To the editor:
The new hotel being built next to the Day’s Inn is generating a lot of controversy. The height of the building and the way it is positioned so close to Manitou Avenue has raised numerous questions.
How could this have happened? Who approved of this? Did the Urban Renewal Authority board approve this?
The URA board played no role in the development process and approval cycle that allowed this hotel to be built. Whether they liked the plan or not, our City Council and Planning Commission were required to follow the land-use regulations laid out in our city Zoning Code when they considered whether to approve it.
The developer did not receive any special considerations such as variances or waivers to build. In the commercial zone, structures are allowed to be up to 35 feet in height in most circumstances and may be up to 40 feet when certain criteria are met.
In addition, structures may be located as close as 10 feet from the front property line. With our current zoning code, this is the rule for any commercial property outside of the downtown commercial area.
The city is in the process of updating the Zoning Code.
Part of this process will be to consider revising the current development standards that allowed this building to be built. Front setbacks could be increased to push buildings farther back from the street and maximum heights could be reduced.
If you have thoughts or opinions regarding this effort, let our city councilors know (citycouncil@manitouspringsco.gov).