Chamber supports Hilton Garden Hotel request -
>April - 2001

ELK GROVE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
POSITION STATEMENT

HILTON HOTEL PROPOSAL
FEBRUARY 13,2001

The Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce fully supports the development and construction of the Hilton Garden Hotel at Hwy. 5 and Laguna Boulevard, including the approval of an exception to the height restrictions on to allow the hotel complex to be 86' tall as allowable in a TC zone. In the event of the annexation of that area to the city of Elk Grove, applicable taxes/fees should be paid to the City of Elk Grove.

BACKGROUND

Issues:
The Monte Vista Development Group has purchased property and applied for permits to build a full service Hilton Garden Hotel and conference center on the southeast quadrant of I-5 and Laguna Boulevard off of Harbor Pointe Drive. The highest point of the hotel complex as proposed would be 86 feet. During review by FLACPAC, residents in a nearby area have opposed this height.

The area is zoned TC which allows construction of office buildings up to 150' in height, with specified setbacks and zoning review triggers. Apartment buildings in the area are limited in height to 40'. 

Project description: 
     Full service, state of art hotel which includes rooms set up for business (desks, telecommunication lines, etc.)
    120 rooms with two executive suites
    Three meal hotel restaurant; room service and conference center service
Business center
    Excerise room, pool, spa, guest laundry
    Conference center with kitchen with capacity of 150 for sit-down dinner 300 conf. Maximum
    Outside caterers will be able to serve functions at conference room
    Two area outside for functions for bigger gatherings
    Restaurant pad for destination restaurant (Outback Steakhouse?)
    Developers own adjacent property for future expansion

APPLICABLE COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE
301-22. HEIGHT EXCEPTIONS FOR BUILDINGS IN RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ZONES
Either the Board of Supervisors or the Project Planning Commission may, after reviewing development plans which address (1) glare/reflected heat; (2) energy efficiency; (3) traffic impacts; and (4) effects on adjacent parcels relating to height, scale, and mass of the proposed building; grant the following height exceptions if the appropriate authority finds that any adverse effects caused by the above factors have been adequately mitigated through design features incorporated into the proposed project:
(a) All residential land use zones: Public buildings, hotels, apartment houses, schools, churches, hospitals, and other similar buildings may be erected to a height not to exceed seventy-five (75) feet, provided that the required yards shall be increased one (1) foot for each one (1) foot of height of said building.
(b) All commercial and industrial land use zones: The number of stories and the height limits for commercial or industrial buildings, hotels and apartment buildings may be increased to a maximum of one-hundred fifty (150) feet, provided that all buildings are set back from the ultimate right-of-way line of all abutting streets and freeways a distance at least equal to the height of the building. For any residential portion of a hotel or apartment house, all required yards and courts shall be increased one (1) foot for each foot that such building exceeds forty (40) feet in height. In any case, the floor area to lot area ratio shall not exceed 2.5:1.

Committee Findings:
    1.The Elk Grove area has no full service hotel.
    2.The basic amenities offered by a full service hotel will assist in attracting quality businesses, along with jobs, to the area.
    3.A full service hotel will serve the needs in the community as a place for social and community events, as well as offer an alternative for residential guests
    4.Hilton has a reputable hotel name and style of hotel
    5.The land is zoned TC (travel commercial)
    6.Height being requested is 86 ft
    7.Heights up to 150' are allowed within the TC zone if specified conditions (setback, etc.) are met
    8.The plan as proposed and reviewed meets the conditions specified for exceptions to the height limitations (setbacks)