Applicant seeks rezoning to restore hotel at 950 Bob Arnold Blvd; developer says residents will be relocated at its expense

Planning staff opened a public hearing on a rezoning request that would change 950 Bob Arnold Boulevard from OI (office/industrial) to GC (general commercial) to allow the property to return to hotel use.

Chelsea Tubs, planning and zoning administrator, said the proposal would allow an 86-room hotel using the existing structure with 110 parking spaces; she noted the planning commission recommended a condition to ensure a seamless transition for current residents of the building during any conversion. Attorney Joel Larkin, representing the applicant, told council the property was converted to a senior care facility after a 2018 renovation but never reached occupancy levels and now houses about 21 residents. He said a hotel developer is prepared to purchase the building and "honor the rents that are currently being charged" while coordinating and paying for transfers to another nearby facility with a higher level of care.

"We actually have an agreement in place with another facility nearby who has agreed to take all of the 21 residents," Larkin said, adding that his client will "coordinate the logistics" and bear relocation costs. Council members pressed for more specifics about the relocation plan and time frame; the applicant said the buyer hoped to reopen by fall or year'end and identified the brand as Suburban Studios by Choice Hotels. The public hearing remains open for final action on Monday, April 6, when council will consider any staff conditions and the rezoning ordinance.