by Steve Wiandt
Reporter
Cuyahoga Falls -- Abandoned pets may soon have a new home in the Falls.
The site plan for an animal care and housing facility proposed by the Greater Akron Humane Society at 222 Cochran Road was favored by City Council's planning and zoning committee May 5.
The ordinance to approve the site plan will go before City Council May 12 for its approval.
City Planning Director Fred Guerra said the Humane Society's building will be 25,500 square feet, broken down into an 18,000-square-foot area for animal care and housing and a 6,500-square-foot support and office area. He said the facility will be built on eight acres of land. It will have 75 parking spaces.
The new building is proposed in an E-1 employment district, Guerra said.
Guerra noted he is working with the Humane Society to build or plant additional screening between its facility and a neighboring house to the west.
Councilmember Diana Colavecchio (D-5), planning and zoning committee chair, said there is concern over access to the proposed facility. She said that even though its address is Cochran Road, the only access is off Cavalier Trail.
"I don't know of everyone can find you," Councilmember Don Walters (D-5) told Karen Conklin, Humane Society executive director. Guerra said if and when Cochran Road is extended, the Humane Society would have a second entrance.
"We are so excited about the project," said Conklin. "We're going to have a state-of-the-art building in your community." Conklin said the facility will have space available for community use.
Susan Allen of TC Architects said construction would begin as soon as the project is approved by City Council, and take about nine months.
During the committee meeting, Conklin announced the Greater Akron Humane Society's new trade name will be Pawsibilities. She said the organization needed "rebranding" as a marketing tool for better recognition by the public.
"It's a done deal, what can we say?" said a resident during the May 5 meeting. She added she felt the building is going be a "Taj Mahal."
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