LUCERNE – The owners of two lakeside motels are moving forward with the process of demolishing the buildings in the wake of a Board of Supervisors vote last month that promised to take action if the structures didn't come down by spring.
The Lake Sands Resort, located at 6335 E. Highway 20, and the Lucerne Motel, 6339 E. Highway 20, are owned by Dominic Affinito. However, Affinito's son, Robert, said he currently is in charge of the buildings and their demolition, as well as plans to replace them with a new hotel.
Lake County Building Official David Jezek said Friday that a demolition permit had been pulled for the pilings for the buildings' piers.
Jezek said the owners were in the process of doing other “investigation” in preparation for pulling a permit to demolish the buildings themselves.
“I'm doing it in stages,” said Robert Affinito, who lives in Fort Bragg.
Affinito said he started with the piers and docks, which appeared dangerous. “If we have a rough winter I was afraid it might fall into the water and we'd have a real big mess.”
He got the permits about two weeks ago and the process seems to be moving along, he said. He said the county is being helpful in the process.
Once the piers are done, the Lucerne Motel, which hangs over the water, will be next.
Code Enforcement Manager Voris Brumfield provided Lake County News with a draft abatement time line for the project, which began when the Affinitos pulled the pier demolition permit late last month.
Brumfield's time line included the information that Jackson Equipment is demolition contractor, with Ralph Curran Co. acting as asbestos contractor for the older buildings.
The first permit, for the docks, piers, landing and sea wall, is under way now, with a 30-day schedule, allowing for winter weather.
Then it would be the Lucerne Motel, with the work to start within a week of the demolition permit being issued. If asbestos is found, the time line calls for halting taking down the building until the asbestos is removed.
The Lucerne Motel is supposed to be down completely by Feb. 1, according to the information provided by Brumfield.
On Feb. 1, with the Lucerne Motel down, it would then be time to seek the Lake Sands' demolition permit, with demolition once again required to start within a week of the permit being issued.
The Lake Sands' demolition is required to be completed by March 1, pending winter weather and the completion of the Lucerne Motel project, according to the time line.
Affinito noted that the county “pushed us” into demolishing the buildings. “I didn't understand why until I started looking closer.”
Although he said that no one likes to be forced into doing things, “The reality of it is it needs to be done.”
Affinito now has a designer working on plans for a new hotel, which he said would have 50 to 60 units and accommodate people for more than just one night.
“That's my plan, anyway, and I'm hoping everything falls into position,” Affinito said, adding, “The economy isn't that great right now.”
Specifically, he said he's working with Choice Hotels International on a Mainstay Suites, which is an extended stay hotel, according to the company's Web site. Mainstays usually include studio and one-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens.
Affinito said his family gives their thoughts on the project but he's in the lead. “My father just gives me advice and I do what I think is right.”
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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