Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hotel Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Commission approves four‑story Hampton Inn near Durango and Oso Blanca with reduced perimeter landscaping at pinch points
Summary
Commission approved a four‑story, 117‑room hotel (Hampton Inn) at the northeast corner of Osso Blanca Road and Durango Drive, granting waivers where narrow site geometry prevented full eight‑foot landscape widths. The developer agreed to 36‑inch box perimeter trees where feasible.
The Planning Commission approved a four‑story, 117‑room hotel (proposed Hampton Inn brand) at the northeast corner of Osso Blanca Road and Durango Drive, granting waivers for a four‑story building where the town‑center code otherwise limits height and permitting reduced perimeter landscaping in constrained portions of the site.
Staff recommended approval, noting the parcel’s irregular shape and proximity to a freeway off‑ramp create narrow “pinch points” where an eight‑foot landscape buffer could not be provided without impacting necessary fire and circulation lanes. The site nonetheless exceeds the city’s minimum overall landscaping percentage and accommodates vehicle circulation and the hotel’s primary entrance aligned with Grand Montecito.
Applicant representatives described the hotel program — pool, fitness center and guest lounge — and confirmed there is no restaurant with separate liquor or gaming on site. Commissioners and staff added a condition requiring 36‑inch box trees in perimeter landscape where feasible; the applicant agreed.
The commission voted to approve the special‑use permit and site plan review subject to staff conditions and the added tree requirement. The item is final action unless appealed to the city clerk within 10 days, and standard building permits and inspections will follow.
