TRUMBULL COUNTY Hubbard Twp. trustees will discuss change in zoning to allow new motel

By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Township trustees will hold a public hearing before their regular September meeting to consider a zone change that would make way for a $3.5 million motel.
The 65-room motel in Hubbard Township is being proposed by Ashok Kochhar, a partner in M.K. International Inc. M.K. owns the Super 8 motel in West Middlesex, Pa.
The facility would be built on a 3-acre parcel at Interstate 80 and west of state Routes 7 and 62 behind McDonald's restaurant. It would front Commerce Drive.
John Pieton, township zoning administrator, said a portion of the parcel is zoned Business 2, which allows for only neighborhood business, such as a convenience store.
Another part is zoned industrial. Pieton said the two parcels would be combined and rezoned Business 4, which allows for the construction of motels.
The land is owned by Quadland Corp. of Hubbard. M.K. has a purchase agreement that rides on the zone change.
Hearing scheduled
Trustees will hold the hearing at 6 p.m. Sept. 13, at the administration building. They could vote on the issue at the monthly meeting, which starts at 7 p.m.
"The only thing we're waiting for is the zone change," Kochhar said Tuesday, noting the motel would most likely be a Best Western.
"Everything is working very smoothly," he added.
The parcel is part of the Hubbard Township/City of Hubbard Joint Economic Development District and has been accepted into the district by its board.
As part of the JEDD, the land remains in the township rather than being annexed into the city.
The city will receive the income tax from the motel employees, and the school district will receive most of the property taxes.
Kochhar said the first deadline of the agreement to buy the land is Sept. 10, but it can be extended 60 days.
Kochhar has said there is a market for a motel in the area because there aren't any facilities in Hubbard and Brookfield townships and he hopes to attract golfers to the area courses.
Kochhar wants to begin construction this year and open in 2005.
yovich@vindy.com