Title
Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on a Meritorious Exception for Holiday Inn Express, Located Approximately 1,865 Feet East of Alma Road and on the South Side of Henneman Way
Summary
MEETING DATE: March 10, 2015
DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT: Brandon Opiela, Planning Manager
Eleana Galicia, Planner I
APPROVAL PROCESS: The action of the Planning and Zoning Commission for the proposed meritorious exception may be appealed by the applicant to the City Council
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends denial of the proposed meritorious exception request due to the lack of masonry exterior finishing materials used in the construction of the building.
APPLICATION SUBMITTAL DATE: January 26, 2015 (Original Application)
February 9, 2015 (Revised Submittal)
March 2, 2015 (Revised Submittal)
ITEM SUMMARY: The applicant is requesting a meritorious exception to the Architectural Standard and Site Standards section of the Zoning Ordinance for a hotel (Holiday Inn Express). The applicant has indicated in the letter of intent that the design and exterior finishing materials are dictated by the franchisor, InterContinental Hotel Group, and the look and feel of the structure promotes a national brand that enhances the ability to attract hotel guests. The applicant is proposing to utilize primarily stucco as an exterior finishing material, with cultured stone in limited areas as shown on the attached elevations.
The meritorious exception is being requested because the proposed architectural elevations:
1. Do not meet the required minimum 50 percent masonry cover each exterior wall.
The applicant has submitted an associated site plan (15-022SP), which was approved by Staff on February 25, 2015.
On February 24, 2015, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to table the item to the March 10, 2015 meeting and requested the applicant revise the proposed architectural elevations to provide a minimum of 50 percent approved masonry material(s) on each elevation. Subsequent to the meeting, the applicant modified the architectural elevations to provide 34 percent stone on the North Elevation, 32 percent stone on the West Elevation, 32 percent stone on the South Elevation, and 27 percent stone on the East Elevation. The applicant has also revised the architectural renderings to reflect the increase of masonry materials per elevation and it is to be used for informational purposes only.