A rendering of the proposed “boutique” hotel and restaurant at the site of the former Doylestown Borough Hall on West Court Street. (Credit: Doylestown Borough)
The borough’s building and zoning director said the proposed settlement is expected to be discussed in executive session at borough council’s meeting on Monday.
Plans for a new hotel in Doylestown Borough, a subject of much debate, may be heading toward a resolution.
Attorneys representing the property owner and nearby residents have reached a tentative agreement to reduce the capacity of the event space in the proposed "boutique hotel" at 57 W. Court St., according to the Bucks County Herald.
The new arrangement limits the number of guests allowed in the event space to 100, down from the original 120, which was approved by the borough’s zoning hearing board in May. The hotel itself will still have 32 rooms, and the restaurant will maintain its 70-seat capacity.
Mike Carr, who is representing the neighbors, expressed confidence that the compromise will be accepted, per the report. He said that the proposed changes would be discussed in an upcoming executive session of the borough council and at a zoning hearing board meeting the following week.
If the agreement is approved, it could help pave the way for the long-awaited redevelopment of the property, which has been sitting vacant as a deteriorating former borough hall, according to the Herald.
The developer, Larry Thomson, purchased the property for $2.3 million more than a year ago, with plans to demolish the existing structure. Although demolition has been approved, the future of the site is still uncertain.
Residents have contested aspects of Thomson's plans for the project, including the four-story height, design, and parking requirements.
The zoning board recently ruled against Thomson’s request for a parking variance, which would have allowed him to provide only 61 spaces instead of the required 72, per the report.
The board also denied his proposal for a rooftop terrace and imposed conditions on the hotel’s rear-facing balconies, which overlook nearby residences. Specifically, the board mandated that trellises or other forms of screening be added to mitigate privacy concerns. Any proposed screening must be approved by the borough council, said the Herald.
Despite these challenges, there seems to be a growing consensus that a compromise might be in sight.
