Pataskala hears ordinance to tighten rules on extended‑stay hotels after zoning ‘loophole’ found

At a public hearing, Pataskala City staff presented an ordinance to amend multiple chapters of the city’s codified ordinances to regulate extended‑stay hotels and close what staff called a zoning “loophole.” Scott, a staff member, said the change responds to projects built in commercial zoning districts that function as long‑term residences but have been licensed as hotels.

City staff told the council the ordinance would add new definitions to Chapter 1203 for “dwelling” and “hotel,” define “hotel—extended stay” (stays over 30 days even if shorter leases are available), and explicitly add extended‑stay hotels as a conditional use in the RM (multifamily residential) district. The amendments also update Chapter 1249 (general business district) to clarify that hotels are a permitted use and revise Chapter 1277 (formerly titled “hotels and motels”) to cover both hotels and extended‑stay hotels. Chapter 1291 (parking and loading) would be amended to include extended‑stay hotels in the hotel parking requirements.

Scott said municipalities nearby have seen developers use general business zoning to build extended‑stay hotels that operate like apartments without rezoning to multifamily, thereby avoiding more restrictive development standards such as density, parking and lot‑area requirements. “Essentially, if they're going to act like apartments, they will be treated as apartments,” Scott said. He told the council the zoning committee began work on the proposal in February and that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval on July 2.

The presentation summarized the zoning changes and cross‑references in the city code; no final vote on the ordinance was recorded at the hearing. After the presentation the meeting moved quickly to adjournment; a motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Andy, seconded by Councilmember Galick, and the roll call recorded affirmative votes for Walter, Coleman, Campmire and Galick.

Background and what would change: under the proposed language, a traditional hotel — where guest stays are typically 30 days or less — remains distinguished from an extended‑stay hotel defined by longer resident occupancy. When an extended‑stay facility is expected to function like multi‑family housing, the ordinance would subject it to the conditional‑use process appropriate for multifamily development, and apply parking standards consistent with residential uses.

No schedule for further council action or a final ordinance vote was stated during the public hearing. Planning and zoning’s July 2 recommendation and the zoning committee’s earlier work were cited as the primary procedural history provided to councilmembers.