Akron council approves conditional use for 10-unit veteran housing on Exeter Road

Akron City Council voted unanimously during a May 18 special meeting to approve an ordinance authorizing a conditional use for a 10‑unit housing development at Exeter Road and Erickson Avenue intended to serve low‑income veterans.

Planning staff described the proposed development as 10 modest one‑bedroom (about 800 sq ft) homes on roughly 2.3 acres within a larger 7.25‑acre parcel (parcel number 6762680). Two eastern units would be ADA‑accessible. The project would be accessed by a private roadway from Exeter Road with a connecting drive to the adjacent Valor Home and its parking lot. Each home would include a kitchen, combined living/dining area, laundry room, bathroom and off‑street parking; the developer plans to construct dwellings using insulated concrete forms.

"This is such a needed project," said Matt Slater of Access Family Services, the nonprofit owner and developer and operator of the nearby Valor Home, which provides transitional housing for homeless veterans. Slater told the council the organization could fill the 10 units and still have a waiting list. He said the site benefits from nearby supports, including an access‑point health clinic and veterans services.

Councilman Kammer, reporting his committee's favorable recommendation, said the petitioner has a track record of helping the city's veteran population and asked the council to move forward with passage. Councilman Hanna, an ex‑veteran, told colleagues he supported the project and said the long‑vacant property could give homeless veterans "new hope and a safe place to live."

Councilman Amobian asked whether the initial units would be rental or owner‑occupied. Slater responded that the first 10 units would be rental and said the developer is leveraging funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank and OFA housing development grant programs; he said future phases could consider for‑sale units depending on community interest.

Planning staff recommended several conditions and design elements to improve pedestrian access and neighborhood compatibility, including providing a tree lawn between the roadway and sidewalk, a sidewalk on the east side of the roadway, an overall site plan showing roadways, utilities and open space, and front roof overhangs of at least 5 feet supported by posts.

The council recorded the ordinance as passing 12 to 0; one member (Councilman Garrett) was absent during the vote. The measure authorizes the conditional use as described; no ordinance number was specified during the hearing.

The council took no additional action on the project at the meeting.