The cities of Cuyahoga Falls and Akron came together to launch a joint planning project Merriman valley aerialin 2021 to steer future developments in the Merriman Valley and Schumacher areas. Farr Associates, an architectural and planning firm was hired to complete this project.

This proposed master plan will build upon the 2005 Northampton Area planning framework in order to create a more cohesive land use policy and regulations that will guide future development for both Cuyahoga Falls and Akron in the Merriman Valley-Schumacher Area.

 

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Press Releases

March 5, 2021 January 13, 2022 July 10, 2023

    Upcoming Meetings:

    • To be announced

    Past Meetings:

    Meaningful public participation is a key component of a successful planning process. Therefore, the Cities and Farr Associates are inviting the public to participate in the study through the following workshops: 

     

    • DISCUSSION OF MERRIMAN VALLEY SCHUMACHER FORM-BASED CODE

    Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 6:00 pm

    The Cuyahoga Falls Planning Commission will discuss a draft of the Merriman Valley Form-Based Code at its meeting scheduled for July 18th at 6 p.m. at the Natatorium located at 2345 4th Street. The draft is a companion to the proposed Merriman Valley Master Plan.

    The cities of Cuyahoga Falls and Akron began the master plan process in 2021 with a draft developed by Farr Associates that was designed to build upon the 2005 Northampton Area planning framework to create a more cohesive land use policy and regulations that will guide future development for both Cuyahoga Falls and Akron in the Merriman Valley-Schumacher Area. The draft code is available at cityofcf.com/mvsdraftcode. Residents will have an opportunity to give feedback on the draft code at the July 18th meeting.

    • Draft master plan presentation

    Thursday, December 15, 2021 (Zoom)

    • Proposed Land Uses – including changes to the existing Zoning Code
    • Improved Transportation Systems - streets, trails, sidewalks, and river access
    • Environmental Considerations - conservation neighborhoods, habitat corridors, and riparian setbacks
    • Example Development and Redevelopment Scenarios – within the study area in both Akron and Cuyahoga Falls

    At the public meeting, following a brief presentation of the draft plan by the consultant, participants were able to ask questions of the consultant team and city officials via the Zoom chat feature. This dialogue was moderated by Dan Rice, President of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and Chair of the Cuyahoga Falls Planning Commission. 

    full press release Meeting recording presentation slides

    • Public Workshop 3 – Preferred Plan 

    Thursday, Aug 19, 2021, at 5.30 pm 
    Live Event at Todaro’s (1820 Akron Peninsula Road) 

    • Draft Master Plan Presentation

    presentation slides  video 

    • Public Workshop 2 – Scenario Evaluation 

    Tuesday, Aug 17, 2021, at 5.30 pm 
    Live Event at Todaro’s (1820 Akron Peninsula Road)  

    presentation slides  video

    • Public Workshop 1 – Project Introduction & Building Blocks 

    Thursday, July 15, 2021, at 5.30 pm 
    Virtual Event

    This workshop will have two parts:
    In the first part of the meeting, Farr Associates will introduce the project, planning team, and initial goals.  Significant findings from the planning team’s site visit and preliminary investigations will be presented.  Farr Associates will also discuss with attendees their perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the study area, along with their aspirations for its future.  

    In the second part of the discussion, Farr Associates will engage the public in an exercise called Asset Based Community Development.  Farr Associates will lead attendees through a series of questions on an array of urban design elements, including building and housing types, streetscapes, and green spaces.  Feedback from this exercise will lead to a consensus on the key elements, or “building blocks”, that the Farr Associates will then use as a basis for creating two master plan scenarios for the study area.  

    If you have any questions pertaining to this master plan process, please feel free to contact Community Development Director, Diana Colavecchio via email at colavecchio@cityofcf.com or via telephone at 330-971-8135.