A new 4-story-tall hotel proposed for the north end of Santa Maria received City Council approval on Tuesday night, expanding options of places for visitors to stay.
Council members voted 4-0 to approve several items for the 93-room Holiday Inn Express planned for a 2.3-acre site at 2000 Roemer Court. Councilmember Mike Cordero was absent.
While the hotel would be adjacent to Preisker Lane, access would occur from Roemer Court, off Roemer Way.
The proposed 55,000-square-foot building would include multiple amenities including a lounge, meeting room, indoor pool, gym, and outdoor patio space. Some 119 parking spaces are planned, above the required 102.
In January, the Santa Maria Planning Commission voted to recommend councilmembers approve the proposed General Plan amendment land use and zone change along with the planned development permit.
“In short, it’s currently an industrial property. It needs a commercial designation to accommodate the hotel,” Community Development Director Chuen Wu told the City Council.
The site wouldn’t be ideal for heavy industrial uses, Wu said. Two other hotels sit near the proposed new hotel site, and nearby areas have light industrial uses.
“This is really a recommendation that supports a similar use that would be complementary to the existing uses that are on the ground today,” Wu said.
During their review of the project, planning commissioners asked about traffic, building materials and building height.
“You’ve passed. You’re ready to go. Congratulations, and can’t wait to see your new project,” Chair Tim Seifert told the applicant after commissioners voted unanimously.
For decades, the most northern edge of the city had two hotels: a 4-story Holiday Inn & Suites near the corner of North Broadway and Preisker Lane, and a 2-story Motel 6 next door.
Later, Candlewood Suites and Fairfield Inn & Suites joined the inventory of hotels off North Broadway, each adding another 4-story building.
The area also has gained a 4-story Hampton Inn & Suites near the corner of North Broadway and Preisker Lane, with its opening in 2019.
Holiday Inn Express is among 19 hotel brands belonging to IHG Hotels and Resorts, which also operates Candlewood and Holiday Inn.
The area also gained new fast-food restaurants including Wendy’s, 2120 Preisker Lane, with plans in the works for Santa Maria’s second Chick-fil-A at 2140 N. Preisker Lane, including a proposal for a 4,965-square-foot commercial drive-through restaurant.
