Beyond that, other actions to address the situation are also beginning to take shape. For starters, the city has recently acquired the next-door, dilapidated Horizon Inn, which has been sitting vacant since 2007.

Baity also said the city is working on an ordinance that would limit the long-term stays at the city’s hotels and motels, specifically to limit long-term stays at Americas Best Value Inn and the Econo Lodge, as well as Unicity Inn & Suites on the east side of town.

Baity said that ordinance -- which would set parameters for square footage and requirements such as cooking facilities for long-term dwelling -- likely will be presented to the Carbondale City Council in November or December for its consideration.

Baity said it would be up to the council to determine what constitutes a stay that’s too long in one of these hotels or motels.

But Neal Patel, the owner of Americas Best and Econo Lodge, said Friday he doesn’t understand the problem. He said that he is being unfairly targeted by Hunan’s San for problems that are created by the storage garage company located behind both businesses, and other loitering that he is not responsible for regulating.