Zoning Hearing On Doylestown Hotel Project Continues On Wednesday

DOYLESTOWN BOROUGH, PA — A borough property owner looking to secure variances to build a 32-room hotel, restaurant and event space on West Court Street will be back before the Doylestown Borough Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday night for a second round of testimony.

The hearing is expected to include a cross examination of the applicant's professionals as they testify in support of zoning relief from building height and parking requirements.

Property owner Larry Thompson is proposing to tear down the former borough hall and build a 32-room hotel with full service restaurant and an event space at 57 West Court Street. He is seeking dimensional variances for parking requirements and building height.

Under the parking requirements, the project is required to provide 72 parking spaces. The plan proposes 61, requiring a variance for 11 parking spaces. To entice the zoning board to approve the relief, the plan proposes providing the 11 additional parking spaces off site.

Regarding the building height, the project proposes a four story hotel at a height of 45 feet where the zoning ordinance limits the height to 35 feet or three stories.

During testimony before the board and a standing room only crowd of neighbors in December, Thompson said he had initially investigated apartments for the site, but he said they were not a permitted use. He eventually settled on a hotel project, which he testified would fill a major need in the community where hotel rooms and event space is lacking.

Thompson said the proposed hotel would include a mix of one and two bedroom traditional hotel rooms. It would also house a 70-seat upscale sit-down restaurant use, an event venue that would accommodate up to 130 people and an outdoor rooftop terrace where guests can sit outside and "get some fresh air." Live music or bands would not be permitted on the roof, said Thompson.

Thompson said initially he had planned a 40-room hotel, but after talking with the borough and privately to local residents reduced the number of rooms to lessen the size and impact of the proposed building on the neighborhood.

A rendering showing the proposed hotel on Court Street.

"The ideal minimum for a hotel to be a worthwhile venture they recommend 40 rooms. But
given this location, 30ish would be a viable project. But you need an event space to support the hotel," said Thompson.

In addition to persuading the zoning board that variances should be granted, Thompson is also facing opposition from nearby residents who peppered the owner at the first hearing with questions over traffic flow, parking, noise, building height, and loading and unloading of hotel guests.

At the start of the hearing, the zoning board granted "party status" to seven property owners living in close proximity to the site. "Party status" means they are allowed to cross examine witnesses and appeal any decision made by the zoning board.

The neighbors, many of whom are from Harvey Avenue, say the proposed building is too large for the infrastructure of the neighborhood; that public safety will be impacted by guests drinking and driving to and from the establishment; and that parking and traffic generated by delivery trucks, staff and guests will overwhelm the small side streets of the neighborhood, negatively impacting residents and merchants.

They will be asking the zoning board to deny the zoning relief being requested and asking the developer to consider a significantly smaller operation with less impact on residents, arguing that the borough's zoning laws were designed to protect neighborhoods.

Residents launched a Go Fund Me account to hire a lawyer to fight the application. They also launched a change.org online petition drive to collect signatures opposing the project.

The zoning hearing board meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the Doylestown Borough Hall.