Posted February 2, 20214 yr Akron City Council approves zoning change for controversial upscale housing at former Riverwoods golf course Updated Feb 01, 2021; Posted Feb 01, 2021 By Robin Goist, cleveland.com AKRON, Ohio – City Council on Monday voted to approve the rezoning of the former Riverwoods Golf Course in Merriman Valley, paving the way for a developer’s controversial plan to build upscale townhouses. Council voted 10-2 in favor of the conditional use for the Broadview Heights-based Petros Development Group to construct 197 one- or two-story townhouses at 1870 Akron Peninsula Road, which was previously zoned for commercial and light industrial use. https://www.cleveland.com/akron/2021/02/akron-city-council-approves-zoning-change-for-controversial-upscale-housing-at-former-riverwoods-golf-course.html
February 16, 20214 yr Author As Merriman Valley project gets underway, activists continue to lobby for more planning for the area Dan Shingler The initial round in the fight over development in the Merriman Valley is over, with the city of Akron recently granting Petros Homes the variance it needed to build 197 townhomes on Akron-Peninsula Road. So, now what? Development of the former Riverwood Golf Course site will probably start this summer, Petros Homes said. But for the broader valley, activists say they're now organized to better confront future plans they think are ill or inadequately considered. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/merriman-valley-project-gets-underway-activists-continue-lobby-more-planning-area
February 23, 20214 yr Author February 22, 2021 11:46 AM updated 13 hours ago Towpath Tennis Center in Akron expands with new lodge Dan Shingler Tennis players in and around Akron are about to get a new place to hang out and shop for the accoutrements of their sport. Towpath Tennis Center in Akron's portion of the Merriman Valley is about to open a new $1.25 million lodge and pro shop at its indoor tennis complex on Akron-Peninsula Road, said longtime owner Dallas Aleman. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/towpath-tennis-center-akron-expands-new-lodge
March 2, 20214 yr Author Akron backs conservancy's grant application to restore golf course land in Merriman Valley Doug Livingston Akron Beacon Journal A nonprofit land conservancy working with the developer of housing at Riverwoods Golf Course has the backing of the city as it seeks $500,000 or more to start its Merriman Valley restoration and public improvement project. Akron City Council voted Monday to endorse West Creek Conservancy’s grant application through the Clean Ohio Greenspace program administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/03/01/west-creek-conservancy-seeks-500-000-clean-ohio-greenspace-grant/6873332002/?utm_source=akron-morning-roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20210302&utm_content=article4-headline
April 12, 20214 yr Proposal calls for Akron's Theiss Road property to become part of Summit Metro Parks Dan Shingler - Crain's Cleveland Business - Apr. 11, 2021 "Nearly 45 acres that the city of Akron owns and has up for bid on Theiss Road in the Merriman Valley could become part of nearby Hampton Hills Metro Park if the Western Reserve Land Conservancy's (WRLC) new bid to purchase the site wins the day. The conservancy, which submitted a revised bid of $410,000 for the land on March 30, told the city that if the group is allowed to purchase the property it intends to turn the site over to Summit Metro Parks. ... WRLC might be at a disadvantage. Its bid is below the minimum bid of $550,000 that the city has set for bids by conservationists. Late last year, the city raised the bar for bidders seeking to preserve the site, increasing the minimum bid from conservationists while potential residential developers were asked for a minimum bid of $361,520."
August 29, 20213 yr Merriman Valley meetings put Akron abatements in the crosshairs https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/merriman-valley-meetings-put-akron-abatements-crosshairs
August 29, 20213 yr I believe Akron should hasten to build mixed-use, housing, and commercial development predominantly in Merriman Valley, setting aside only about 20 percent of land for conservation. Many Ohio and Midwest cities are falling behind in growing and developing because they are not maximizing the land that they could develop, even if it means offering tax abatements. Meanwhile cities like Columbus, Charlotte, Nashville and others are boring full speed ahead commercially developing land like crazy and adding growth. Urban sprawl is not a bad word, cities need income to operate and sustain, and building for their futures , especially when it is very difficult for larger Ohio cities to annex.
