Key Inn Demolition Bids, Fairlane Drive Teardown Notice and Held Ordinances Top Macedonia Council Night

Macedonia is moving closer to clearing two long troubled properties. At its Oct. 8 meeting, City Council approved bids for demolishing the Key Inn and started the formal process to tear down a vacant house at 8246 Fairlane Drive. Council also held two ordinances so the wording can be improved. Council Clears Path to Bid Out Key Inn Demolition Council passed Resolution 66 on three readings by title. The measure lets the building commissioner prepare plans, bids and specifications. It also allows the mayor to advertise for bids to demolish the Key Inn at 311 E. Highland Road. Mayor Nicholas Molnar called the vote a major step after a long process. Legally, he said, the city has reached the point where the work can move ahead, though more steps remain. Earlier council action on the building is covered in Macedonia Approves Hotel Demolition, Advances Drive Through Law . Officials said passing the resolution could help the city as it pursues grant money for the project. Costs are expected to be certified to the tax duplicate. That would let the city recover its spending over time, though officials noted there is no guarantee the city gets all of it back. Fairlane Drive House Heads Toward Demolition Council also voted that an emergency exists and authorized a notice under Codified Ordinance 1385.11. The notice states the city’s intent to demolish the structures at 8246 Fairlane Drive. Building Commissioner Nino Monaco described a property that has troubled the city for years. The tenant left about a year ago, and the power was shut off. A sump pump in the basement stopped working, which left the basement filling with water. Staff struggled to enter because of a powerful odor. The fire department lent a drone, and that allowed photos of the inside. Neighbors on both sides have complained about the smell. The city has not been able to reach the owner. It has also mowed the lawn, adding to its costs. Estimates and Next Steps Monaco presented three estimates at $9,200, $15,000 and $18,643. He recommended the lowest bidder, a company that has already completed teardowns in the city. Law Director Mark Guidetti said the motion only authorizes the notice. It goes to the owner and the mortgage lender. Council can return after at least 30 days to authorize the demolition. Two Ordinances Held for Rewrites Council did not vote on Ordinance 48 or Ordinance 61. Members want to refine both first. Ordinance 48 and Drive Through Bypass Lanes Ordinance 48 would amend Section 1171.08 to require a separate bypass lane beside drive through lanes. It carries the name “Megan’s Way Out.” The draft calls for a lane at least 10 feet wide. The Planning Commission backed the idea Sept. 23 after broadening the definition of a drive through facility, as covered in Macedonia Denies 7-Eleven Training Center, Backs Drive Through Law . Council leaned toward grandfathering existing businesses. Guidetti said five other communities have passed or are weighing similar rules. Three apply some retroactivity, and one sets a trigger when renovations reach half of a property’s tax value. Members also want to make sure routine repaving is not treated as a major renovation. Guidetti will circulate draft language by email. Molnar said he has spoken with the family connected to the ordinance, and they plan to attend the vote. Ordinance 61 and Contractor Rules Ordinance 61 would update Section 1361.13, the homeowner exemption in the contractor rules. Homeowners would file an affidavit describing their work. Anyone employed in the residential construction trade would face contractor registration rules. Council members support the affidavit but worry the code could confuse readers. One example raised was a relative with engineering experience who helps a homeowner with electrical work. Guidetti agreed to clarify the language, and council held the measure. Monaco said the city would build the form after council acts. Hotels and Housing Keep Moving Monaco gave a rundown of three hotel projects. A proposed Fairfield Inn would replace part of the existing Knights Inn site at 240 E. Highland Road. The Planning Commission raised concerns about two driveways onto Highland Road, which sit near the bridge. The developer is seeking an alternative. Earlier discussion appears in Citizens Bank Makes First Pitch for Macedonia Commons Branch as Planning Commission Also Weighs Fairfield Inn Access . A Holiday Inn is under construction, and crews are installing the monument sign. A third hotel has a new owner who has improved the landscaping. Monaco also noted that a 54 unit development has about 40 units spoken for. Another community has six or seven homes under construction, with 12 to 14 sold and a second phase about to begin. Service Building and Mayor’s Reminders Molnar reported the new service building is on track for a Dec. 26, 2026 finish. Drywall is going up, and exterior work is nearly done. The weather has helped. The mayor reminded residents that political signs must