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)
A boutique hotel proposed for 57 W. Court St. in Doylestown Borough —47 guest rooms paired with a 75-seat event space and a 70-seat restaurant — remains stuck over how cars will be parked and moved on and off the site.
The borough planning commission pressed pause again late last month, signaling it wants a fuller look at day-to-day operations, a complete parking management strategy, and a unified package for wayfinding and signs before it will advance the plan, according to the Bucks County Herald.
Commissioners also asked to hear from the Historical and Architectural Review Board on a covered walkway that would guide patrons from the rear parking area to the front door, per the report.
While the development team, led by Larry Thomson, says it can satisfy the code’s 72-space requirement with a round-the-clock valet system, 11 mechanical lifts in the garage, and additional off-site management, officials say the bigger test is how that math plays out in real-world circulation, according to the article.
The site design funnels drivers through a single entrance and exit — West Court Street to North Hamilton Street — where signage would tell motorists if the garage has room before they turn in. The plan would also eliminate the current access on Harvey Avenue.
The planning commission plans to take another look on Oct. 28.
