Council refers conditional-use request to expand parking at 539 White Pond after mixed recommendations

Akron City Council on Feb. 10 heard a public hearing on a conditional‑use petition to expand an asphalt parking lot at 539 White Pond; the proposal would remove an existing single‑family home in a residential area to provide employee parking for an oral surgery practice. After public comment and presentations from both sides, the council’s committee voted to refer the item for further review.

The petitioner said a portion of the office building at 539 White Pond remains vacant because of limited parking and that the proposed lot expansion would be used by staff of offices along White Pond Drive. The petitioner described the expansion as necessary to serve existing and planned medical staff at the site.

Planning staff recommended disapproval, citing the city’s Land Use and Development Guide Plan and arguing the demolition would be “contrary to sound planning principles.” The staff note said the existing single‑family dwelling “appears to be in good condition and contributes to the overall viability of this residential neighborhood along Parkade Avenue,” and that demolishing it to create an asphalt parking lot would not be harmonious with adjacent residential uses to the east and north.

The planning commission reached the opposite conclusion and recommended approval, the record shows.

An alternate design was suggested during the hearing: the petitioner and staff noted there appears to be space east of the property’s existing lot where additional parking could be located if stormwater detention were converted to underground storage tanks to control runoff.

Attorney Bob Constand, representing the applicant, said the owner built a building in 2019 and currently has about 3,000 square feet vacant. He described the existing operation as two full‑time oral surgeons with seven medical assistants each, and said the applicant would like to add a third oral surgeon with seven additional medical assistants but needs employee parking to do so. Constand said the plan would not add a curb cut and that the new spaces would be accessed through the existing property off White Pond. He said the lot would be employee‑only parking used on business days roughly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with “no weekends, no evenings” and limited in‑and‑out activity.

Ava Colette, who spoke in favor of the general proposal, asked the council to ensure the owners maintain the property and provide necessary safety measures for the community.

After public comment, Councilman Fusco moved to refer the item for further consideration; the committee’s report was to refer. No final approval or denial was recorded during the Feb. 10 session.

Discussion points: planning staff vs. planning commission disagreement; concerns that demolition would harm neighborhood character; applicant’s operational justification tied to medical staffing; suggested technical alternative of underground stormwater storage to preserve the house. Next steps: the council’s referral means the petition will return to committee or a later meeting for additional review and possible conditions before a final vote.