Canton seeks emergency injunction for Noce Motel
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
The Noce Motel at 1948 W. Chestnut St. in Canton Township
The Noce Motel at 1948 W. Chestnut St. in Canton Township
A Washington County judge granted part of Canton Township’s request for an emergency preliminary injunction Thursday at the Noce Motel, 1948 W. Chestnut St.
The township contends the motel rooms became apartment units without going through a required review, and that there are hazards that present “an immediate danger to human life.”
The owner, Dennis Locy, who represented himself Thursday morning before Judge Michael Lucas, said the property is an extended-stay motel with nine units and a two-bedroom apartment on which he has spent more than $70,000 in improvements since he purchased it two years ago.
Lucas ordered the covering of ceilings and electrical outlets, equipping rooms with operational fire extinguishers and leveling walkways. If the work is not completed by 4 p.m. today, all persons must vacate units with these deficiencies.
Locy called these “minor infractions that can be fixed. I’ll work around the clock ’til 4 o’clock to make sure everything’s done.”
The owner said he began an eviction proceeding against a tenant in February, and the person, who still lives on the premises as an appeal progresses, complained to Canton Township, which in March informed Locy he must comply with a registration fee for new tenants.
“They told me in advance they were coming to do an inspection,” Locy said. “I had nothing to hide.”
He complained Thursday that he is the subject of a witch hunt.
Solicitor Christopher Furman said in court papers that Harshman Civil Engineering Group, conducting the inspection of the property on behalf of the township, found rooms that appear to lack fire separators required in the International Building Code; rooms that do not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and several other deficiencies.
Lucas ordered that before noon Monday, “all combustible materials shall be removed from the garage located on the premises and all uncovered portions of the garage ceiling shall be covered with appropriate drywall and fire tape.”
A hearing on the issues is scheduled before President Judge Katherine B. Emery for Thursday of next week, when “the township’s request to have all residents vacate the subject facility may be considered,” Lucas wrote.