Council delays decision on Clutch Cannabis sign permit after split recommendation from staff and commission

Akron City Council on July 13 opened an open-comment hearing on a petitioner’s request to add wall signage and a pole sign at 1960 West Market Street for a proposed dispensary and granted additional time for follow-up rather than act at the special meeting.

Planning staff (Mister Hasbach) described the request: revised plans show two additional wall signs, a rear wall sign and a proposed 24-foot, 32-square-foot pole sign at the corner of Frank Boulevard and Market Street; staff reported total proposed wall signage of about 65.75 square feet and a rear elevation sign of about 17.75 square feet. Staff said the quarter-mile stretch of West Market Street already contains 11 pole signs and concluded adding another pole sign at the corner would be visually blighting; planning staff recommended disapproval while the planning commission recommended approval.

Peter Nisch, representing the petitioner, said dispensaries face restrictive advertising rules in Ohio and that the business expects roughly 50–55% of transactions to be online preorders and 45–50% to be walk-ins. Nisch argued a pole sign is necessary to make the location visible to walk-in customers and cited experience in a nearby market (Northfield) where business improved after a pole sign was installed. "Without it, we think that we're gonna underperform our expectations," he said.

A member of the public, Mr. Seeley, spoke in favor of granting the sign permit, saying the business will generate revenue and tax dollars and urging the council to support local businesses. With no further testimony at the meeting, Councilman Kammer polled his committee and the council agreed to "pull" the item for time, meaning staff will supply follow-up information before the council acts.

No final decision was recorded at the special meeting.