11/07/1996 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Chainnau Gomersall called all interested parties before the board. The oath was admivistered to Mr. Newbei7y, engineer, and Mr. Jobesou, developer. Mr. Gomersall advised that the board was going to vote on each request separately. Mr. Newbeny explained that the 19 foot fiont setback variance was for the cauopy over the front eutrance. These rooms are for extended stay occupancy and typically have kitchen facilities in them_ Mr. Jobeson explained that their hotels are intended for the business traveler who stays approxunately five to seven night, slightly longer than the typical hotel guest. Tlie rooms are desigued for tlus type of use with limited kitchen facilities, work stations, a data port for a computer with a voice mail system. He clarified that the kitchen facilities were not extensive and not actually desigued for real cook'vig but for the guest's convenience with a wet bar, a small two burner cook top and a small refi-igerator. This hotel chain is part of the Security Capital Group wluch is a large, 6 billion dollar compauy wluch will own and operate all their hotels, there would be no franchise type operation. They intend to make Homestead Village one of the premier brands in the lodging industry. They are requesting variances for the cookiug facilities which are integral to extended stay hotels; a variance for the canopy wluch will extend into the front setback; and a variance for the size of a percentage of their rooms wluch are less than the 345 square foot muiunum. He clarified that the size of the rooms are market driven: the standard room has one king size bed intended for one traveler; a king double has two beds for two travelers; and a larger suite type of room. He pointed out that the average size of all rooms would be 341.9 square feet which is just at the 345 square foot required. Mr. Gomersall stated that they are not dealing with averages when discussing the code. He noted that 60 some percent of the rooms are 28% too small. He stated that they could have one room at 500 square feet aud all the rest too small, but the average could still couform. Mr. Jobeson stated that the 345 square feet, was an arbitrary number, not a market driven number. They could reduce the size of the larger rooms and make the others conform, however, he did not believe this would give them a better product. Mr. Gomersall stated it did not appear to be hard to increase the room size since it was not a large amount. Mr. Jobeson stated that enlarging the building could create some changes to the exterior building elevatious, and would affect their furniture layout. He noted that they have developed this product across the country and there was intelligence and reason behind their design, and he ask the board to trust their judgment. Mr. Koberna thought that the arclutect should have been aware of the codes in each community. He noted that this was not the big of a change. It was clarified that Building Commissioner Conway had advised that the rooms could be measured from the outside of the wall. Mr. Newberry stated that the dimension would theu show 320 square feet, but they are only claiming 317. The members advised that they had read all the planning commission and architectural review board minutes pertaining to this. Chairman Gomersall asked that there be a motion for each variance. T. Koberna moved to approve the request of Homestead Village Hotel, located on the south side of Country Club Blvd., east of the proposed Marriott Courtyard, north of I-480, and west of Columbia Road, for a 19 foot front setback variance, seconded by R. Gomersall, and unanimously approved. T. Koberna moved to approve the request of Marriott Courtyard, for a variance to have cooking facilities in all 136 units, seconded by J. Maloney, and unanimously approved. At this point Chairinan Gomersall advised the applicants that he would not approve this variance so it could not be granted at this meeting. He advised that they could withdraw and return to the next meeting, but if the board voted on it, and it was denied, they would have to reduce the variance by 25% before returning with the variance. He asked what they preferred to do. The developers were advised that they could not proceed to plauviug commission if they withdrew the request this evening. Mr. Koberna stated that since they had the room on the lot, and they were a 6 billion dollar organization, and he could see no extenuating circumstances to grant a variance. Mr. Maloney agreed. Mr. Jobeson stated that they could always reduce the larger rooms and have all the rooms at 345 square feet. He requested that they go ahead and vote and advised that he was aware that he would have to bring the rooms up to code. T. Kobema moved to approve the request of Homestead Village Hotel for a variance for 87 units that do not have the required 345 square 3