Developers present 119‑room Element hotel for Rock Row Phase 3; board provides feedback

At a workshop presentation, the project team for Rock Row Phase 3 presented a sketch plan for Building V: a five‑story, L‑shaped Element by Marriott hotel featuring ground‑floor retail/restaurant space and 119 hotel rooms above.

Ian McKinnon (Jones Beach Engineers) described site assumptions and said the hotel’s parking will rely on a nearby parking garage and cross‑parking agreements; the project team called for conditions at final approval that tie parking to the garage. Tom Devere of Devere Architects identified the hotel brand as Element by Marriott and said the design emphasizes sustainability and extended‑stay units, with about 70% of rooms including full kitchens. Greg Del Nero (project manager) and the Denver design team presented floor plans showing a one‑way valet drop‑off, a central courtyard with a seasonal "Paseo," and ground‑floor tenant spaces intended primarily for restaurant/retail uses.

Staff reminded the board that final building elevations and a full code review will be required at the final site‑plan/building‑permit stage; the fire marshal will review roof and egress details as plans are developed. Board members asked for clearer north arrows and additional renderings showing how this building fits with adjacent phase buildings, details on planted mounding and planter sections along the street, and confirmation of trail connections to Nason's Brook. No vote was taken; the item will return at later site‑plan stages with finalized elevations and cross‑parcel parking agreements.

Next steps: the applicant will advance final site plans and coordinate parking, garage approvals and detailed landscape and elevation drawings for later board review.