BUTLER TWP — “Synergy,” says developer Randall Hake is the reason he wants to build a hotel on 2 1/4 acres on North Duffy Road.

“The growth of Butler Township. Access to Route 422. The Butler VA hospital definitely had something to do with it,” said Hake, vice president of Cedarwood Development of Ohio, owner of the lot. “But it’s really the synergy of the entire Butler Commons/Butler Crossing complex.”

On Tuesday night Hake presented his proposal to build a Holiday Inn Express to the township planning commission, which gave it’s blessing for the plan to move to the township commissioners for consideration. The commissioners will take up the plan April 15.

If approved, construction could begin in months and be complete by years’ end, said project engineer James Harshman of HMT and Associates.

The plan is to build a four-story, 80-room hotel that will have an indoor swimming pool, a fitness area and breakfast area. It will not have a restaurant or bar.

The property just north of Walmart off Route 356 already is zoned for commercial use.

Hake said, “We’re primarily expecting business travelers, families visiting the area and people visiting loved ones at the VA.”

The hotel which will employ about 20 people.