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Council approves 227-room hotel at Ontario Ranch to support new sports complex
Summary
After a public hearing with residents and labor groups urging delay, the Ontario City Council unanimously approved a disposition and development agreement for a 227-key dual-branded hotel adjacent to the new Ontario Regional Sports Complex. Staff said the project stays within the certified EIR's vehicle‑miles‑traveled budget.
The Ontario City Council voted 5–0 to approve a disposition and development agreement (DDA) with Ontario Ranch Hotels LLC for a dual-branded Aloft/Residence Inn hotel totaling 227 keys, staff said.
Planning staff summarized the proposal and its environmental review. "The item before you is the public hearing considering the DDA between Ontario Ranch Hotels and the city of Ontario," staff member Jennifer told the council during the presentation. She said staff concluded the revised hotel stays within the previously certified environmental impact report (EIR) and would generate fewer vehicle trips than the conceptual plan: "In fact, it's going to have 563 less weekday trips and 27 less weekend trips," Jennifer said.
Staff told the council the hotel sits on just over 2 acres at an appraised purchase price of $1,400,000 and that the developer anticipates roughly $60,000,000 in development costs. The project is tied to the broader Ontario Regional Sports Complex and stadium village the city says will drive demand for nearby lodging and hospitality.
During public comment residents and union representatives asked the council to pause the vote to resolve outstanding legal and procedural questions, including compliance with the state Surplus Land Act and whether additional CEQA analysis was required for the larger hotel. Jordan Sisson, representing a labor-related commenter, asked the council to "pump the brakes" and address live issues such as the Surplus Land Act and missing feasibility studies.
Council members and the city attorney responded that staff’s short legal review supported proceeding and emphasized the sports complex's role in producing regional demand for hotels. Mayor Leon framed the decision around creating opportunities for youth sports and the complex’s financing: "This is what it's about...the only way we can do that is if we can find some type of revenue to pay for that," he said.
Councilmember Wapner moved the motion to adopt the agreement; the motion was seconded and, after an electronic vote, passed 5–0. The council authorized the city manager to execute documents necessary to implement the DDA. The decision followed multiple public speakers urging either delay or conditions, including commitments on prevailing wages and local-hire negotiations between the developer and building trades.
Next steps include contract execution between the city and Ontario Ranch Hotels LLC and continued outreach between the developer and labor representatives, per council direction.
