Bressi Ranch may gain two hotels

CARLSBAD — After obtaining the Planning Commission’s approval on Wednesday, two hotels with more than 100 rooms each may soon be constructed as part of Bressi Ranch. 

Local hotel developers Alps Innovation, LLC partnered up with international hotel operator Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) to propose building a 106-room, extended stay Staybridge Suites and a 133-room Holiday Inn at Palomar Airport Road and Innovation Way.

Representatives from both Alps Innovation and IHG highlighted the need for the hotels in the area, citing the additional tourists to be brought in by Carlsbad’s first airline at Palomar Airport, California Pacific Airlines, which is allegedly supposed to be operational in 2014, as well as the growing business centers being constructed in the area.

Furthermore, they said that the hotels have the potential to create 500 jobs and bring in millions in tax revenue.

“It does appear that there is a need in the community,” said Commissioner Michael Schumacher in his final comments about the project.

The hotels would be included in the Bressi Ranch master-planned residential community and neighboring industrial park.

Commissioners agreed with city staff that the proposed hotels met the standards of the Bressi Ranch master plan and environmental impact report.

“That was the original idea: to have commercial and industrial areas surrounding the residential,” said Commissioner Jeff Segall of Bressi Ranch’s original design intent.

Up until the day of the Planning Commission meeting, nothing but support flowed in for the project from the community.

But at the meeting, residents voiced concerns over what type of transients the Staybridge Suites may attract, including sex offenders and “meth makers,” as well as the added traffic and noise levels, and aesthetics over the project.

Both commissioners and the project applicants agreed that the hotels would not attract such undesirable clientele and that traffic would be diverted along Innovation Way to Palomar Airport Road, bypassing the surrounding neighborhoods.

Responding to their concerns, Planning Commission Chair Kerry Siekmann said, “I actually think you are very fortunate that this is such a high-level project. I think it’ll be more secure for you than another low level hotel coming in there.”

Extending congratulations to the project applicants, the Planning Commission unanimously approved the project without adding any conditions or revealing any concerns.

The hotels will be presented to City Council for final approval at an upcoming meeting.