Planning Commission reauthorizes refile for three‑story Alexa Court hotel, grants two‑year entitlement

The El Paso de Robles City Planning Commission on May 27 voted 6-0 to reauthorize a refile of the expired development plan for the Alexa (Alexa) Hotel, a proposed 38‑room, three‑story boutique hotel off Theater Drive near the intersection of Highway 46 West.

Darren Nash, city planner, told the commission the project’s development plan was originally approved in February 2018 and a grading permit was issued before construction stalled. "The building permit was approved in 2023 but never issued," Nash said, adding the applicant has applied for new entitlements for the same project. Nash said the site is in the C‑2 zoning district where hotels are permitted and that the proposed parking meets zone requirements.

Commissioners were presented with four options: (1) approve the refile of the expired project and reissue entitlements; (2) approve with modifications; (3) refer back to the Design Review Committee; or (4) deny. Nash recommended option 1, the refile. Applicant representative Peter Patel, who described himself as a family member of the project owners, asked the commission to extend the permit expiration an extra six months to allow the team to finalize contractor bids and lender negotiations.

Patel said, "We are trying to get into dialogues with the general contractor and the lenders. Once we have the numbers of the general contractors, we'll be able to move forward with the lenders." Nash clarified the approved refile is a reapproval of entitlements rather than a one‑year time extension; as a refile it establishes a two‑year entitlement period, and a time extension may be requested later if needed.

Several commissioners expressed support for the project’s compatibility with nearby hotels such as the Bella La Bella Serra and the Hampton Inn, noting the small boutique hotel would add lodging capacity on that side of town. Commissioner Christiansen made the motion to approve the resolution reauthorizing the development plan refile; Commissioner Neal seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous; the motion passed 6-0.

The commission’s action reestablishes the project’s entitlements for two years, giving the applicant additional time to secure a general contractor and lender approvals. No design modifications or conditions were included in the motion as recorded; staff said any further changes or formal time‑extension requests would return to the commission for consideration.

No statutes, ordinances, or appeals were cited during the decision. The commission closed the item and proceeded to the next agenda matter.