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 four-story boutique hotel, proposed with 47 rooms, a 100-seat event space, and a 70-seat restaurant, was approved for Doylestown Borough by council in a 7-1 vote Monday night.
The dissenting vote was from Councilman Connor O’Hanlon, of Ward 3, who said he voted no in order to represent his constituents. O’Hanlon, according to the Bucks County Herald, called it “bloated” and a far cry from its original 32-room, 120-seat event space proposal.
The 57 W. Court St. property is the former home of Doylestown Borough administration offices and police station and was purchased for $2.1 million by Larry Thomson, according to the newspaper. It will be served by one entrance/exit on Hamilton Street.
Borough officials allowed what Thomson was asking for to prevent additional waivers on his project: An 8-foot-high rear fence, improved lighting, and screening of hotel patios, per the report. A rooftop bar was rejected by planners.
One resident, Laura Moracco, said the building would dwarf its surrounding landscape and homes. She said she was disappointed that the borough did not listen to residents.
One official, former Zoning Heard Board Member, Councilman and Bucks County Planning Commission Chairman Darrin Hoffman, of Hamilton Street, liked that the old borough hall is being put to good use, but wanted council to approve more buffering and setback from residences.
