Five-story hotels rejected by commission

Two five-story hotels, a proposed upgrade for the Quality Inn by owner Farid Ashdji to upgrade to a Hyatt Place, and, proposed new construction of the Ponce Hotel, Inc., by hotelier Kanti Patel, were rejected on first reading by the St Augustine City Commission tonight.

On tonight’s agenda, the first of two public readings to develop hotels exceeding the 35-foot height limitation called for in the City’s comprehensive plan through the use of a Planned Unit Development, were shot down by unanimous vote of the commission.

“The accompanying rezoning to Planned Unit Development redefines how height is measured to allow for a hotel 50-feet in roof height and an additional 15 feet of height for parapets and decorative towers, for a total height of 65 feet.”

After an explanation of each project by Planning and Building Director David Birchim, a motion to deny each item was made by Commissioner Todd Neville.

Owners were represented by former City Planning and Building Director, Mark Knight; however, one owner, Farid Ashdji, addressed the commission after it was clear the commission would reject the “spot zoning” afforded by planned unit development.

Ashdji told the commission that his franchise with Quality Inn will end in the coming year and any of the better franchises, like Hyatt Place, was going to require a 12′ ceiling height on the ground floor; an accommodation Ashdji says he cannot deliver in a 35-foot building.

Mayor Shaver challenged Ashdji to find other possible franchises that would allow him to build within the established comprehensive plan.