Interesting happenings at this past Monday's council meeting.
The Planning Commission had recommended that the council approve the new Holiday Inn over on Midland Drive near I-435. This could be a very welcome addition to the city.
A group of residents that live in an adjacent sub-division had some very valid concerns and questions. Each and everyone who spoke appeared to have their ducks in a row. Their questions and comments seemed to be, for the most part, specific, rather than general. Various council members also jumped in with some very good questions.
To make a long story short (the minutes will eventually be posted), the council turned down the project, at this time. A motion was then made to send the item back to the Planning Commission, to get the answers to these various questions. The item could then come back to the Council, and if the answers are the right ones, will probably be approved. The process appears to be working. At least with this item.
I was a little concerned about one comment that was made. When the vote was being taken to send the item back to the PC, Councilmember Kuhn voted for it (to keep the project alive, that's good) but said something to the effect that she thought all the questions had been answered. Not from where I was sitting they hadn't been. As Mr Sawyer had previously pointed out even the question about the size of the hotel patio had 3 different answers. This could be important because it could involve folks socializing, with alcohol, in close proximity to the housing area. Large crowds might not necessarily be in the resident's interest. The patio size could affect the number of people using it for that function.
This project, if followed to fruition, could be extremely beneficial to the city. But, the applicant does need to address the concerns of those individuals that will eventually become the hotel's neighbors.
