Post by wildre on Oct 14, 2005 7:55:10 GMT -5
From todays AC Press
Zoning Board cuts high-rise down to size in Wildwood
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Published: Friday, October 14, 2005
Updated: Friday, October 14, 2005
WILDWOOD-The Zoning Board has rejected another application for construction of a high-rise hotel.
The board voted 4-to-3 in favor of the 280-foot condominium/hotel planned for a property adjacent to Ocean, Bennett and Leaming avenues, but the necessary variances required at least five votes.
A similarly split board rejected plans to build a 23-story hotel on Atlantic Avenue between Spencer and Spicer avenues.
On Thursday, board member Elaine Billiris, one of the three who voted against the hotel project, said the developer, East Bennett Holding Company LLC, agreed to return with a revised plan more in keeping with what the board wants.
"The height exceeds what our ordinance calls for. I saw no reason for that," Billiris said.
Billiris said future applicants should take a look at the height of their buildings before coming before the board. "One of our suggestions is, stop bringing in buildings more than 250 feet," she said.
Billiris added, "People think they can come before the board and do whatever they want."
The hotel/motel zone allows structures as high as 250 feet, while the proposed hotel measured 280 feet and 26 stories.
Architect William Salerno told the board the plan was to build a 202-unit year-round facility complete with a restaurant and spa that would support the Wildwoods Convention Center in its effort to bring new business to town.
The hotel would replace several homes and the LuFran and Starfire motels.
John Merrett, one of the principal investors in the project, said the developers were looking for a major hotel chain to manage the complex, which would be operated similar to a timeshare and would be an income-producing property for its owners.
All 202 units would be sold as condominiums, but all 202 units would be placed into the hotel rental pool, and the hotel would work with the convention center to make sure rooms were available for specific events.
The plan also called for 437 parking spaces.
Merrett said the island's older motels do not come with the amenities modern visitors want, and hotels such as the one he was proposing would only add to the center's draw.
"The convention center can't stay alive without any bookings," Merrett said, adding the days of small hotels with small rooms are gone.
Merrett said local residents would be considered first for jobs at the hotel, and he expected the hotel would bring 75 to 100 jobs in the peak season and 40 to 50 jobs in winter.
Salerno said the building's height was in keeping with the city's desire to create first-class hotels to support the tourism industry.
The design, he added, was in the Wildwoods' doo-wop style with an ornate design that would add to the city's skyline. "It's a beautiful building," he said.
But the design wasn't enough to sway Billiris, a longtime city resident.
"I love Wildwood. If I didn't I would have left after my husband died. I love Wildwood and we have to think about the future of this town," she said.
To e-mail Trudi Gilfillian at The Press:
TGilfillian@pressofac.com
Zoning Board cuts high-rise down to size in Wildwood
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Published: Friday, October 14, 2005
Updated: Friday, October 14, 2005
WILDWOOD-The Zoning Board has rejected another application for construction of a high-rise hotel.
The board voted 4-to-3 in favor of the 280-foot condominium/hotel planned for a property adjacent to Ocean, Bennett and Leaming avenues, but the necessary variances required at least five votes.
A similarly split board rejected plans to build a 23-story hotel on Atlantic Avenue between Spencer and Spicer avenues.
On Thursday, board member Elaine Billiris, one of the three who voted against the hotel project, said the developer, East Bennett Holding Company LLC, agreed to return with a revised plan more in keeping with what the board wants.
"The height exceeds what our ordinance calls for. I saw no reason for that," Billiris said.
Billiris said future applicants should take a look at the height of their buildings before coming before the board. "One of our suggestions is, stop bringing in buildings more than 250 feet," she said.
Billiris added, "People think they can come before the board and do whatever they want."
The hotel/motel zone allows structures as high as 250 feet, while the proposed hotel measured 280 feet and 26 stories.
Architect William Salerno told the board the plan was to build a 202-unit year-round facility complete with a restaurant and spa that would support the Wildwoods Convention Center in its effort to bring new business to town.
The hotel would replace several homes and the LuFran and Starfire motels.
John Merrett, one of the principal investors in the project, said the developers were looking for a major hotel chain to manage the complex, which would be operated similar to a timeshare and would be an income-producing property for its owners.
All 202 units would be sold as condominiums, but all 202 units would be placed into the hotel rental pool, and the hotel would work with the convention center to make sure rooms were available for specific events.
The plan also called for 437 parking spaces.
Merrett said the island's older motels do not come with the amenities modern visitors want, and hotels such as the one he was proposing would only add to the center's draw.
"The convention center can't stay alive without any bookings," Merrett said, adding the days of small hotels with small rooms are gone.
Merrett said local residents would be considered first for jobs at the hotel, and he expected the hotel would bring 75 to 100 jobs in the peak season and 40 to 50 jobs in winter.
Salerno said the building's height was in keeping with the city's desire to create first-class hotels to support the tourism industry.
The design, he added, was in the Wildwoods' doo-wop style with an ornate design that would add to the city's skyline. "It's a beautiful building," he said.
But the design wasn't enough to sway Billiris, a longtime city resident.
"I love Wildwood. If I didn't I would have left after my husband died. I love Wildwood and we have to think about the future of this town," she said.
To e-mail Trudi Gilfillian at The Press:
TGilfillian@pressofac.com
