Dilapidated conditions at a hotel, along with failure to comply with the zoning resolution, led the Springfield Township trustees to take action.
At the July 18 meeting, Administrator Mike Hampton presented photographs of the Quality Inn, 1401 East Mall Drive, which according to the Lucas County auditor’s office is owned by Shivneri LLC.
The pictures indicate– among other things–hotel rooms are being occupied in excess of the maximum 30 days and one photo shows a box fan in an upper-level window.
“They are operating out of their license and as an apartment complex. It’s not good,” Mr. Hampton said.
The photos also show evidence of disrepair. “The landscaping is horrible,” he noted, adding that shopping carts parked on the property are taken back and forth by residents who visit the nearby Spring Meadows retail complex.
He also pointed out that a car, sitting in the hotel lot, appears to have mechanical issues and hasn’t been moved. There also are box trucks sitting in the lot.
“It’s a problem,” he said of the hotel, adding there have been a number of visits by the sheriff’s deputies “and a week ago federal agents were there.”
The administrator described the hotel as an “eyesore and not something we want in our township.”
The trustees authorized township legal counsel to initiate action declaring the hotel a nuisance property.
In a related matter, Mr. Hampton said Red Roof Inn, which had been a problem, is now under new ownership and plans to reopen as a Travel Lodge or Baymont Inn.
He noted the new owners know of its past issues and are “aware of what needs to be done.”
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Received an update from Mr. Hampton on Sawmill Run with regard to residents who had built fences and other structures on township-owned land at the rear of their properties. Letters were sent out to the 19 property owners, he said, adding they are working with residents and have met with a few of them.
•Heard from Andy Hohlbein, director of public services, that the July dumpster days filled nine 40-yard and one 30-yard bins.
•Reviewed the June police report from the Lucas County sheriff’s office and heard an update from resource officer Aalea Robertson. She is continuing to work on community engagement, including plans to offer residents a citizens police academy, which she hopes to have in place early next year. She also is planning to host a series of “coffee with a cop” events for residents to discuss any concerns.
•Learned that rock salt will cost $0.71 cents per ton more this year, or $53.65 per ton. The contract obtained through ODOT is with Cargill, Mr. Hohlbein said.
•Announced that Lisa Chamberlain is stepping down as a board member of the Joint Economic Development Zone due to moving out of state.
“She definitely will be missed,” said Trustee Bob Bethel.
•Paid bills from July 6 to 18 totaling $145,923 including the quarterly payment to the Lucas County sheriff’s office. They also approved electronic payments from July 1 to 14 of $403,122 which includes the biweekly payroll of $274,011, the board members stipend of $825, and the elected officials payment of $10,162.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Monday, August 1, at the township meeting room, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public. The meeting also may be viewed on livestream at springfield township.net.
