Clark County seeks halt to pool, party businesses at private home

The Clark County Combined Health District and community development want a judge to stop operation of a commercial pool and other businesses at a private residence in Harmony Twp. where a 10-year-old nearly drowned earlier this month, health officials said.

County Prosecutor Andy Wilson filed papers this week for an injunction in Clark County Common Pleas Court against Eric Johnson and Tracy Barton, owners of the Katmandu, 9027 E. National Road.

“Injunctions are last resort efforts to get places to be safe,” said Larry Shaffer, director of environmental health.

Shaffer said health district officials warned the business in July 2015 that it was operating its party-rental space with a pool without proper pool licenses.

The investigation was closed in November 2015 after the owners confirmed they were not selling any pool memberships, according to records obtained by the Springfield News-Sun.

Shaffer said after learning the pool was still operating, he requested the rental contract March 30, but never received it.

Daniel Evans Jr., a Springfield resident who rented the facility for his family’s weekend party earlier this month where Emir Roblero, 10, nearly drowned, has told the News-Sun he is upset the business was still advertising a pool.

“I wouldn’t have thought to check into their background because I’d heard so many good things about the place,” said Evans, who rented the space that included the pool for Sunday.

Emir was rescued from the pool and flown to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, according to a Clark County Sheriff’s Office report.

After the near drowning, the business was still advertising the pool as part of the rental on its website. The website was not operating on Friday.

Even if the business were to apply for a license, the construction of the pool is also not appropriate for public swimming pool zoning, according to the health district records.

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