Akron council approves conditional use for used auto sales at 1475 Massillon Road

Akron City Council on Monday approved a conditional use permitting used auto sales and tire repair at 1475 Massillon Road, voting 11-0 at a special meeting April 14.

The conditional-use approval allows the property, which previously received council approval for tire sales, to add auto sales as a listed business activity. Planning staff recommended approval, and the planning commission supported the request subject to 10 conditions.

Planning staff described the site as containing two buildings, with the main building containing a garage bay that would be used for both vehicle sales and tire installation and repair. Planning staff said the petitioner proposed a row of about seven vehicles for sale between the curb cuts along Massillon Road and about 15 additional vehicles parked south of the building near the corner of Tombs Drive and Massillon Road. The petitioner stated hours of operation as Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Planning staff told council the site has sufficient space to accommodate vehicle sales.

“The planning staff believes that the large parcel has enough space to also accommodate the sale of vehicles,” a city planning representative told council during the public hearing.

No members of the public spoke for or against the request during the hearing. Councilman Fusco moved to pull the committee for a favorable report and asked for passage; the motion was approved and the ordinance passed 11-0. The planning department and planning commission recommended approval; council members noted the ward representative supported the application. Ten conditions listed by staff must be met as part of the approval.

The ordinance authorizes a change in use on the property; no zoning text or ordinance number was cited on the record. The council did not take additional legislative steps beyond the conditional-use approval at the special meeting.