, a project intended to consolidate Repros' operations on a single site and allow the business to expand and hire locally.

Planning staff reported that LaGuardia Copley LLC proposes to purchase portions of three city-owned parcels surrounding the existing property and place a 50-by-100-foot structure behind the existing building. The proposed building would measure 25 feet in height with a hip-style metal roof and white vertical siding; access would use existing driveways on Copley Road and a service drive to the west. Planning staff said the building would be more than 250 feet from any residence and that the vacant land is not currently in city use.

Owner Lou LaGuardia testified that the company has worked with the city and sees the new building as a step toward hiring more employees from the area and consolidating its operations in Akron. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval subject to standard conditions, and the council recorded the ordinance as passing 12-0.

Council members urged compliance with zoning conditions and welcomed the business expansion as part of ongoing neighborhood revitalization efforts along the Copley Road corridor.","LaGuardia Copley LLC received conditional-use approval to build a 5,000-square-foot commercial building at 1518 Copley Road after the planning commission and council supported the project to consolidate and expand Repros' operations in Akron; the ordinance was recorded as passing unanimously.",{"_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},6173018,"Council approves conditional use for 50-foot high-rise sign at 61 South Seiberling Street",241,2209000,2450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383573-af961236d4c152cb8e0a0e85f5fcf59c&start=2209&end=2450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383573-af961236d4c152cb8e0a0e85f5fcf59c/thumbnail_2209000.jpg","/articles/6173018/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Council-approves-conditional-use-for-50-foot-high-rise-sign-at-61-South-Seiberling-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173018-b8cf51ccd261b7dde6679ef42a1f68f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453203&Signature=CLC6utqfjVtsGS4vxFORCmO-GD73jv0JVCMuc~0eM7va8X9wrQn6CASyyGRGUh3na6PKBXjpmcmit9l-OsrB4HLp~UJLCcpuvrNo9~SMaWdX6NAJ28QdwLcriF051GO9zJ0pt2-~G4vq4S0CekKU1qCri~GI4n1iRdS8mU2Wqa9FYJ9yBLBlOKRexS5SZTfDkMGQjFF64gVkH6jA62Gi2wfW4A4EbAwqSUC-P~cfaKxfOplMwGGai3Utoi~VLpNwkrKehABGhz2oBj5aTLmI3FGh-QkJ6WGpToCm7mSWoTTfSI4~K3~NP2D2KNphIeNM34EKBNamTKiYM0BHObSy9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Akron City Council approved a conditional use July 14 to install a high-rise sign at 61 South Seiberling Street to increase visibility for a plumbing business, passing the ordinance 12-0.

Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval subject to conditions. Mike Antonucci, a city planning staff member, said the petitioner proposes a 10-by-10-foot steel lattice tower 50 feet in height anchored to the ground and secured to the building by two support arms, to be placed along the building's north face about 35 feet from the east end. The proposal includes up to 300 square feet of signage, which Antonucci said would adhere to the zoning code's maximum total wall and pole signage allowances.

Nathan Ravis, who gave his address as 61 South Seiberling Street, testified that the larger sign would help the company be seen from the nearby highway and support business growth in Akron.

The planning committee member who brought the item forward described the petitioner's testimony as strong and said the change would help the business expand. The council recorded the final ordinance as passing 12-0.

