The company that has already been approved to build a new four-storey, 95-room hotel in Penticton at the site of the Penticton Bingo Hall on Eckhardt Ave. West wants to build it higher than originally planned.

If Penticton Council approves the request Tuesday, it would add just under a quarter million dollars through development fees into City coffers.

Mundi Hotel Enterprises has been approved to build a brand new Fairfield Marriott Hotel using modular construction at 602 Eckhardt Ave. West.

That company has already agreed to tear down the current bingo hall and an adjacent home before starting construction on the hotel.

Photo Credit: Thompson Okanagan Tourist AssociationThis is an artist's rendering of the new Fairmont Marriott Hotel proposed for Eckhardt Avenue West in Penticton at the site of the current Penticton Bingo Hall. The developers, Mundi Hotels, have asked the City for a development permit variance that would allow them to build the hotel four metres higher than previously approved.

The subject property covers just under 6,000 square metres or 65,000 square feet of space.

In a staff report prepared by City planner Randy Houle in advance of Tuesday’s regular meeting of council, under the Local Government Act, a permit for construction of commercial or industrial buildings exceeding 4,500 square metres in gross floor area musc not be issued unless a site plan of the buildings, including traffic circulation and parking areas and facilities has been approved by the provincial government, said Houle.

Considering the size of this hotel project, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will be required to sign off prior to final issuance of the development permit, he said.

The proposed hotel would not only include just under 100 new hotel rooms, but an indoor pool, fitness facility and complimentary breakfast area, he said.

The applicant wants is requesting a development variance permit to increase the maximum height of the hotel.

As the City receives development cost charges from the developer at a rate of $4.20 per square foot of floor area, approving this request would result in an additional $221,000 into City coffers, said Houle.

As part of the building permit approval process, street frontage upgrades will also be required as the developer’s expense and will include relocation and reinstating of existing driveway entrances, sidewalk enhancement and improvement of the existing lane from Eckhardt Avenue West.

There are multiple water and sewer connections which require termination and upgrade, also at the developer’s expense, said Houle.

Photo Credit: Google MapsThis is the site of the new Fairmont Marriott Hotel that has already been approved by Penticton Council. The developers, Mundi Hotels Inc. are asking Council on Tuesday to allow the hotel to be 4.5 metres higher than previously approved. If approved, the extra space created would bring more than $220,000 in development fees into City coffers.

The developer also wants to increase the size of required setbacks for the front yard and rear year yard surrounding the hotel.

The developer wants to increase the maximum permitted height of a hotel from 12 metres to 16.5 metres “to accommodate the architectural features required by the Marriott brand,” said Houle. “The roof of the proposed hotel is approximately 13.7 metres from grade, with a parapet, canopy and various design features increasing the height to 16.5 metres.

“The building exceeds the minimum setbacks required in the zone, thus limiting the negative impacts that a taller than permitted building will have on the neighbouring properties. The additional height will raise the profile of the building in one of the City’s main entry points, providing for a well-articulated design and welcoming addition to the community.”

Staff feels that the height variance request is reasonable and unlikely to have any added negative impacts on surrounding properties and recommended that Council, after hearing from any affected neighbours, supports this application, said Houle.

For more information, visit the City of Penticton website at www.penticton.ca.