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Sunbury council hears plan for Northport Residential Hotel; applicant describes long‑stay ‘residential hotel’ use
Summary
Metro Development presented plans for a seven‑building, 270‑space residential-hotel project on 6.369 acres; planners described architectural and landscaping enhancements requested by Planning & Zoning and counsel explained residential-hotel licensing under Ohio rules.
Sunbury City Council took public testimony Jan. 8 on a rezoning application from Metro Development for a project the applicant calls Northport Residential Hotel, a commercial hotel-style development on about 6.369 acres along State Route 3637.
Joe Thomas of Metro Development outlined the site's history, annexation timeline and development program, saying the project includes seven hotel buildings, five garage buildings, a pool and clubhouse, and 270 parking spaces. He told council the site was annexed into the city in October 2024 after earlier consideration under a Berlin Township business-overlay process.
Todd Ferris of Ferris Planning and Design described revisions made after Planning & Zoning Commission review. Ferris said the applicant added masonry treatments and enhanced elevations along the SR 3637 frontage and the future Sunbury Parkway, upgraded garage elevations that will serve as a visual buffer, and added landscaping—including evergreens, ornamental trees and a horse fence-style element—to improve the parkway-facing streetscape.
Jill Tangeman, representing the applicant, told the council that the term ‘‘residential hotel’’ is specifically defined in the Ohio Revised Code and is licensed by the State Fire Marshal. She said residential hotels are built to hotel construction standards, are licensed differently than apartment buildings, and typically serve guests who stay longer term; she added that Ohio code sets a 30‑day minimum stay for residential hotels.
Council members raised technical questions about lighting and safety. Council asked whether the applicant planned to lower or raise parking-lot illumination levels; Thomas said the applicant seeks flexibility to finalize lighting during detailed engineering, not to reduce safety standards, and noted that the project will include site cameras, 24/7 emergency phone coverage and other security measures.
Staff and the applicant said the site will include pedestrian connections to a future Sunbury Parkway multi-use trail and community sidewalks, and that an access drive reserved for fire apparatus is expected to be retained as a pedestrian pathway when no longer needed for emergency access.
The rezoning application remains at first reading. Staff said Planning & Zoning requested enhancements that the applicant incorporated and that final engineering will address specific items such as lighting and utility locations; council will consider the ordinance in subsequent readings.
