The October 11 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board was dedicated to a discussion of a possible overlay zone in the B1 business district to accommodate a boutique hotel. The Board Engineer had drafted a list of 36 items for discussion. This list was based on the Board’s previous discussion and prior public comments. At the outset, a Board member suggested that the Board should retain an expert to advise the Board on the feasibility of a boutique hotel in the B1 zone. After considerable discussion, it was agreed that the Board should look into retaining a hospitality expert. Because the Board does not have a budget for retaining the expert, it would need to go to Borough Council for a suitable budget. The Board’s attorney suggested that the Board make a motion to seek funding for a qualified party to advise the Board on the feasibility of a boutique hotel, the possible financial benefit of the hotel to the town, and to recommend parameters that the Board should consider.
After deciding that public comment would be heard after a vote on a resolution seeking funding, the vote was taken and the resolution was passed. Then the meeting was opened to public comment.
There were 13 people that provided comment to the Board. About eight were against a hotel in the B1 district, and five were for it. The reasons for their opinions were varied. Some of their comments are summarized below.
Those in favor of a hotel pointed to the success of the Reeds and the numbers of visitors shopping in Stone Harbor. Those against pointed out that Avalon’s business area is not walkable like Stone Harbor’s 96th Street area nor does Avalon’s B1 district have a water view like the Reeds, thus reducing the desirability of a counterpart in Avalon and reducing the likelihood that a boutique hotel in Avalon would be successful.
Density, congestion and parking were also cited as negatives. Also noted was that the likely area for a boutique hotel is in a flood zone; this fact could raise significant safety issues if emergency evacuation became necessary.
Business owners expressed their views that a boutique hotel would be good for Avalon’s businesses. One of these was a Stone Harbor business owner who stated his business has increased since the Reeds opened, motivating other business owners as well to improve their storefronts and extend their off-season retail hours.
One person expressed disappointment that the Board passed its resolution before seeking public comment. She stated that the Board should be looking for someone with appropriate, broad business district development expertise to advise the Board on what various uses should be considered for the overlay zone for extending the shoulder season and improving Avalon as a whole, rather than looking for input from a hotel expert who would be highly likely to simply recommend development of a boutique hotel.
Several people again requested electronic access to the Board’s meetings. Another person again expressed the view that the amendment to the Master Plan was flawed by failure to give proper notice of the plan, and was done without giving the appropriate study that any amendment to the Master Plan deserves.
For now, the boutique hotel issue awaits an administrative decision from Borough Council on the funding request.
