Council approves additional parking for medical offices at 539 White Pond Drive

Akron City Council approved an ordinance allowing expanded parking for medical offices at 539 White Pond Drive during its Jan. 12 special meeting, voting 11–0.

City staff explained that K Partners LLC (an oral surgery practice) had earlier been denied for a similar request but returned with a revised site plan that places 20 paved parking spaces 40 feet back from Parkgate Avenue (previously a 25-foot setback), connects a short driveway to the existing business parking, and adds a landscape mound and screening to minimize neighborhood view impacts. Planning staff and planning commission recommended approval subject to conditions.

Bob Constand, attorney for DRK Partners, said the practice has been in Akron more than 30 years and needs parking for employees and to free up space inside the building. He acknowledged significant past opposition, credited Councilwoman Jan Davis and planning staff for meeting with neighbors, and described design changes to reduce visibility from Parkgate (mounding, no curb cuts on Parkgate, access from White Pond).

Councilman Fusco moved for a favorable committee report with suspension of the rules; the committee’s report was accepted and the ordinance passed 11–0.