Liberty Township is asking a Butler County judge Thursday, July 16, to immediately block two Granada Court homes from renting out short-term while a zoning violation lawsuit proceeds.

A temporary restraining order hearing is set for 9 a.m. before Common Pleas Court Judge Greg Stephens.

The township sued the property owners days after shots were fired at one home during a May 3 after-prom party. No one was hurt, but a bullet struck a window. The township had already notified the owners they were violating zoning code by renting the homes for under 30 days.

The township's view

The township wants Stephens to block the short-term rentals immediately—essentially as the case proceeds—and ultimately uphold its zoning rules to ban them altogether.

Township leaders say the homes have operated as hotels in a residential neighborhood, drawing complaints for years. The shooting was a breaking point.

Liberty Township Trustee Tom Farrell declined to discuss the pending litigation Tuesday with Fox 19 News but said the township's position is clear: short-term rentals do not belong in neighborhoods where residents bought forever homes.

"Hotels have security to protect their guests, short-term rentals do not. The safety of our residents should always be at the top of our list," Farrell said.

The property and ownership

The property listed in the incident report as owned by Jason Ross is advertised on Vrbo, Zillow and other sites as available for rent. Property records show the home was sold to Plumtree Rentals LLC under a land contract in May 2024, with Ross listed as the member/purchaser. Ross has declined to comment on the shooting or lawsuit.

What happens Thursday

The hearing will determine whether the judge grants a temporary restraining order blocking the rentals while the case proceeds. If granted, the township would likely seek a preliminary injunction to extend the block through trial.