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1. Location of the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area
   The Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area consists of approximately 92 acres situated to the immediate northwest of the Central Business District. It is generally bounded north of West Market Street by the rear property line of the parcels on the north side of North Street to the north, the Ohio and Erie Canal on the east, and Valley Street on the west. South of West Market Street, it is generally bounded by Maple Street on the east, Valley Street on the west, and the rear lot line of parcels on Crosby Street or the centerline of Myrtle Place.  
2. Statement of Development Objectives to be Achieved by the Project
   The goals of the City of Akron in undertaking the project are: 1) to eliminate blight and to prevent the recurrence of blight in the Market-Maple area; 2) to facilitate the expansion of existing businesses and the influx of new businesses into the Market-Maple area in order to create jobs and increase economic activity; 3) to support growth and development of educational and public facilities.
   
   To carry out project goals, the following specific objectives are proposed:
   1. Land Use Objectives
      Enhance the viability of the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area by encouraging land uses which are compatible with the areas existing retail, commercial, educational, and public facility character:
      1. Remove blighted and incompatible properties within the project area which are deteriorated, or a threat to the public health, safety and general welfare.
      2. Enable suitable redevelopment sites for the expansion of area businesses or uses compatible with the area.
      3. Prohibit incompatible uses from locating in the project area and promote harmonious land use relationships between properties.
      4. Encourage new retail and service development along West Market Street.
      5. Support growth and development of facilities associated with St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
   2. Environmental Objectives
      Develop an attractive and visually improved environment:
      1. Support Ohio and Erie Canal Corridor and Cascade Locks Park development.
      2. Remove properties which are poorly maintained or deteriorated, attract nuisance activities and are detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the general public and persons who pass through the area.
      3. Implement redevelopment which will prevent blighted conditions from recurring which are harmful to persons within, adjacent to, and who pass through the Renewal Area.
      4. Through development guidelines, develop attractive, well-landscaped and lighted facilities which improve the appearance of the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area.
   3. Public Improvements Objectives
      1. Upgrade the public infrastructure as necessary within the project area.
      2. Create an attractive, modern arterial street along West Market Street in keeping with its status as the major east-west arterial through Akron.
   4. Circulation Objectives
      1. Reduce conflicts among all forms of circulation routes, including pedestrian, vehicular and commercial traffic.
      2. Ensure efficient ingress and egress points for commercial traffic accessing the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area.
      3. Reduce parking conflicts among different uses or businesses.
      4. Find solutions to short, narrow, or dead-end streets which impede circulation through the area.
      5. Provide for an improved pedestrian environment especially around the high school.
   5. Economic Objective
      Facilitate the expansion of existing businesses and the influx of other appropriate commercial businesses to help stimulate the local economy.
      1. Remove blighting conditions and thereby encourage investor confidence in the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area.
      2. Provide for redevelopment which will provide jobs for Akron area residents, especially residents of the immediate area and the nearby Enterprise Community.
      3. Add to the inventory of commercial businesses in Akron, improving the tax base and diversity of the local economy.
      4. Provide support for the maintenance and expansion of the automobile dealers in this area.
      5. Encourage private investment in property to upgrade the general appearance.1
3. Types of Proposed Renewal Actions
   Proposed renewal actions to be carried out by the City following adoption of the renewal plan may include acquisition and clearance of property, the sale or lease of land for redevelopment, construction of supporting infrastructure and additional actions supporting commercial, retail, office, educational and public facilities. Redevelopment sites controlled by the City are to be acquired by agreements with the City setting forth permitted uses, use restrictions and development requirements. The sale or lease of City owned property, and the terms of the associated development agreements, requires review by the City Planning Commission and the approval of Akron City Council.
4. Land Use Plan
   1. Permitted Land Uses
      In order to achieve the objectives of this Urban Renewal Plan, the permitted land uses within the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Plan shall correspond with the proposed zoning for the area as depicted in Map 5. These uses shall include all uses permitted under Chapters 153.101 (U1, Dwelling Districts), 153.106 (UG Government Use), 153.107 (U3 Retail Business), and 153.108 (U4 Commercial), of the Akron Zoning Code.
   2. Zoning
      1. Existing Zoning
         The existing zoning for the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area is a combination of Apartment, Retail, Commercial and Ordinary Industry.
      2. Proposed Zoning
         It is proposed that the area be zoned Dwelling District (U1), Retail (U3), Commercial (U4), and Government (UG), as found in Chapters 153.101, 153.106, 153.107, and 153.108 of the Akron Zoning Code.
   3. Additional Development Standards and Regulations
      All site, building and signage plans shall be reviewed by the Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission (UDHPC) and require approval from the City Planning Commission.
      In addition to complying with the development standards and regulations set forth in the Akron Zoning Code, new development in the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area shall comply with the following:
      1. Parking Facilities
         The design, layout and access to off-street parking shall be reviewed and approved. All parking and service areas shall be paved with concrete curbs installed around the perimeter and include landscaped traffic control islands, if necessary. Parking should be located at the side or rear of buildings.
      2. Outdoor Advertising Displays
         No billboards or outdoor advertising display of any nature shall be placed, erected or located in the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area.
      3. On-Premise Exterior Signs
         The following guidelines apply to all exterior signage in the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area.
         1. Building mounted signage shall be for business identification only.
         2. Ground mounted signs shall be for one business only. If multiple businesses are on site, the sign shall be for project identification only.
         3. All signage materials shall be compatible with building materials and colors.
         4. Mechanically moving signage or flashing lights shall be prohibited.
         5. A sign may not project above the roof of a structure to which it is affixed.
