Transient and extended stay motels continue to be a problem for Springfield Township.
At the August 16 meeting, administrator Mike Hampton said some of the hotels are attempting to convert to extended stay.
“We are still looking into issues with that,” he added, noting one in particular–the former Red Roof Inn, 1214 Corporate Drive, which is now being converted to Holland Inn and Suites.
Mr. Hampton also expressed concern about clientele and activities similar to what Maumee is facing with a hotel in its jurisdiction.
“There is activity that is going on that’s detrimental to the township,” he said.
Trustee Bob Bethel worries about the change in ownership as well. “Local ownership, in my experience is not held to the same standards,” he commented.
In July, the trustees approved a text amendment to the zoning code pertaining to hotels and extended stay hotels.
The text amendment separates the definitions of hotel and extended stay hotel and adjusts where they are permitted to be located.
Changes to the zoning resolution call for extended stay hotels to be permitted in the R-3 multi-family residential district and the C-1 neighborhood commercial and C-2 general commercial districts, subject to conditional use approval. The change also stipulates that extended stay hotels not be permitted in the M-1 limited industrial zoning district.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Identified Weckerly Road as the street to submit to ODOT for stimulus grant funding.
“It is a needed project,” Mr. Hampton said, adding that the estimated cost for resurfacing may exceed the maximum grant award.
“We may need to kick in a little more,” he added.
ODOT has $8 million with up to $250,000 per project available for roads, sidewalks and culverts.
•Learned that StressCare is going out of business and will no longer provide behavioral health services to the township.
Mr. Hampton is looking at Harbor Behavorial Health and Promedica as options.
Mr. Bethel, who works in human resources, recommended the township use Harbor.
•Received an update from the Lucas County sheriff’s office about activity in the township.
Sergeant Melissa Carney said with school starting, deputies are focused on traffic in school zones and at bus stops. “We are working on these issues until the community adapts to school schedules,” she added.
“That makes sense for this time of year,” Mr. Bethel said.
“Especially with the way things have been the past two years,” added Trustee Tom Anderson Jr.
•Approved the national opioid settlement as recommended by the state of Ohio. Under the proposal, Ohio will receive up to $804.87 million to be distributed as follows: 15 percent to the state; 30 percent to subdivisions such as townships and 55 percent to the One-Ohio Foundation.
•Authorized the expenditure of $1,500 for the band at the Party by the Pond event on August 28, but Mr. Hampton said Walker Funeral Home is sponsoring the band and will reimburse the township.
•Announced that an audit of the joint economic development district has been completed with “no findings.”
In a related matter, the trustees reappointed Mr. Anderson to the JEDD board for a four-year term beginning August 19.
•Appointed Jeff Crowell to the park board, effective August 21.
•Learned that rock salt for the upcoming winter will be purchased through Morton Salt for $52.94 per ton.
Andy Hohlbein, public services director, said the pricing is up a bit over last year.
•Heard that public services mowed two overgrown parcels at 1100 North McCord Road and 7441 Annin Road.
The department also spruced up the ballfield area at Community Homecoming Park, including painting the ballfield structure.
•Announced that last month the cemetery had six burials, sold two graves and had one buy back.
•Paid bills from August 4 to 17 of $45,431 and electronic payments from July 30 to August 13 of $364,830, which includes the bi-weekly payroll of $239,715 and the elected officials pay of $9,808.
Due to the Labor Day holiday, the next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Tuesday, September 7, at the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. The meeting also may be viewed via livestream at springfield township.net.
~Jane Maiolo
