Agenda - Council - 10/22/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Community Development Director Gladhill commented that there is not a Council liaison on the Planning Commission. He noted that there are two members of the Council on the Economic Development Authority, which reviews deal structures. Councilmember Riley noted that he is a member of the EDA and advised that the group reviewed this as a high-level concept and the consensus was to direct staff to continue to pursue the project with no preference between the two sites. He stated that he is also excited that there is another retail component potentially located adjacent to this hotel. Community Development Director Gladhill stated that similar comments were made from the Planning Commission, although the Commission deferred to the EDA as they viewed it as more of a real estate management aspect. He noted that the Planning Commission was supportive of both options. Councilmember Kuzma stated that there has been a push for more restaurants in the community and this hotel would have a restaurant and would be a good addition to the community. Mayor LeTourneau noted that Councilmember Kuzma also serves on the EDA and that is where his input came from. Councilmember Menth recognized that there are no drawings but asked if there would be an idea on the number of stories or rooms. Community Development Director Gladhill commented that this would be a four-story building with 60 guest suites with a footprint just under 10,000 square feet. Councilmember Heinrich asked if staff can elaborate on the developer of the other proposed hotel project, as it was her understanding that the developer is no longer under contract with the landowner and therefore the deal has gone cold. Community Development Director Gladhill stated that it is the understanding of staff that the original timeline has expired, and the property may not be under contract any longer. He stated that it would be likely that only one hotel would move forward and it appears that this project may be more promising at this time. He noted that the other project was pursuing grant funds that were not awarded. He stated that staff is not spending additional time on the previous project unless additional requests are brought forward. Councilmember Heinrich stated that it seems that this hotel would be more promising being closer to Highway 10. Motion by Councilmember Riley, seconded by Councilmember Kuzma, to confirm consensus of the Planning Commission and EDA that the City is generally supportive of both site concepts for further evaluation. City Council / September 24, 2019 Page 9 of 14