After months of wrangling with the owners of Quality Inn, 1401 East Mall Drive, the Springfield Township trustees are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.
At the May 1 meeting, Administrator Mike Hampton said he and township Law Director Kent Murphree met with the Lucas County prosecutor’s office on April 19 and he agreed to draft a letter to the six partners in the hotel.
“Within an hour of receiving the letters, they called and agreed to meet with us on April 24,” he said.
Mr. Hampton outlined the conditions that must be met which include evicting all the residents of the hotel, closing it down and conducting a full cleaning and maintenance of the property.
It could then reopen as a hotel upon satisfactory inspection and stays must be limited to 10 days per the zoning resolution.
The administrator pointed out that if those conditions were not met, the township would take steps to shut down the hotel, board it up and sell the contents.
“It was used as an apartment complex, which is not allowed [under our zoning] and has led to problems,” he noted.
Mr. Hampton added that as of May 1, everyone is out of the hotel and cleaning has started. The issue now is what will happen moving forward.”
He did learn that the manager had been removed and a new one has taken his place.
Zoning Report
Jacob Barnes, planning director, presented the zoning report for April. The department issued 29 permits and collected fees of $1,460.
Issued last month were 9 permits for fencing, followed by 4 sheds, accessory structures and decks, three; signs, garage and compliance letters, two apiece and additions and temporary signage and one commercial remodel, one each.
He noted the BZA met April 24 and approved a conditional use request and variance request for a proposed truck terminal at 9590 Airport Highway.
Mr. Barnes provided an update on Royal Village mobile home park, which was recently inspected. “Many new mobile homes are being installed and overall I observed improvement.”
Other work being performed includes new steps and decks for the homes.
Mr. Barnes reported improvements to the area behind Mike’s Pizza at McCord and Angola roads.
“They have been maintaining the fence line, and the property has been in good shape. It’s definitely a good sign,” he said.
Mr. Barnes also received approval to move forward with a review of a proposed text amendment to zoning regulations pertaining to solar power.
The amendment defines types of solar systems and zones where they would be permitted.
“We are not trying to discourage solar power. We just want guidelines for it,” he explained, adding that the regulations pertain to smaller scale solar power.
“Over 50 kilowatt hours are exempt,” noting those are “humongous facilities.”
The proposed regulations break small solar facilities down to integrated solar energy systems, rooftop solar energy, ground mounted solar systems and small solar facilities similar to what is at the 180th Fighter Wing facility off Eber Road.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Approved the Lucas County engineer’s office estimate of $245,943 for a drainage improvement project on Old Airport Highway and agreed to advertise for bids.
•Entered into a contract with Bowers Asphalt and Paving Inc., of Walbridge to perform repairs to the asphalt lot at Station 51 on South Mc-Cord Road. Cost for the repairs will be $20,200.
•Opted against having an electric vehicle charging station located at the administration building.
•Amended the credit card policy to allow the township administrator and fiscal officer to periodically “enter into new credit card account relationships on behalf of the township and add or remove credit card accounts.”
•Approved a policy for use of the speed trailers, which will only be used by fire, police and administration. The trailers will not be available for public use.
•Approved the payment of bills from April 18 to May 1 totaling $171,605, which includes $36,773 for the speed trailers and $61,236 to Fire Safety Services. They also approved electronic payments of $310,334 from April 14 to 27. It includes the biweekly payroll of $248,884.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, May 22, at the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. The meeting also can be viewed via the livestream at springfieldtown ship.net.