The transcript notes the planning staff's view that the sign would not interfere with nearby buildings and should not negatively affect the surrounding area; planning staff recommended approval subject to any standard conditions tied to structural anchoring and compliance with zoning requirements.","Akron council granted conditional-use approval for a 50-foot steel lattice high-rise sign and 300 square feet of signage for J and J Plumbing at 61 South Seiberling Street, following a favorable planning report and a 12-0 council vote.",{"_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},6173023,"Akron holds public hearing on 2025–2029 consolidated plan and $8.2 million 2025 HUD action plan",685,1171000,1856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383573-af961236d4c152cb8e0a0e85f5fcf59c&start=1171&end=1856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383573-af961236d4c152cb8e0a0e85f5fcf59c/thumbnail_1171000.jpg","/articles/6173023/Akron/Summit-County/Ohio/Akron-holds-public-hearing-on-20252029-consolidated-plan-and-82-million-2025-HUD-action-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173023-e45a674b1c43c7fcfabda333301febb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775453203&Signature=eDjqVVx3k5hFRU8Nz4KpU3kF3oz4sXwWnb9JkuxDWvFkVN-sKO0bkXBroNMVkkAGbj6fDloukYXKyV0mbz-7Gom-WfjELJdptbh3e5~q5YLlBGBaAddN-lyD57-HzvxJwN-HlIw0s2Kev6PJr-kFnD0vNX6l6aG1mZLCdFfS0JU9MVz8ubZVXxmjm4LlR-bpSdGWjaodX8LPDoxvaY6NkbWQv94DT6gQSKMaLBMMgy~mSNZObOLjSJRpim3WO4AD4s6unPhIIND8wG71z4frNJ6dznVpM23ey9zwlLk0QwCZMVExYQuqS7WgXdsxwBE8AvdQe8GkDCq-jFRZcPCrFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Akron City Council opened a public hearing July 14 on an ordinance to approve the city's 2025\u00122029 consolidated strategy and the 2025 Annual Action Plan, which together set the city's funding priorities for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) dollars administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Helen Tomic, a city staff presenter, said the 2025 budget in the plan totals about $8.2 million.

The plan allocates approximately $5,800,000 in CDBG funds (a 0.3% decrease from 2024), about $1,500,000 in HOME funds (a 0.8% increase from 2024) and roughly $514,000 for ESG (a 2.6% decrease from 2024), plus an estimated $412,000 in program income, Tomic told the council. The plan recommends continuing the housing rehabilitation program, matching dollars for the LEHI program, funding new housing development, supporting community development corporations and continuing the Great Streets and minor home repair programs.

The consolidated plan includes a narrative describing housing conditions for low-income families, people experiencing homelessness and other special-needs populations and is the city's application to HUD for the 2025 funds, Tomic said.

Rochelle Sibio, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, told the council Habitat has used CDBG and HOME funds to make critical home repairs and to subsidize affordable homeownership. \"We've used somewhere around $1,800,000 of HOME money to partner with families who are 30% to 80% of AMI,\" Sibio said, and described 16 homes under construction in North Hill that carry HOME subsidy contracts.

A resident who identified herself as the founder of a group called Mothers Lives Matter testified that she currently lives in an apartment she says is contaminated with mold and described ongoing health problems and difficulty obtaining repairs and medical care after moving from a shelter. She asked council members to examine who benefits from the funding and to ensure the programs serve people leaving homelessness, victims of domestic violence and others with urgent housing needs. She did not give a full name for the record; her remarks were entered in the hearing record as public comment.

Thomas Statham, a former city planning director who said he helped craft earlier consolidated-plan documents, urged the council to consider administrative capacity when awarding grants to nonprofit partners and to include program-administration funding so smaller organizations can sustain operations.

The hearing record shows public testimony in support of continuing existing programs and concern from residents about service gaps and housing conditions. The transcript of the meeting records the hearing and the testimony but does not show a final council vote on the ordinance during the portion transcribed.

Council members framed the hearing as part of the HUD application and thanked witnesses for their testimony. The hearing record includes a notice that the hearing was advertised in the Akron Beacon Journal on June 28 and on the city council website beginning June 25.

The consolidated plan will return to council for any required legislative action after staff completes any revisions or next-step recommendations, according to the hearing procedure.","City council opened a public hearing on an ordinance to approve Akron's HUD consolidated plan and the 2025 annual action plan, outlining roughly $8.2 million in federal and program income allocations and eliciting testimony from affordable-housing providers and residents about service capacity and unmet needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council splits on vape-shop requests: Copley Road store approved, East Tallmadge request denied

Council clears conditional use for 5,000-square-foot commercial building at 1518 Copley Road

Council approves conditional use for 50-foot high-rise sign at 61 South Seiberling Street

Akron holds public hearing on 2025–2029 consolidated plan and $8.2 million 2025 HUD action plan