The Fort Lauderdale Nuisance Abatement Board on Oct. 9 declared Hometown Studios, 3031 West Commercial Boulevard, a public nuisance and adopted an order requiring the owner to install lighting, post trespass signage and submit weekly compliance reports, while imposing a timeline for other security and payment changes.

The board’s action follows what a Fort Lauderdale detective described as “127 calls over the past 6 months, kinda high, and 30 calls since September 9,” including multiple trespass, domestic disturbance, narcotics and robbery calls and a Sept. 24 search warrant that led to arrests and the recovery of crack cocaine from Room 221. The order says the property has 128 guest rooms plus one manager’s unit (129 total) and directs several immediate steps intended to reduce criminal activity and loitering.

Why it matters: the board’s order places enforceable deadlines on the owner, requires cooperation with police, and carries financial penalties for noncompliance. The detective told the board the problems concentrated in rear, long‑term portions of the property that are not visible from the front and recommended heightened on‑site checks and a temporary police detail.

Board order and compliance timeline
- Within 14 days: owner must file or update a trespass affidavit with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and post signage identifying the property as under nuisance abatement and monitored by police; the order also required the owner to curb daytime display issues.
- Within 30 days: install and maintain exterior lighting for front, rear, stairways and hallways “according to the City of Fort Lauderdale code requirements,” with placement directed by the investigating detective.
- Within 60 days: maintain fencing in good order to meet city code.
- Security and checks: the detective recommended a 30‑day review that includes two‑officer police details Wednesday–Saturday nights (suggested 11 p.m.–3 a.m.) supplemented by private security; the owner must perform weekly property checks and email status reports and photos to the detective and board clerk.
- Reporting: weekly reports must include an occupant list with photo ID, room numbers and vehicle information; at least one nighttime inspection per month is required.
- Enforcement and costs: the order attributes 50% of the investigative cost ($3,991.24 total; owner share $2,075.62) to the owner and authorizes fines for failures to comply. The order states the city may impose a fine of $250 per day per item for noncompliance.

Owner response and corporate limits
Rob Powell, identified in the discussion as the district manager for Red Roof, told the board some of the recommended measures are subject to corporate policy. Board members and Powell discussed the owner’s payment policy and a proposed change to require a $300 credit‑card deposit and to disallow cash for new reservations. Powell said corporate approval would be required for changes to the deposit policy; he told the board his properties planned to stop taking cash and to move toward card‑on‑file procedures.

During debate the board agreed to suspend enforcement of recommendation number 12 (the increased deposit requirement) for three months to allow the owner time to discuss the change with corporate and implement billing changes, and the suspension passed by voice/roll call vote.

Other property updates
During the Oct. 9 meeting staff also reported routine follow‑ups on other cases on the board’s docket. Inspectors said Lucy’s Meat Market (Northwest Sixth Street), 4 Corners (Northwest Sixth Street), Shop and Save (27 West Sunrise Boulevard) and America’s Best Motel (2935 North Federal Highway) showed improvements since prior inspections, with only sporadic “suspicious incident” calls; the board continued monitoring jurisdiction where appropriate.

Votes at a glance
- Declare nuisance: Hometown Studios (3031 W. Commercial Blvd.) — motion to declare nuisance passed unanimously by roll call; board adopted the recommended compliance order with modifications.
- Suspend recommendation #12 (increase deposit policy) for Hometown Studios — motion to suspend for three months passed (roll call/voice vote recorded at the meeting).
- Accept minutes of Sept. 11, 2025 (as amended to correct meeting location) — motion passed.

What’s next
The order keeps Hometown Studios under the board’s jurisdiction for one year; the owner or representative must appear at the Nov. 13, 2025 meeting to report on compliance. The board said it will revisit the need for police details and other measures after the initial 30‑day period.