09/24/1996 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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t. ? ? , variances. He stated that these rooms were 317 square feet, not 285, but that was not made clear on the plans. Mr. Brennan asked if they had considered the other hotels that are being planned. Mr. Jobeson advised that they had, and that their occupancy rate usually ran in the mid to high 80, and they expect the same here and occupancies are high throughout the country. Mr. Rymarczyk advised that they would need about a 28 foot variance for they canopy. Mr. Newberry believed it would be only 20 feet. Mr. Jobeson clarified that the standard rooms are all 317 square feet arid one dimension is 13 feet, 6 inches, but he cannot remember the other. Mr. Brennan pointed out that the parent company was real estate investment trust, and he is concerned that if this tums out to be a bad investment, they will divest themselves from it. He asked what assurance could be given that school buses would not be pulling up to building in the future. Mr. Jobeson responded that they pick their sites carefully, and if the do not find a market that is strong enough they do not enter it. He repeated that their occupancy rates are in the mid to high eighties, and they are a well capitalized company, but no company can predict the future. He can say that, in terms of equity dollars, they are the largest real estate company in the country and have the financial strength to ride out any kind of weather. They own and operate all of their hotels, and they would not let one hotel become anything less than a high quality hotel, because the rest of the chain would have to live with it. He noted that they did have a manager and 24 hour security on site. They expect that this would be a strong and vibrant hoteL He noted'that he, personally, could not get a hotel room in North Olmsted. Mr. Tallon scaled the room size at 299 square feet. Mr. Jobeson stated that they are in the process of redefining the size of the rooms on the plans, but they will request variances for the standard rooms only, there are 26 rooms that are 349 square feet and 23 rooms that are 352 square feet. He clarified that there would be metal halide lights mounted on the build.ing, but they would not object to putting in parking lot lights. Mr. Corsi, representiug the owner of the property, advised that they did have a standard with regard to parking lot lights so this property would have to conform to what is on the adjacent properties. Mr. Jobeson pointed out where the sidewalk was shown on plan along Country Club Boulevard, and •also the driveway easement allowed drivers to go through the parking lot without going out onto_CountryClub Boulevard. Councilman McKay commented that if the zoning code were not upheld, he believed it would be setting the stage for other properties in the city. He also noted that if the city permitted one hotel with cooking facilities, it would appear that every proposed hotel would'have them, and, if these become over extended, there will be vacancies. He, too, believed that these hotels could lead to tenement housing. Mr. Jobeson that there were other prototype buildings, but the room sizes and canopies are standard in all prototypes. He clarified that the canopy would accommodate one way traffic. Mr. Jacko, a resident, questioned what the occupancy rate is in this area, since Mr. Jobeson gave a national rate, and questioned how long a resident would stay in the hotel. Mr. Jobeson stated that there was data from Smith's Travel Research, which indicated that the occupancy rate for Cleveland and the western and southern sub-markets is the mid seventies. No one can predict what the occupancy rate is going to be in the future, but people will not construct hotels when it becomes unprofitable. Right now there is a demand for hotel space in this area and he could not find a hotel in these suburbs. This is a major corporation and would not allow this hotel to degenerate in any way. He repeated that the average stay was 6 to 7 day and the average room rate would depend on what the going rate was in the area, probably between the Hampton Inn and Marriott Courtyard rates. He stated that he paid $69.00 at the Hampton and it was about $99.00 at the Courtyard. Ms. Cameron Alston did not understand why a business traveler needed cooking facilities. Mr. Jobeson stated that they also provided a computer work station, and, even though no one wanted to do a lot of cooking, it was more comfortable to be able to have milk or beer. Mr. Jacko suggested that the reason that Mr. Jobeson could not get a room was because Jack Kemp was in town, and Mrs. Clinton was coming in. Chainnan Tallon advised that the commission would like the prints to be updated for the ne}ct meeting, showing the proper size rooms, the proper footprint of the building; with the driveways shown to be conforming; and the signs to be within the sign ordinances. The plans should also show parking lot 2