Image: City of Penticton
A new 75-room hotel is being proposed for Eckhardt Ave West in Penticton, just blocks down from where another 95-room hotel was approved earlier this month.
The proposal is hitting councillors desks on Tuesday, outlining ambitious plans for four lots which most recently housed a Petro Canada gas station.
The neighbouring Ramada Hotel and Suites snapped up the property adjacent to their current building late last year, publicly musing at the possibility of an expansion or new hotel.
It’s not clear if the new hotel tower will carry the Ramada brand, but a letter from the project’s architect to the City of Penticton uses the Ramada name. Ramada Penticton manager Jessica Dolan could not be immediately reached for comment Friday afternoon.
“Overall, staff consider that the proposed building will contribute positively to the area with the increase in commercial area and the 75 new hotel rooms,” a report by senior planner Audrey Tanguay reads. “The location of the site and characteristics of the surrounding area make it ideally suited for commercial densification.”
The majority of the ground-level grade will consist of 72 parking spaces, with rooms built above.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation has indicated the need for a transportation impact assessment to examine the proposed entrances to Highway 97, loading zone and parking alignment.
Typically, the province does not allow direct access to a commercial property off a highway, so a right-turning lane is being planned for the property to allow cars to slow down safely before entering the hotel.
The $10.3 million project will bring an estimated $79,000 in property taxes to the City of Penticton.
If approved by council on Tuesday, it will be sent to public hearing on Aug. 15.
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