Akron council approves conditional use to retain expanded mulch operations at 1669 Copley Road

Akron City Council approved an ordinance authorizing a conditional use to retain expanded mulch operations at 1669 Copley Road, voting 11–0 during a Jan. 12 special meeting.

Planning staff (presented by Mister Antonucci) said petitioner Mario Halasa prepared a stormwater pollution prevention plan and submitted documentation from the Summit County Environmental Health Division and the Ohio EPA showing compliance with applicable Ohio laws. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including limiting noise-producing activities to 8 a.m.–8 p.m., to reduce intrusion on neighboring residential properties.

Mario Halasa, who gave his address for the record as 1735 Copley Road, told council he was present to answer questions. Councilman Fusco moved for a favorable committee report with suspension of the rules and said he had spoken with ward councilperson Jan Davis, who had visited the site and supported the petition. After the committee report was accepted, the chair announced, “This ordinance passes 11 to 0.”

The ordinance authorizes retaining the expanded mulch operations on the southern parcel (formerly farmed by Bessemer Farms) and notes that no sales will occur onsite and operations will take place during daylight hours. Planning staff concluded the expansion onto land with limited development potential is an appropriate land use, subject to the recommended operational limits.

The council did not record any additional public opposition during the hearing and moved the item forward with the stated conditions.