Procurement News Notice |
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| PNN | 7263 |
| Work Detail | Danville City Council unanimously approved rezoning land at South Main Street and Fulton Heights for a motel, restaurant and conference center at its Tuesday evening meeting. Applicant Paresh Suthar requested rezoning a total of about 3.5 acres from Old Town Residential to Highway Retail Commercial. Mark Talbert, of Dewberry, said the motel would be a $4.5 million investment and create 13 to 16 full-time jobs. The property is located south of Southwyck Plaza on South Main Street and just north of the bypass. Talbert said the conference center would be a conference room primarily for hotel guests, and the restaurant would be a food service area for those staying at the hotel. Suthar has proffered restrictions on hours and the number of units constructed, Talbert pointed out. However, one resident expressed concerns about traffic entering and exiting the property from Fulton Heights instead of directly from South Main Street. Planning Director Ken Gillie said the city examined the possibility of entrance from South Main, but staff felt there would be no issue with traffic accessing the property from Fulton Heights. The resident asked whether the motel would be a local business or a chain. Talbert said he couldn’t disclose the name of the business, but said it will be a nationally recognized chain. Michael Scearce, speaking for the property’s owners “feel this is a good use for the property and the community.” The tax base of the property will be 100 times what it is now and it will be a quiet use of the property, Scearce said. The building’s maximum height is expected to be 42 feet, and 67 rooms are anticipated. Restaurant hours would be limited to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and to midnight Friday through Sunday. Councilman Fred Shanks said he understood neighbors’ concerns and realized Va. 86 is a thoroughfare into the city. But South Main and Fulton Heights is a “great intersection,” Shanks said. “It will be a lot more dangerous if the entrance were off South Main Street,” Shanks said. Councilman Lee Vogler asked about the buffer between the building and the nearest property. Gillie said there would be a landscape buffer and about 20-30 feet of buffer anticipated. “It’s open to any kind of commercial use if approved,” Gillie said of the property. “We’re not anticipating anything else.” Vogler said there is a great opportunity for growth in the surrounding area. Councilman Larry Campbell asked about the storm water pond and traffic. Gillie said he expects more projects on South Main and if they come to fruition, city staff would look into installing another stoplight farther south. “This intersection does not warrant a light,” Gillie said. Councilman Gary Miller said the shopping center at Southwyck has never been full and the project could help increase business in the area. In other matters, council tabled a proposal to add a member of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors to the Danville Utility Commission. If council adds a seat to the seven-member commission, the city code would have to be amended to reflect the change. The current required make-up of the commission includes six members appointed by City Council, with the seventh member the city manager or acting city manager. Of the six, four must live within the city limits. One must be a customer from outside the city limits. The other can be an at-large customer of the utility system from inside or outside the city. Shanks said he would encourage a public hearing on the question. City Attorney Clarke Whitfield said the city is allowed to do that. Council discussed the matter at length during its work session after the meeting. |
| Country | United States , Northern America |
| Industry | Hotel & Hospitality |
| Entry Date | 15 Oct 2016 |
| Source | http://www.godanriver.com/news/danville/council-clears-way-for-south-main-street-hotel-project/article_7a8d91f2-7499-11e6-b15c-f311dfa9e8ef.html |
