MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Marriott Courtyard Hotel was an item of discussion at the Feb. 2 Meridian Township Board meeting.

The 67,000 square foot building would be placed on the corner of Jolly Road and Okemos Road, on the same area as Starbucks and the restaurant Stillwater are located.

The hotel plans on providing all of the necessary requirements for the area of the four-story building, including 99 parking spots.

Marriott acquired a special use permit regarding the size of the building from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Treasurer Julie Brixie said she was concerned about the traffic, since it is already a busy area, but that a hotel would not cause much more traffic. Brixie said the area needs more hotels.

A traffic study was conducted, and the Ingham County had no concerns over the additional traffic the building would cause. The road department also reviewed the traffic study.

Trustee Ron Styka also thought the place to be a good location for a hotel, and that the traffic will be much less than if a retail store were placed.

"I think the plans that we're seeing are looking pretty good," Styka said.

Trustee John Veenstra said he agreed with Styka, but that his concern is left turns to and from Jolly and Okemos Roads, but Supervisor Elizabeth LeGoff said the road department will look at the project if they feel as if that is a concern.

The Marriott Courtyard was a discussion item at Tuesday night's meeting, and the Township Board has yet to approve it.