JENNINGS, Fla. — The Jennings Town Council will begin work on ridding the Interstate 75 interchange in Jennings of migrant housing.

The Budget Lodge and North Florida Inn are permitted as migrant housing by the state.

According to Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners’ attorney Cliff Adams, the commercial highway interchange zoning for those properties prohibit dwelling units. 

At the Sept. 6 meeting, Adams spoke to the council about pursuing legal options to potentially get rid of the migrant housing.

The county and city are hoping to promote economic development at the interchange. 

“Our first three exits are our biggest assets,” Adams said.

The first step in the process is to have written and signed complaints. 

Adams prepared one on behalf of the commissioners and two property owners near the motels also submitted one. 

“I am asking you here tonight to set this progress in motion,” Adams said. 

With the complaints, Town Manager George Glover can investigate whether there is illegal or inappropriate use of the property. 

According to Adams, the motels are licensed as migrant housing by the state but state licenses do not supersede local zoning laws.

Adams said the current license will expire Sept. 30.

The council approved for Glover to investigate and ask the state to not renew the license.