Home2Suites {courtesy Hilton}
By Selene Raj
Construction of a hotel located in the Tamarac community of Woodmont has not been without controversy and will soon be presented for a final vote in front of the city commission.
City Spokesperson Sue Zeiler said the project’s site plan and the special exception applications would be presented. If both applications are approved at the meeting, the developers Woodmont Hotel LLC would then submit a building and engineering permit.
“Once the building contract is approved, they are clear to begin construction,” said Zeiler.
On November 4, Rob Johnson, the Community and Development Department planner, presented the revised site plan to the commission during a planning and zoning board meeting.
Woodmont Hotel LLC plans to build a Home2 Suites by Hilton Hotel, located at 7771 Northwest 80 Avenue. It is slated to be four-stories tall and includes 122 units.
They seek approval of their revised site plan to allow for development and ask for a special exception to allow for operation as an ancillary use to a private country club in the S-1 recreational zoning district.
This revised site plan includes hotel amenities such as an office center, gathering area, hotel lobby, fitness room, continental breakfast area, corner market, patio lounge, an indoor pool, and pool patio.
Guests of the hotel would also have access to Woodmont’s clubhouse amenities, including the outdoor pool, restaurant and bar, banquet hall, and pro shop. To meet zoning requirements as a hotel, they must provide the aforementioned services, including a restaurant.
In addition to the buildout of the hotel, 408 trees will also be planted in the area.
One of the many objections residents had to the hotel was an increase in traffic. At the meeting, Johnson shared a traffic impact study prepared by a third-party company, DC engineers, which estimated the new clubhouse and hotel would attract 541 vehicle trips per day, with 35 trips in the peak morning hours, 43 trips in the peak evening hours, and 49 trips on the peak Saturday hour.
They concluded that each of the intersections within the area is projected to operate at an acceptable level of service in the buildout year of 2021.
During the planning and zoning meeting, the city did note that after almost 3,000 Woodmont residents were notified of the proposed hearing, and of the 49 emails, 46 were opposed to the hotel. However, Johnson said the applicant provided 79 signed petitions in support of the proposed hotel.
Among residents’ concerns was an increase in traffic, an unobstructed view from the hotel’s upper floors into residents’ private homes, proximity to schools and bus stops, and depreciation of surrounding property values.
“You want us to be content with all the adverse effects a hotel will bring? No one in their right mind wants a hotel in their backyard,” said resident Cynthia Lazar, “No one with a true concern for Tamarac, and not their own pockets would approve this.”
On Wednesday, December 9, the commission will vote at their first regular commission. The meeting can be viewed online, and residents can submit comments.
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