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Pat |
on 14 July 2008, at 21:59, writes: |
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over a billboard? |
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Mark D. Smith |
on 14 July 2008, at 20:57, writes: |
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You know, I have been mulling this thing over and over in my head today and this one thing just keeps nagging me. Why is it that the first any of us has heard of this is after the steel showed up on the site? This all feels very much like the way in which Taco Bell was sprung upon Highland Square 13 or so years ago. The way the ridiculous number of streetlights between Casterton and Rhodes was implemented...and even the way the deceptive language in the City’s contract with Steve Albrecht’s agreement to build a grocery store was handled.
It is as if the residents of Highland Square (the citizens of all of Akron, for that matter) are intentionally kept in the dark until construction is imminent, or it is a “done deal”, and then the response, and I swear I have heard this so many more times from City officials than I can bear to remember, is "it's too late...nothing can be done about it."
The zoning department approved these interstate highway sized billboards on December 11, 2007. For seven full months - not a word or even a heads up from the City that this was forthcoming. It isn’t as if it should come as a surprise that residents will be upset by these absurdly out of scale billboards that are proven to drive down property values wherever they go up. The City officials I spoke with today - with out exception - all indicated that they knew this would be a huge issue. They KNEW we would be upset, yet they sat on their hands for over 7 MONTHS!
It is almost as if the Mayor wants Highland Square to fail. This time I'm going to find it awfully difficult to buy into the forthcoming culpable denials and hand wringing from City officials that we could have at least tried to stop this had we been given half an opportunity. Of course I would not deny that the information was not available somewhere...if you knew the right question to ask. But something this big should have been better publicized. Wherever it was, I missed it...and unless I'm mistaken, many others have as well.
I don’t know how the rest of you all feel, but I am honestly so disgusted with the way this city is run and the way it has treated this neighborhoods that I am virtually ready to put my house up for sale and walk. |
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North St |
on 14 July 2008, at 18:02, writes: |
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Great information Lisa. Thanks.
I found a map from September of last year. The city sold the land next to Baho to Kwock Chin.
http://ci.akron.oh.us/webdocs/Zoning/MapsPCArchive/pc-2007-103-s.pdf |
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Lisa |
on 14 July 2008, at 17:20, writes: |
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The city has a public hearing tonight at 7:00 about in City Council Chambers to tearing down 2 houses on Crosby to make way for a parking lot.
Check out the maps from the zoning department's website.
http://ci.akron.oh.us/webdocs/Zoning/MapsPC/pc-2008-50-cu.pdf
There is a map for the bill board on Exchange but can't find anything about the two on Market.
http://ci.akron.oh.us/webdocs/Zoning/MapsPC/pc-2008-20-cu.pdf |
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Anita Mann |
on 14 July 2008, at 16:16, writes: |
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I almost threw up my metroburger when I saw this!!! |
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Anakronism |
on 14 July 2008, at 15:40, writes: |
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Move to a city where the Mayor gives a damn about the neighborhoods? |
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Local Res |
on 14 July 2008, at 15:30, writes: |
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Anakronism-
What can we do? Write to these people? Council? Suggestions? |
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Anakronism |
on 14 July 2008, at 15:09, writes: |
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Here are the details:
(1) 300 SQ FT (10 FT H x 30 FT W) Billboard at the DM Convenience store at Rhodes and Merriman. The billboard will top out at a whopping 50 FT above grade.
Additionally...
(1) 300 SQ FT (10 FT H x 30 FT W) Billboard at the BAHO Convenience store a block and a half down. The billboard will top out at 50 FT above grade.
According to Akron Zoning, they are both legal and were approved by zoning on December 11, 2007. A 'very aggressive" representative from J&B Outdoor pressed for the sales and permits. His name is:
Bo Hagood
10184 Watercrest Drive
Fishers, Indiana 46038
317/ 770.9331
The land for the DM billboard was sold to J&B outdoor by Pappas Realty. |
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Local Res |
on 14 July 2008, at 14:58, writes: |
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I really can't believe WHNO kept a billboard from going up on the opposite corner and then the city permits this one in. |
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Local Res |
on 14 July 2008, at 14:52, writes: |
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The sign is in Ward 1. Contact Jim Hurley and the Mayor if you want to register a complaint. Not that they can do much about it. |
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YEKIMI |
on 14 July 2008, at 12:27, writes: |
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Maybe Steve will change his tune if the billboard starts advertising for Giant Eagle! |
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Anakronism |
on 14 July 2008, at 12:00, writes: |
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You bet I've seen it.
What are the City and Mayor Plusquellic thinking by allowing something this enormous to go up in Highland Square!?
I hate to say I told you so, but this is so outrageous that I AM going to say it this time.
I was not the only one who pleaded with City Officials when the so-called design guidelines were written up to define some sort of signage control in Highland Square. Ultimately, there is virtually NO signage control in Highland Square...and now we will reap the consequences of that lack of interest on the part of Akron Zoning and Mayor Plusquellic.
As I currently understand it, instead of including the intersection of Merriman and Market in Highland Square, as the shelved Highland Square Comprehensive Revitalization Strategy recommended, Zoning excluded enough land so that this monster could go up. In the words of Steve Albrecht, "we don't need design guidelines for signage...let the market take care of it".
Well, Steve and Don, looks like the market is doing exactly what it would be expected to do...at the grotesque detriment of the community in which I have invested so much. |
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