The Naperville Plan Commission on Wednesday reviewed a developer’s plan for a 127-room hotel on about 9.5 acres on the north side of the city.
Pacific-Midwest Partners Inc. of Naperville is proposing a five-story Hampton Inn. The developer is requesting that the land be rezoned from industrial to commercial use in conjunction with a request for a conditional use permit for a planned unit development.
The remaining two lots on the site fronting Diehl Road are proposed for commercial uses. Kevin Gallaher, attorney for Pacific-Midwest, also is requesting that the city reconsider a zoning amendment adopted in 2000 that prohibited limited-service hotels in areas such as this, designated for office, research and light industrial.
The amendment was prompted then by the city’s desire to attract hotel and convention center facilities and only allowed full-service hotels. About two years ago, the city received two proposals for convention centers and supported redevelopment of the Holiday Inn Select site at Diehl and Naper Boulevard.
The project crumbled not long afterward because the hotel’s funding fell through.
“The hotel industry has picked up dramatically [since Sept. 11] ,” Gallaher said. “The city’s definition of full-service hotels needs to be evaluated in light of circumstances.”
Wayne Van Tubbergen, vice president of human resources and risk management of the neighboring company WestfaliaSurge, said he was concerned about the increased traffic to the area if the hotel is built.
The commission continued the public hearing to Aug. 16.