Akron council approves conditional use for towing and impound lot at 1065 Dublin Street

Akron City Council on May 18 approved an ordinance authorizing a conditional use for a towing operation and impound lot at 1065 Dublin Street after planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval and the applicant indicated willingness to comply with paving requirements.

Planning staff said the petitioner, the current district‑2 towing operator, seeks to relocate to a roughly 4‑acre site on Dublin Street to accommodate a larger fleet. The proposal would fence an impound area, provide six employee parking spaces, and locate a paved customer lot west of the building; the petitioner had suggested gravel or chip‑and‑seal for the impound area but staff reported that the Akron Engineering Bureau does not support non‑paved impound surfaces and noted the zoning code requires parking, storage areas and driveways to be paved to allow proper containment, drainage and fluid‑treatment for impounded vehicles.

"We suggested either the gravel or chip and seal, but understand that we would have to comply with paving and don't have any issues with that," said John Elsey, the architect representing Team Towing, describing site layout and nearby streets. Carol Coleman Crane of Team Towing and Service, the owner‑operator, described the business history, said the 4‑acre site could accommodate impounded vehicles and employees, and said the company would complete remaining fencing and evaluate building refurbishment or replacement.

Planning staff cautioned that an unpaved impound lot could lead to dust, potholes and standing water and could negatively affect the nearby Kent Street Park and the Little Cuyahoga River; staff nonetheless concluded that if properly paved and developed the towing operation would be an asset to the Middlebury neighborhood. Councilman Kammer noted the petitioner’s established contract work for the police department and the Ward 10 council person's support.

The council recorded the ordinance as passing 13 to 0. The hearing did not include a city ordinance number in the record; planning staff recommended conditions consistent with engineering and zoning requirements.

The council adjourned the special meeting with the tow‑lot ordinance approved and the next regular session scheduled for 6:30 p.m.