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Developer pitches dense River District West hotel‑apartment complex near Edison Ford; council questions scale
Summary
KLM Development proposed a mixed‑use project on the Pinchers parking‑lot site that would include a flagship hotel (250–300 rooms), roughly 250–300 apartments and new public river access; councilmembers raised concerns about units‑per‑acre, zoning changes and the project's scale next to historical assets.
A private developer presented a conceptual master plan for a River District West project and councilmembers responded with concerns about density and context.
Mark McLaren of KLM Development described a multi‑block concept centered on the Pinchers parking lot and adjacent church parcel, proposing a marquee hotel of 250–300 rooms, event space and roughly 250–300 luxury apartments, along with retail, restaurants and a parking garage. McLaren said the team has discussed the idea with Edison Ford Estate leadership and expects rezoning and a planned‑unit‑development (PUD) process to be required.
"We're looking at a hotel of 250 to 300 rooms," McLaren said, and described the intent to create a riverfront destination with public access and supporting retail.
Several councilmembers pushed back on density math. One councilmember pointed to existing zoning limits (about 70 units per acre on a 1.93‑acre parcel) and questioned how the proposed unit count could be achieved without significant rezoning and height increases. Councilmembers also flagged the project's visual and historic proximity to the Edison Ford Estate and urged careful review of cumulative impacts from nearby approvals.
The presentation was conceptual; McLaren said a PUD and rezoning would follow if the project advances. Councilmembers asked staff and the developer to continue discussions and to bring more detailed massing, parking and unit‑count information before any formal application.
