The Francis City Council approved key pieces of a proposed hotel development in the town center zone last week, but there are lingering questions regarding traffic patterns and the environmental effects of two commercial drive-thrus included in the project plans.While the unfranchised hotel would si t on the southwest corner of S.R. 35 and Spring Hollow Road, the rest of the development would include commercial space for restaurants and retail businesses. East Side residents overwhelmingly expressed their displeasure with the project at a public hearing in December, citing concerns about privacy, traffic and noise.Despite months-long pushback from residents regarding the proposal, it continues to inch closer to reality. The City Council unanimously approved the site plans of the unfranchised hotel last week.The project is one of two controversial hospitality developments Francis officials are considering. Demonstrators in March also gathered in front of City Hall to protest the other proposal — a Best Western on the northwest corner of Lambert Lane and S.R. 32 — but the City Council approved the hotel’s conditional-use permit in a 4-1 vote later the same night.The developer’s design for the unfranchised hotel also stirred controversy among Francis residents last year when the City Council agreed to raise the maximum allowed building height to 45 feet. They opposed the change, saying taller buildings are detrimental to the rural charm of the area.Additionally, the hotel has been associated with a proposed ordinance to change the number of allowed stories for all buildings in the town center zone from three to four. The Francis City Council ultimately rejected the ordinance in a 4-1 decision last month, though, which limits the hotel to a three-story design after all.Mayor Jeremie Forman said that although he was in favor of the height increase because of the architectural possibilities, he was worried about the long-term effect of four-story buildings on the small community.Councilors also unanimously approved a conditional-use permit for a restaurant with alcohol service — one of the proposed commercial businesses included in the hotel alongside the actual business — and the outdoor lighting plan. However, the City Council added a stipulation that outdoor lighting needs to be reduced by 50% after 11 p.m. in an effort to minimize disruptions to nearby homes.Both the drive-thrus and parking lot were not as agreeable for councilors, though. Conditional-use permits for two drive-thrus were tabled in a 3-2 vote. The City Council expressed concerns regarding pollution from idling cars, especially on the adjoining residential properties, and asked for more research on the environmental effects before proceeding with permits.The motion to approve the permits failed, with councilors Clayton Querry, Clint Summers and Sam Hunter in favor of passing it while Foreman and City Councilor Shana Fryer voted against it.A decision on the parking plan was similarly tabled, with the split City Council voting the exact same way as the drive-thru conditional-use permits, until officials and developers can come to an agreement about shared parking on city property.Further discussions on the conditional-use permit for the unfranchised hotel are slated for a public hearing at 6 p.m. on April 10.The post Hotel on Lambert Lane receives partial approval from Francis City Council appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less