Uneasy Feelings Caused By Zoning Change

A zoning change in Akron has been approved which would allow for developmental projects to take place in the future.

This change is located on East Market Street between Route 8 and Ivan Place.

This proposal first came up three years ago, but wasn’t approved until recently.

The 5.7 acres of land are largely owned by Summa Health System along Fountain, Adolph and Spruce streets.

A majority of these buildings are for apartments but under the new zoning this will change to make them retail business buildings.

City Councilman Jeff Fusco explained that this new zone change is called “form zoning.”

“Form based zoning is where for example, Summa, we take a whole street like East Market Street and if you’re going to build something new here you have to build it up onto the street,” said Fusco. “I’ve been somewhat against it.”

Form based zoning allows for these areas to be more walkable and easier to access. 

This approval was passed through as an emergency measure, allowing it to bypass the other committees and votes it would usually have to go through.

This change was met with negativity from members of the Let’s Grow Akron organization.

Let’s Grow Akron is non-profit that helps provide fresh foods and gardens in neighborhoods that have had troubles accessing them before.

 They assist in educating people in urban areas on how to start their own garden with minimal land. 

The land that their garden rests on was donated to the organization by Summa until the hospital needed it.

Fusco has said that there has been talk at meetings about the garden and explained that Summa said the

 garden can stay in the same location for the 2024 growing season. 

Summa and the Council are also planning on helping Let’s Grow Akron find a site that would suit the garden permanently. 

With the change, many shared fear for the future of their homes and the community garden.

“I have lived on this street since 2011, and have been running the community garden since 2012,” Let’s Grow Akron employee and community member Avery Mags Duff said.

“Summa Health has offered us a few smaller, shady properties as replacements,” Duff said. “We rejected them as they would be obvious downgrades and I think our neighborhood deserves a garden that is equal, if not better than our current one.”

Although, There have been ways they have been attempting to push back against this.

“We have shown up and spoken at many meetings from city council, zoning commissions, private meetings with city officials and meetings with Summa employees,” Duff said. “We have canvassed the neighborhood to spread the word about the changes and get feedback from the community, a majority of the neighbors never heard of the zoning or development before this.”

There is also a page on Instagram named @fight4middlebury that hopes to expose gentrification within the neighborhood. 

Seeing Summa Health purchase and tear down housing has made the community tired and frustrated Duff said. 

“Many people are heartbroken at the loss of our garden,” said Duff. “They are afraid of rent getting raised and not being able to afford it, we feel out of the loop, like plans are being made without our needs considered,” 

Duff along with many other residents are concerned that this will take away the greenery and nature.

Akron resident Damian Jackson said, “It’s a shame that so much of what a lot of people love about this area including the garden will be taken away for business.”

Jackson explained he enjoyed seeing his community involved in something that helps not only each other but the planet too. 

“The legislation explains that the first floor of the new buildings have to be available for retail or office use while the other floors can be used for residential,” Fusco said.

Some Akron residents aren’t totally against the move, like community member Reese Brunson.

“I don’t see it as a bad thing,” Brunson said. “I think inviting businesses and offices to open up in Akron will help create more revenue and opportunities for a majority of people.”

Despite not having much of a green thumb, Brunson understands why people are upset about this change. 

Summa officials plan to work with developer Fairmount Properties.

The total investment is estimated between $40-to-$60 million on East Market Street.

These proposed buildings are a hotel, new apartments and retail establishments.

“With this new type of zoning, they don’t have to tell us, the city council, what it is going to exactly look like, how many parking spaces or how many units there will be, there’s a lot of issues with it.” Fusco said. 

Form based zoning allows for new designs to go directly past council and straight to administration. 

“These zoning changes create a ripple effect in the neighborhood,” Duff said. “These ripples affect the most marginalized people who live in very fragile situations.”

 

Avery Mags Duff: averymagsduff@protonmail.com

Jeff Fusco: 330-322-6009

Damian Jackson: 330-926-8523

Reese Brunson: 330-703-6019