Planning commission recommends City Council review for five‑story hotel at Buena Vista Boulevard

The Washington City Planning Commission on Nov. 19 voted to recommend City Council consider C‑25‑14, a conditional use permit for a five‑story, 65‑foot hotel at the southeast corner of Buena Vista Boulevard and Washington Parkway.

Staff told the commission the hotel would sit on a 15.5‑acre parcel with a 3.3‑acre footprint for the hotel, include 143 guest rooms and provide 176 parking spaces, which staff said satisfied city parking requirements. The commission was informed the council previously granted a height waiver on July 23, 2025 allowing a 65‑foot height.

A new commissioner asked whether the staff parking calculation accounts for extended‑stay guests and raised concerns about the building's visual prominence as an entry feature to the city. The city attorney replied that the planning commission's review is limited to conformance with adopted code and policies and that the city has not adopted architectural standards controlling color or style; commissioners may forward aesthetic feedback to City Council.

Applicant representative Bob Hermanson explained the site will be graded to accommodate the hotel and that the building reflects a Hilton prototype that underwent its own materials review. "This is a direct prototype directly from Hilton," Hermanson said, noting franchise templates often limit exterior variation.

Commissioner Davis moved to recommend approval of C‑25‑14 subject to staff findings and conditions; Commissioner Anderson seconded. The motion passed and will be forwarded to City Council for final action.