Oak Ridge owners seek temporary certificate of occupancy, present security and phased reopening plan

Connie Kane, a consultant for Oak Ridge Chaska, and Susan Halsey, director of operations for Oak Ridge Chaska, told the City Council on Oct. 20 that the hotel and conference center operator is pursuing a temporary certificate of occupancy to open the facility in phases while completing remaining property improvements.

Kane and Halsey said the applicant has a pending memorandum of understanding with city staff that covers phased occupancy, security protocols, hiring, and outstanding property improvements such as the additional parking required by a prior development agreement. “We currently have a pending MOU with the staff,” Halsey said, adding the temporary certificate would allow both the city and the operator to monitor compliance as work continues.

The applicants said they have contracted Integris Security Solutions for patrols and camera installation and emphasized that an occupied building reduces vandalism. Walter Hudson, representing the security contractor, was presented as available to answer security protocol questions.

City staff and council members explained the city’s prior development agreement tied certificate-of-occupancy eligibility to completion of a parking lot and landscaping; the city retains escrowed dollars that could be used to complete those required improvements if necessary. Planning and engineering staff said the applicant has pull permits and contractors in place and that the MOU draft was delivered to staff for review the evening before the meeting.

Council members emphasized safety and code equity, noting the same building-code and parking requirements apply to all applicants. Several council members said they would review the MOU and work with the applicants and their attorney to determine whether a temporary certificate is appropriate and what conditions should apply; staff said the MOU will be reviewed further at the preliminary stage. No council vote or change to the city’s prior development agreement was taken at the meeting.

The applicants described long-term plans to restore the hotel restaurant, operate conference and event space, and recruit local restaurant partners. They also reported a phased opening approach tied to parking completion, with a target completion date for roadway work and parking of June 15 (year not specified) in the MOU draft.

The council did not vote on the MOU; staff said they received the draft MOU shortly before the Oct. 20 meeting and will continue review with the parties.