03/18/1998 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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? put Candlewood at a competitive disadvantage as their construction costs would be higher than the neighboring hotels especially that of Courtyard by Marriott which was permitted all E.F.I.S. Mr. McKay was concerned about this company going out of business since they are operating on such a strict budget. Mr. Nemecek explained the budget is tight because the investors of this connpany are requiring a return. He noted they are authorized to put so much into a project and if the projected return goal is not met they are forced to wallc away from the site. NSr. McKay questioned if their was a contingency fund to cover this type of expense. Mr. Nemecek advised all expenses for the hotel proposals are based on using the E.F.I.S. material. Mr. McKay explained north olmsted is one of the most desirable communities for this type of project. He noted there is a 70% occupancy rate for the. hotels in this area which is often bragged about in Crains Cleveland Business. Mrs. McKay wondered why this hotel is going to be four stories if there is a budget concern. Mr. Nemecek advised, although it is expensive to have four stories, a certain number of rooms is needed and this site is to small to accommodate the number of rooms needed in just three stories. Mr. Liggett explained Courtyard by Marriott put their money into the green root which complimented the proposal enough that the architectural review board was pacified. He noted although Candlewood has attempted to break up the building in a similar way, the materials utilized are much cheaper. This hotel does not come across as nice as the other two because of the material quality. Mr. Liggett recommended that the first story be constructed out of a brick material with brick up the columns to create an acceptable appearance. Mr. Nemecek agreed to do a full floor of brick, but noted they could not afford to complete this entire project in brick. Mr. Yager suggested that the following areas be constructed of brick: all the stair wells, the arch ways, and the entire lower level. He noted this way the brick material is highlighted on the edges as it is the edges that are perceived first. Mr. Melby did not have a problem incorporating some brick into the proposal but noted brick in the arch ways would become a problem at the peak. Mr. Liggett stated that the developer will have to some how compromise with the requests. Mr. Nemecek explained the only thing that can be done to remotely satisfy the architectural review board and Councilmau McKay is to do the first story in brick. Mr. Liggett stated he would like to see more.brick, however it is not really the boards job to design the building. He cautioned the developer to look at the colors closely to ensure they do not clash. Mr. Yager and Mr. Liggett agreed this proposal should be tabled until a more acceptable design is submitted for review per the recommendations of the board. Mr. Nemecek wondered why the board cannot make a recommendation tonight so that this did not have to come back in a month. Mr. Yager stated if he were to make a recommendation tonight, he would suggest that the entire building be constructed of the brick material, which is something the development team has indicated they do not want to accommodate. He therefore suggested the Candlewood proposal return to architectural review board with some kind of compromise on the suggestions. Mr. Nemecek stated due to the time factor he would request that the board malze a decision tonight as the plan is to open by the end of 1998. Mr. Yager noted in order to stay on that time schedule, he would recommend that the developer do the entire building in brick. He noted this way the proposal is more acceptable and can move through the process much quicker. Mr. Nemecek stated he was willing to compromise on the boards request. Mr. Yager noted the board will need to see the compromise to make a recommendation. Mr. Nemecek stated that he was willing to wait a month to present a compromise rather than complete four stories of brick. The members discussed a motion. Mr. Yager stated he would like to recommend in the motion that the entire bu.ilding be constructed of brick, with the understanding the proposal can come back on Apri122,