BELLE ISLE, Fla. — An abandoned Belle Isle lot could soon be the site of an extended stay motel, much to the irritation of area residents.
The motel would be built along McCoy road, next to a residential neighborhood.
Some of those living in the area are asking city officials if revenue from the motel is worth the risks they say it would present.
Mark Newman has lived in his Belle Isle home for 15 years. He lives just steps away from McCoy Road.
He said he can live with the traffic noise but has no interest in living with an extended stay motel.
"That kind of thing is going to bring people that are more transient in and you don't know what's going to happen," Newman said.
The proposal is to build a Wood Springs Suites in Newman's neighborhood.
In July, the city voted to allow the four-story building to go in, but because there was no public notice, the vote was rescinded.
"I think people should have a vote. I think people should at least have a say in it. I don't feel good about it," Newman said.
A presentation by motel officials said the property would be primarily for travelers and vacationers, and about 4 percent of those who would use the property would be considered families in crisis.
If built, the hotel will have 122 rooms, five full-time employees and five to seven part-time employees, according to hotel officials.
Officials with the hotel company said they will install 17 cameras around the property and the parking lots will be lit.
Officials estimate the hotel would bring $15,000 to $18,000-a-year to the city in revenue.
Some said there are already hotels along the same stretch of road and one more is not going to be a problem for anyone.
Belle Isle city leaders will vote again on the proposal, but will do so with public input.