August 30, 20213 yr Growth isn't the same as urban sprawl. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 20, 20232 yr Author What's next for Merriman Valley? Businesses abuzz as entertainment district plan emerges Anthony Thompson Akron Beacon Journal Kate Lawson, owner of Lady Kate's Fashion Refinery, is a few months away from opening a sustainable fashion store in the Merriman Valley, where she will sell vintage fashion in an area nestled next to the picturesque Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Lawson, a Wooster native, has designed clothing for musicians and theater troupes across the country, and is excited for what the future may hold in an area targeted by two cities that are working together to refresh its image. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/02/20/officials-discuss-zoning-changes-for-merriman-valley-project/69833101007/?utm_source=nabj-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-briefing&utm_term=hero&utm_content=OHIO-AKRON-NLETTER65
June 21, 20231 yr Akron proposes new zoning code for Merriman Valley, Schumacher Area Ideastream Public Media | By Abigail Bottar Published June 20, 2023 "Akron has released a draft of a new zoning code for the Merriman Valley. The new code aligns with residents’ goals to preserve green space and develop a walkable community. The city is looking to change the zoning in the Merriman Valley and Schumacher Area to a form-based code. Form based code promotes affordable housing, helps small businesses, encourages walkability and advances revitalization. Instead of focusing on separation of uses of land, form based code focuses on the character and layout of a community. For example, in the draft plan there are instances of mixed residential and commercial land uses. The end result is a walkable community with a focus on preserving green spaces. ... Cuyahoga Falls is also working on a draft of a form-based zoning code for this area. The city is on about the same timeline as Akron, Akron city planner Daniel D'Angelo said. ... The city released a draft of the new code Tuesday and is asking the public for input. Akron City Councilmembers Nancy Holland and Shammas Malik are holding a public meeting next Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:00 at Weathervane Playhouse about the new code. Residents can also provide feedback by emailing [email protected] or calling 330-375-2090." https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2023-06-20/akron-proposes-new-zoning-code-for-merriman-valley-schumacher-area
October 24, 20231 yr Akron City Council considers new zoning code for Merriman Valley, Schumacher Area Ideastream Public Media By Abigail Bottar Published October 24, 2023 Quote Akron City Council is considering changing the zoning code in the Merriman Valley and Schumacher Area neighborhoods. The city's proposed new zoning code would be a form-based code, which the city planner said promotes affordable housing, helps small businesses and encourages walkability. The new code aligns with residents' goal of preserving green space in the valley, according to planners and Preserve the Valley, the citizen coalition that initiated talks about the changes in zoning. Instead of focusing on the use of land, form-based code focuses on the character and layout of the community and accessibility. For example, in form-based code, shops would be moved closer to the street to make it easier for pedestrians and those using public transportation to access them. The proposed code is based on the Merriman Valley Schumacher Area Master Plan, which was released in conjunction with Cuyahoga Falls last year but created by residents. https://www.ideastream.org/government-politics/2023-10-24/akron-city-council-considers-new-zoning-code-for-merriman-valley-schumacher-area
November 20, 20231 yr Author Merriman Valley Master Plan step closer to fruition following vote by Akron City Council Derek Kreider Akron Beacon Journal Akron has taken another step toward realizing the transformation of the Merriman Valley. Akron City Council this week unanimously passed nine pieces of legislation relating to the city's adoption of a new zoning code for Merriman Valley and the city as a whole. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/11/18/akron-council-oks-zoning-to-make-merriman-valley-walkable-and-green/71603476007/?utm_source=nabj-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-briefing&utm_term=Content List - Stacking - optimized&utm_content=OHIO-AKRON-NLETTER65
November 20, 20231 yr Nice to see some plans to improve the Merriman Valley. Could be a really cool area with this rezoning.
March 5, 20241 yr Author Seems like the NIMBY's were out in full force... Cuyahoga Falls puts Merriman Valley Master Plan on hold over apartment concerns Anthony Thompson Akron Beacon Journal While Akron City Council recently voted to adopt a new zoning code for its portion of the Merriman Valley - Schumacher master plan, the Cuyahoga Falls Planning Commission decided to table talks on the issue to iron out a few details. Dozens of local residents turned out to a Planning Commission meeting last month to argue against voting the plan forward to Cuyahoga Falls City Council for final approval. The Planning Commission decided to table talks regarding the city's zoning plan over concerns about apartments near single-family homes, as well as wanting to be provided with an overlay of Akron's zoning changes for reference. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2024/03/04/cuyahoga-falls-tables-merriman-valley-master-plan-talks-northhampton/72758747007/?utm_source=nabj-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-briefing&utm_term=Content List - Stacking - optimized&utm_content=OHIO-AKRON-NLETTER65
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