Commission clears two hotels at Gulf Coast Factory Shops; developers to use existing parking footprint

The Planning Commission voted 6-0 on Sept. 11 to recommend approval of a general development plan for the Gulf Coast Factory Shops (Ellenton Premium Outlets) to add two hotels totaling up to 246 rooms and as much as 110,060 square feet on a 68.79-acre property at the southeast corner of I‑75 and U.S. 301.

Marshall Robinson, land planner for the applicant, said the hotels — proposed at 122 and 124 rooms — would be located within existing parking areas for the mall and would not increase the site’s impervious surface under the current plan. Robinson said existing stormwater facilities would serve the hotels and that open space would increase slightly from roughly 30.8% to 31.18%.

Traffic consultant Michael Yates said a county Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project contemplates widening and improvements on nearby Sixtieth Avenue and completing a four‑lane section to the north; the consultant said the hotel analysis did not assume additional capacity from future roadwork and was based on current roadway configuration when determining impacts.

Staff planner Laura Gonzalez told commissioners there are no on-site wetlands, potable-water and sewer capacity were confirmed by public works, parking requirements are met and staff recommended approval. No public opposition was raised in the hearing.

The commission approved the general development plan 6-0. The applicant said access and easement details will be resolved through final site-plan and construction-plan reviews.