The Akron Planning and Economic Development Committee voted on procedural referrals Tuesday, sending eight ordinances and redevelopment items to advertised public hearings and scheduling a budget review of the proposed 2026 capital investment program.

Sarah Viviano read the list of items the committee considered. They included an ordinance authorizing a conditional use to expand mulch operations at 1669 Copley Road; an amendment to Title 15 of the land-usage code to add section 153.347 on downtown signs and related sign-code changes; conditional-use requests to establish dual-use marijuana dispensaries at 1960 West Market Street and 1140 West Portage Trail; a conditional use to add parking for medical offices at 539 White Pond (fronting Parkgate Avenue); approval of the Archwood redevelopment plan; and a vacation plat for a portion of North Canton Road south of Gilchrist Road. The committee recorded referrals and instructions to advertise each item for public hearing.

On the capital program, the committee read a resolution adopting the 2026 capital investment and community development program (referred to in the meeting as the capital investment budget) and set a separate budget review at 3:15 p.m. to cover public utilities and economic development. The Chair noted the budget review time and the committee agreed to the scheduling.

No substantive debate on the ordinance details occurred during this session; committee members and staff repeatedly instructed that the items be referred and advertised for public hearings so that hearings and detailed public comment can occur before final action.

The committee closed that portion of the agenda by placing the items on the advertised-public-hearing track; specific hearing dates and staff reports were not stated in the transcript.