Transient Public Lodging - What was that all about?

The first item under Public Hearings last night concerned the addition of a definition in the zoning code for "transient public lodging."  In so doing,  the definitions of "Hotel" and "Motel" were removed from the zoning code and included under the new definition.  Since it is a change to the definition section, it is not specific to any one area of the city.  It would be used in whatever zoning district allows "transient public lodging" - which would happen to include the area along North and South Federal Highway, but not exclusively.

The reason for the change is to establish some sort of city regulation of hotel guests.  Right now, someone could stay in one of the city's hotels or motels indefinitely and essentially use it like a rental apartment.  There is no maximum length of stay.  In addition to establishing a 60 day maximum stay and the need to have another permanent address somewhere else, there are now requirements written into the new definition that mandate record keeping, payment of the bed tax and inspections.  This documentation needs to be kept on site.  In essence, if the city can keep up with the inspection of two dozen, according to Mr. Bergman, of these sorts of facilities, we will have a better chance at preventing these hotels/motels to be used as longer term rental housing.

Commissioner Mulvehill was concerned about the use of the word "transient" and thought that a better word could be found that didn't have as negative a connotation.  Commissioner Golden made a big deal about the types of people that use these facilities and if this won't just allow the same people to continue to use them.  She didn't seem to understand that this actually puts in a framework to regulate these sorts of uses where none exist now.  She complained about the small size of these units and thought that the addition of kitchen units made the situation worse.  (Whether or not kitchens are part of this use will be depend on other building code requirements and was not part of the new definition)

So, in answer to the One High Vice Mayor Commissioner Golden, let's find ways to build living units of ample size, for owner occupants or renters, that have decent, larger kitchen facilities and contribute to the city's tax base.  Units such as these would not attract the same people as small hotel/motel rooms with cooking facilities.  Funny, wouldn't townhouses or other multi-family buildings provide that solution?

Remember this slide show showing the overall VACANT condition of property along South Federal Hwy?

Many of the former hotel properties are fallow, minimal tax producing land.  Let's ask the question what we would like to see there and find ways to make the city an attractive place to invest and do business.  Then we may not have the "same people" that are using the area now as flophouses.  Let me know how that works out.