April 30--LEWIS CENTER, Ohio -- The hotel bills itself as a "romantic retreat," a place where couples can enjoy massages, chocolate-dipped strawberries and beds sprinkled with rose petals.

And in Delaware County, a group of residents wants nothing to do with it.

"We're not going to stop fighting," said Anne Arline, 36, an Orange Township mother of three.

Dozens of residents showed up yesterday for a special township trustees meeting called to address mounting opposition to the planned hotel off Gooding Boulevard.

Opponents mobilized weeks ago after they caught wind that Belamere Suites of Perrysburg, in northern Ohio, wanted to build a getaway for lovers on undeveloped land near the community swimming pool. They formed the Orange Township Community Watch and built a website where users can find a petition to keep Belamere Suites out.

"It just doesn't fit with the community," said Arline, one of the watch's founders.

Belamere's plans call for a complex of three buildings that would include 24 hotel rooms, said township zoning inspector Tom Farahay. The hotel would be within walking distance of North Orange Park and day-care and pediatric centers, placing adult play too close to child play, residents said.

"It's a family-friendly recreational area, and that kind of adult recreation doesn't fit," said township resident Nicole Beach.

The original Belamere Suites opened in Perrysburg in 2003. Online reviews and YouTube tours show that some of the rooms come with attached garages and have no windows.

Inside, the rooms look tidy and luxurious. Some feature fireplaces, two-person showers and private, lighted pools. Daily rates start at $139 and top out at $339 for 1,500-square-foot Royal Pool Suites, according to the hotel website.

Belamere representatives did not return messages yesterday.

Perrysburg police say they have little problem with the hotel, logging only a few theft calls and three domestic disputes in nine years.

Still, Orange Township residents worry that the hotel would drive down property values and leave residents uncomfortable in their own public park.

"All the money we've invested there, we don't want to throw that away," said resident Jim Hahn.

Farahay said that, so far, he has received plans only for the hotel's administration building. He has found a few issues that need adjusting, but they have nothing to do with what might go on at the hotel, he said. He has no plans to deny a permit simply because people don't like the business.

Still, he understands this issue won't get the rubber-stamp treatment. He started hearing from the opposition before he got a single plan from Belamere.

"I'm sure that, no matter what I decide," he said, "this is going to go to the courts."

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@LoriKurtzman

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