Planning Commission Approves Hotel Parking Plan Modification, Discusses Traffic Safety Concerns, and Sets Landscaping Conditions

Hotel Parking Plan Modification

The meeting began with a detailed discussion regarding a modification to a previously approved conditional use for a six-unit hotel above a restaurant. The applicant sought to modify the parking plan and add an additional hotel unit. The primary focus was the parking area, which was initially off-site but near the building's rear. The applicant proposed changes to the parking configuration, including ingress and egress adjustments from the alleyway instead of Avenue A, following discussions with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

The Planning Director highlighted the need for a 10-foot landscape buffer from the highway right-of-way, which the applicant addressed by altering the parking layout. The applicant provided a detailed landscape plan, though a timeline for implementation was not initially provided. The applicant's architect, Rayfield Goodblack, explained the rationale behind these changes, emphasizing safety and cost-effectiveness. He noted that the revised plan would save costs related to moving a power pole and fire hydrant, which was estimated to take 48 weeks.

Public comments were invited, but no opposition was voiced. The applicant and their team reiterated their commitment to safety and compliance with regulations, and they expressed their goal of opening the hotel by August.