The shrubs are planted and the Econo Lodge in Lakeland is one step closer to being in compliance with City code for its violations.
Three representatives of the property appeared before Lakeland Judge Kim Koratsky Wednesday (1.15.20) in Municipal Court at City Hall on code violations regarding their landscaping and exterior lighting.
Appearing yesterday were Pete Patel, chief manager; Pravien Patel, who described himself as a “member”; and Diptesh Patel, motel manager. Pete and Pravien are among seven owners of the property at 9822 Huff N Puff Rd.
The Judge asked Forrest Owens, city planner, and Katrina Shields, code enforcement officer, for an update on the case. Mr. Owens said the defendants re-spaced the shrubs along Beverle Rivera Drive as requested and continued the plantings along the street. He said that satisfied the City requirement and he is pleased with the results.
Ms. Shields said planting of the shrubs started within a week of the last court date which was Dec. 18th.
On the lighting issues, the owners are working with MLGW to change the current cobra lights to LED but to date do not have a contract from MLGW.
Judge Koratsky thanked the men for their cooperation, but urged them to stay after MLGW. Regarding the conditional order of a $50 a day fine ordered in December, the Judge said he would stay the fine but would reserve the right to reinstate it if there is not progress on the lighting plan by the next court date.
The case was continued to Feb. 19th to get the lighting into compliance.
Background
- In a November 15, 2018 memorandum from the DRC (Design Review Commission), the motel owners were given a Feb. 1, 2019 date to improve landscaping and comply with Lakeland regulations on signage and update or construct new signs. All façade and lighting improvements were to be installed and/or completed by April 1, 2019.
- Motel 6, which rebranded itself in June 2018 as Econo Lodge, part of the Choice Hotel chain, made renovations which were not in compliance with DRC guidelines.
- The owner has come before the Lakeland Municipal Planning Commission/Design Review Commission (MPC/DRC) for code violations which previously took them to Shelby County Environmental Court.
- In 2017, the owner started painting the building white without prior review and approval by the DRC. The property was cited in August 2017 and on Jan. 18, 2018.
The 1973 property has been in Lakeland longer than there has been a Lakeland, which incorporated in 1977.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
