The Midland Motor Inn had operated as a transient hotel, which is a non-conforming use under current zoning regulations. Since the July 22, 2015 fire it has been closed. Since the fire, and for a continuous period of more than two years, the active operation of the non-conforming use (as a transient hotel) was discontinued. Under the city’s zoning laws, the existing building and land can now only be used for a CONFORMING use. This means that it can no longer be used as a transient hotel.
A transient hotel includes living or sleeping for transient occupancy; permits daily rentals; and provides 24-hour desk service, including housekeeping, telephone, or bellhop service, etc. The existing zone permits various residential uses but specifically excludes transient hotels.
BP Oddo said, “This is great news for the Midland Beach community, and indeed all of Staten Island. Residents were forced to endure the operation of this facility and all the ills it brought to the community for what seemed like an eternity. Despite my best efforts as a City Council Member and Borough President to shut this place down, the facility continued to give rise to many of the ills that plagued the community. I am hopeful that the property will be used for some good in the future, though practically any use would be better than its prior use. What is clear is that a transient hotel, like the Midland Motor Inn, will not be permitted to operate there in the future. For far too long, like Jason Voorhees in the Friday the 13th movies, it stubbornly refused to die; but now since its operation was discontinued for so long it is dead.”
Some used that would be permitted under the Zoning Resolution include: residences (as part of a mixed use building), community facilities, such as doctor’s offices, schools, nursing homes, houses of worship, retail stores, and similar uses