The final deadline for a hotel developer to move forward on the project has passed, but it hasn’t stopped city officials from pushing for a renewed effort.
Developer Prakash Patel and San Jose-based Lotus Management proposed the hotel for 390 Gateway Drive, behind the Tiffany Ford dealership. Plans for a site and architectural review were approved by the Hollister Planning Commission in February 2009, but the developer has not proceeded on obtaining the needed building permits for construction.
The approval was good for 18 months, and the one allowable 18-month extension expired in March 2012, said city planner Abraham Prado. Financial constraints with banks have caused the delay in breaking ground and continue to hamper progress.
Abraham said the city has encouraged the builders to continue pursuing the project. Lotus would have to reapply for the site and architectural review, but the planning commission’s familiarity with the project would help its relative progress. At this point, Prado said a new environmental review would be unnecessary. But if the developer wants to avoid that, the sooner the better with the permit process, he said.
“We’re working with them and we gave them the information to reapply,” Prado said.
Lotus has had a presence in Hollister since 2001 when the planning commission approved drawings for a Holiday Inn Express, at the same location, which would have been 39,046 square feet. It was shelved due to the building moratorium that lasted from 2002 until 2008 after a 15-million gallon sewer spill at the wastewater plant.
The company’s plans for the Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott Hotel call for 53,485 square feet in a four-story building with suites, a lounge, an exercise room and a swimming pool. They also include room for 81 off-street parking spaces around the building.
Previously, Patel has said Lotus would do the project when there is available money from banks.
