Town Council approves redesign of proposed hotel

Mayor Martinez, center, covers a smile at the most recent town council meetings during the ensuing discussion of the Morgan’s waiver request. Others in the photo are from left, Melvin Riley of District One, and Francis Nezianya.

Jennifer Fleming

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During the Tuesday, May 26, Zachary Town Council Meeting, the councilmen voted unanimously to approve a site plan redesign for the proposed Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites. Developer, John Patel plans to build the new 71-room hotel across from his Best Western Inn on La. Hwy. 19.
Patel adjusted the Holiday Inn’s design to accommodate city ordinances after a 3-2 vote last November to reject three waivers the former design would have needed. After that meeting, Patel considered moving the proposed hotel to Baker.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the project spokeswoman Carlyn Tall, the general manager of Zachary’s Best Western Inn and of the upcoming Holiday Inn Express, told the council Patel had redesigned the project so as not to need any of the previously required waivers. Tall submitted the redesign to the council for their consideration and discussed some of the changes. Among those changes were: the removal of a 40-person meeting room that would have required Patel to add 10 parking spaces; Patel purchased an additional 10,000 square feet of land to meet city requirements that all hotels sit on at least 1,000 square feet of land per guest room; and the landscape designers placed a fence around the proposed pond to enhance safety.
Councilman Francis Nezianya, who had voted not to grant the hotel waivers in November, commended Patel for “going the extra mile to accommodate the waivers. It’s going to be a beautiful building.” Each council member was pleased and glad to have the hotel coming to Zachary.
Among other business, Kim and Connie Morgan, owners of The Great Frame Up, applied to the council for a waiver to live in and operate their business from a Main Street two-story house in historic downtown. The council was delighted with the idea, but had some concerns about the gravel drive. City ordinances for businesses require paved parking areas for customers.
Councilman John Coghlan stated he liked the concept and that it was a “good fit for that part of town.” Mayor Henry Martinez agreed and stated that “in the spirit of partnering with local businesses” the council has approved the waiver and has taken into consideration that The Great Frame Up only serves one or two customers at a time. Mayor Martinez said the council would address paving the gravel parking area at a later date.
In addition to those items of business, the council authorized the Mayor Martinez to sign a cooperative endeavor agreement between Zachary and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office to allow Sheriff Sid Gautreaux to develop a substation at the corner of La. Hwy. 964 and Pride-Port Hudson Road.
Mayor Martinez mentioned that Bill Palmer of BREC had spoken with him about the BREC Park Road Dedication of Park Drive saying BREC had received each quote and was excited to begin their project. Palmer stated that BREC would make special accommodations in their plans for Zachary’s annual Z-fest.