         6. Any new signs or replacement of existing signs shall be reviewed by the Urban Design and Historic & Preservation Commission and receive the approval of the Akron City Planning Commission.
      4. Utilities
         All private and public utilities will be placed underground on West Market Street
      5. Building Materials
         All building materials shall be split face block or brick.
      6. Positioning of Primary Buildings
         Minimum building setback from public streets shall be two times the building height or be at the street frontage on West Market Street. Building service areas should not be visible from public streets.
      7. On Site Trash Storage
         On site trash materials shall be stored in a structure(s) that match the materials of the primary buildings.
      8. Access
         Vehicular ingress and egress to the site shall be approved by the City Traffic Engineer. Multiple buildings should be served by a common access point.
      9. Landscaping
         At a minimum, 30% of the site available for development shall be non-paved and the non-building area suitably landscaped
      10. Exterior Lighting
          All public exterior area shall be well lighted in a manner suitable for the intended use. Lighting should be adequate for the intended use, but should be sited and of such a nature as to not be intrusive into surrounding areas.
      11. Storm Water Management
          The developer shall submit a storm water management plan to control the run-off, siltation and sedimentation during construction and to control the run-off after the development is completed. The plan is to be consistent with all the requirements of Section 192.101-.114 of the Code of Ordinances and is to be subject to the approval of the Bureau of Engineering and submitted prior to the issuance of any building permits.
          Existing businesses in the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area which do not meet the minimum development standards as outlined in the Akron Zoning code will not be required to retroactively comply to those standards. However, there are some design objectives which will be sought voluntarily to improve the environment of the Market-Maple Area.
          The voluntary design objectives are:
          1. Upgrade existing buildings in design and exterior building materials with special emphasis on the appearance of the main business entrances.
          2. Upgrade on-premise exterior signs.
          3. Provide landscaping in all appropriate locations, particularly along the building or screening line and between curbs and sidewalks.
          4. Screen from public view exterior storage, loading and parking areas.
5. Project Proposals
   1. Land Acquisition
      1. Identification of real property proposed to be acquired:
         Conditions of blight, deterioration and/or incompatible land use will be eliminated through clearance and redevelopment in order to meet development objectives. Specific properties will be identified as development proposals are received and reviewed.
      2. Conditions under which Properties Identified to be Acquired may not be Acquired.
         As properties are identified for acquisition, such properties may not be acquired if it is determined that an acceptable alternative will achieve the objectives of the Plan.
   2. Rehabilitation and Conservation
      There are no structures designated for rehabilitation. Rehabilitation of buildings and properties may be undertaken if determined to further the objectives of the Plan.
   3. Redeveloper's Obligations
      Redevelopment within the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area on land to be acquired by the City, shall be restricted by a Lease Agreement or Redevelopment Agreement executed by the City and the Redeveloper. The Lease Agreement or Redevelopment Agreement and project reviews and approval shall apply to all of the Redeveloper's contiguous property within the urban renewal area. The Lease Agreement or Redevelopment Agreement shall include the following provisions:
      1. The Redeveloper shall submit site plans and building plans to the City of Akron, Department of Planning and Urban Development. Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission shall review and Planning Commission shall approve these plans prior to commencement of construction to determine compliance of such plans with the Renewal Plan. It is expressly understood that approval of any plans by the City of Akron applies to any and all features shown thereon; and that any subsequent additions, deletions, or other modifications thereof are required to be submitted by the developer before construction of such modifications can begin.
      2. The Redeveloper shall commence rehabilitation or new construction on land acquired by the City and conveyed to the Redeveloper within 12 months after conveyance.
      3. The Redeveloper shall agree that no covenant, agreement, lease conveyance or other instrument relating to the property shall be effected or executed on the basis or race, creed, color, sex or national origin in the sale, lease, use or occupancy thereof.
      4. The Redeveloper shall maintain the structure and facilities in accordance with all codes and ordinances of the City of Akron.
6. Other Provisions
   1. Relationship to Local Objectives
      The Urban Renewal Plan proposals are based on planning objectives for the City of Akron as expressed in the General Plan and Workable Program of the City of Akron. The Plan provides for the redevelopment of the project area in a manner which will promote the public health, safety, and welfare. Its proposals will enable Akron to retain key institutions such as St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, as well as vital businesses such as auto dealerships, and expand employment opportunities. The Plan will complement City of Akron redevelopment efforts for West Market Street, a prime retail and commercial arterial, and assist in the elimination of blight in an important area near the Central Business District, the Highland Square Redevelopment Area, and the Ohio and Erie Canal and Heritage Corridor. A conceptual plan for the proposed Cascade Locks Park identifies proposed recreational, housing and retail activities along the Ohio and Erie Canal area to the east of the Urban Renewal Area from Lock 10 to Lock 15. Lock 15, immediately north of the northeast boundary, is the site of the restored Mustill Store and Mustill House.
      
      The acquisition and elimination of blighted conditions and the prevention of recurrence will benefit the general public and the business and property owners adjacent to the Market-Maple Urban Renewal Area.
      
      The land use proposals of the plan will provide for development of educational, commercial, retail, office, and attendant facilities and parking.
   2. Relocation Plan
      Should action by the City result in displacement of any residents or businesses, the relocation of displaced individuals or families will be carried out in conformance with the City of Akron Relocation Plan and Activity Program.
7. Other Development Provision
   1. Duration of the Renewal Plan Restrictions
      The Renewal Plan and/or modification thereof shall be in force and effect for a period of 40 years from the date of approval of this Renewal Plan by the City of Akron. The termination of this Renewal Plan shall in no way permit the project land or any part thereof to be restricted on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, or national origin in the sale, use, or occupancy thereof; nor shall it permit the practice of discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, or national origin.
   2. Provisions for Amending Approved Plan
      This Renewal Plan may be amended from time to time upon approval by the City Planning Commission and City Council.