The Francis City Council will decide whether to approve or deny the commercial development of a Best Western hotel next month after the Francis City Planning Commission forwarded a neutral recommendation of the project.
The proposed three-story Best Western hotel, which is slated for the northwest corner of Lambert Lane and S.R. 32, would have 69 rooms and 80 parking spaces, including 16 spaces for trucks and trailers. It would be part of a larger commercial project spearheaded by Harwood Development.
Dozens of community members have voiced their opposition to the development in Francis over the past few months, specifically the Best Western and a second proposed hotel in the city center. However, the Francis City code allows hotels in commercial zones with a conditional-use permit, according to city planner Katie Henneuse.
“This project is facing State Road 32, which is the largest and most traveled road in Kamas Valley,” Henneuse said. “It is also located in the commercial zone, which was created to encourage commercial development with access on the main arterial road. It is not unreasonable that development would arrive at this location.”
She added the city and developers have worked together on mitigation efforts to reduce noise, traffic and other issues commonly associated with nightly rentals, such as privacy fencing, low-decibel HVAC equipment and reduced lighting overnight.
“Our goal is to enhance the local economy while preserving the character of Francis City,” said Wes Harwood, the CEO of Harwood Development, in a video presented to the Planning Commission. “We’re creating a thoughtfully planned development featuring a hotel, restaurants, retail spaces and essential services to meet the needs of our growing community. This isn’t just another commercial project. It’s an investment in the quality of life, providing convenient access to businesses, dining and retail while maintaining the beauty of the Kamas Valley.”
Nearly 20 people spoke during a public hearing on the conditional-use permit on Thursday, citing concerns about environmental impacts, privacy for nearby residents and increased crime and traffic. Water quality and noise pollution were also mentioned repeatedly, as well as the economic viability of the hotel in the rural Francis community.
However, planning commissions are obligated under state law to favorably recommend or approve developments on private property if the landowner meets code requirements regardless of public opinion. Planning commissions are purely administrative, and any policy changes, such as banning hotels in Francis, would need to come from the City Council.
“We have to consider the evidence and how we’re mitigating the detrimental effects,” Henneuse explained. “If those can be mitigated, then you have to approve the conditional use. … We don’t get to choose whether we like the policy or not. We are looking at the code and at state law.”
That’s the tricky part, said Planning Commission Chair Justin Ciampi.
“Even if our emotions or feelings or all of those things that come into play with making the decisions as a part of the Planning Commission happen, if there’s public dissent, if your very close neighbors absolutely hate the project, it doesn’t really matter,” said Planning Commission Chair Justin Ciampi. “You’re obligated by law to look and to meet the objectives set forth.”
Ciampi said he understands the public’s frustration, but denying hotel development is outside the scope of the Planning Commission’s administrative purview.
“I understand the emotion connected to the issue,” he said. “I understand how it must feel, or at least I think do, how it must feel to have this development being built right next to your house. I can appreciate all of those things and those arguments, but our hands are tied. I urge all of you to come to the City Council meetings as well. Those are your elected officials. Those are the bodies that make the decisions, but you should know that if they meet the requirements in the law, that’s the law. That’s what it is.”
Commissioners voted 3-1 to approve the site’s trash storage plan and landscape plan and to forward a positive recommendation to the City Council regarding the overall site plan, parking, architecture and outdoor lighting. Planning Commission Vice Chair Rich Christiansen was absent from the meeting.
Planning Commissioner Kimberly Lawson was the lone “no” vote. She expressed hesitations about the project as a whole despite developers meeting all code requirements.
“It is so obvious that you guys took so much of the public comment from last time and really tried to incorporate it, and that’s great,” praised Planning Commissioner McKenna Marchant. “I really appreciate that. The landscaping’s beautiful. The architecture’s beautiful.”
There was not a consensus regarding the conditional-use permit, however, which included stipulations requiring an 8-foot privacy fence, tree buffers, shortened delivery hours and other mitigation efforts for nearby residential homes.
Marchant and Lawson wanted to forward a negative recommendation to the City Council, while Ciampi and Planning Commissioner Scott Buchanan were in favor of a positive recommendation.
Ultimately, the Planning Commission unanimously decided to forward a neutral recommendation to the City Council instead of tying up the vote and tabling the issue. The Francis City Council is expected to discuss and possibly vote on the hotel’s commercial development and conditional-use permit next month.