Meanwhile, the city says it can't stop him. He has all of the necessary permits in hand and the plans meet city codes. "Once that happens, the city can do nothing to stop it," says James Young, the mayor's spokesman.

A planning department official emphasizes the city isn't empowered to dictate "what can be put on a property." Griggs already has downsized his motel plans from two stories to one to placate irate neighbors.

Griggs' motel ventures are tailored to truckers, who need to sleep at all hours. That, he says, is why he charges hourly rates of $12 or two hours for $18. That hourly rate is at the crux of the opposition from Glenshire and Braeburn Valley West property owners, whose homes range upward of $100,000.