Appeal of Coeur d'Alene Marriott hotel falls short

COEUR d’ALENE — An appeal of the Marriott hotel planned in downtown Coeur d’Alene was denied by the Coeur d’Alene City Council on Tuesday.

Councilmembers Amy Evans, Dan English, Kiki Miller and Woody McEvers voted to affirm the Design Review Commission’s January decision approving the project, while Dan Gookin and Christie Wood voted no.

“I’m disappointed,” Wood said. “But I understand how the elected body works."

Gookin made a previous motion to send the project back to DRC for further action and clarification on the “unique historic features” of the proposed six-story, 131-room hotel at Sixth Street and Sherman Avenue.

He called for Marriott “to come up with something that looks like it belongs in Coeur d’Alene.”

Wood supported the motion.

“It really does matter what the project ends up being in our community,” she said.

The other councilmembers voted against Gookin's motion.

Kiki Miller said while she had concerns about the review process, the council had to follow city codes and weigh the evidence before it.

She said she didn’t believe the DRC had made a mistake in its approval.

"It’s really tough to be in this spot,” Miller said after voting. “It’s really tough.”

About 50 people attended the two-hour appeal hearing in the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Meeting Room.

The council had the option to affirm or reverse the DRC’s decision or refer the project back to the DRC.

The hotel will have 130 parking spaces, three stories of underground parking, a fitness center, a rooftop bar and an outdoor patio. A spokesman said they hope to start construction this summer.

Appellant Joan Woodard cited several areas in which she believed errors were made, proper consideration was not given or details were overlooked.

The downtown resident pointed to what she said was an insufficient notice of public hearings so people could comment, loss of corridor views, not meeting design guidelines pertaining to unique historic features and neighborhood context, and said that the process didn’t follow the city’s own comprehensive plan.

Woodard said she was not against a hotel at the site, but that it should not have been approved as proposed.

“There are several things that could be approached here that would resolve the problems,” she said.

But city staff said some of those areas were not under the purview of the DRC. They said public notice met requirements and the property owner had the right to develop the vacant lot within the city’s zoning laws. They said much of whether the project included historical features appropriate for the area was subjective and if considering the surrounding the tall, brick structures, it blended in just fine.

City attorney Randy Adams said the DRC has a specific, narrow authority to review standards as set by previous city councils. Going beyond that, he said, "could result in chaos.”

Parker Lange, a manager with Providence Development, based in Bozeman, Mont., represented Marriott at the hearing.

“We brought forward a great application, something we are really proud of,” he said.

Lange said they met design and downtown core guidelines and received unanimous approval from the DRC.

Marriott had hoped to begin construction this summer and complete it in 18 months.

“These delays have really caused some significant hardships to us,” Lange said.

About 15 people urged the council to uphold the appeal.

“This is as big a decision as this council is going to make because this building is going to have a lasting impact on downtown Coeur d’Alene,” said Mike Patano.

Resident Brad Jordan supported the project and said it would benefit downtown shops.

Woodard said she has experience as a developer and that such a project should never have reached this point without the developers voluntarily meeting with the community for feedback.

“It takes a lot of people to come up with the best solution,” she said, then adding of the Marriott representatives, “They’re not from this town. They don’t understand."

Wood urged Marriott to go the extra effort and consider community concerns.

"I think you can come up with something that could be brilliant," she said.

Lange said they have done that and will continue to do so.

Gookin said the council should listen to its citizens. He said he has fought for parking and height restrictions in the downtown area and wants to preserve its character.

Once it’s gone, Gookin said, “Nothing’s going to save it."

Mayor Jim Hammond said there are codes pertaining to how property is zoned and can be developed. If someone meets those codes and follows the process, their project can proceed.

“You can’t try to change midstream,” he said.

    Gookin