A Visalia developer wants to build a four-story hotel on one of the main entrances to the busy end of Hanford, a project city planners hailed as an "welcome addition" to the city with a growing need for hospitality industry and a conference space.

New Rooms Enterprises has submitted plans earlier this year for a 90-room Holiday Inn Express -- a mid-priced hotel chain within the InterContinental Hotels Group family of brands -- on Glendale Avenue inside the Hanford Auto Mall. The site is west of the new Huyndai dealership.

So far, the plans for the hotel -- which include a restaurant and a meeting hall -- have been smooth sailing.

On Tuesday, the Hanford City Planning Commission gave a thumbs-up.

"A meeting room -- I think that's something our community is lacking. This project will really fill that void," said Commissioner Sue Sorensen.

Also pleased with the proposal, Commissioner Russell Nabors called the project a "welcome addition" to Hanford, saying it "aesthetically enhances the area."

The commission voted 4-0 to approve the variance requested by the developer, who wants to raise the height of the structure to four stories for the proposed motel. The city ordinance normally allows the maximum of three stories, or a maximum of 50 feet, for any structure in the city.

John Zumwalt, civil engineer for the project, said the extra height would help confine the development within a four-acre parcel while ensuring adequate parking for the hotel, ultimately conserving land space.

Anil Chagal, a partner in the hotel development business, said the city's steady commercial growth, as witnessed in the big box stores and restaurants that sprouted in the area during the past few years, have attracted the company.

Visitors, both on business and on leisure, may not have look far for new options to the hotel, which is a short walk from Sequoia Inn on Mall Drive.

"It's a good location because there's no residences nearby and the site will put guests close to restaurants, bars and shopping centers. From a business perspective, Holiday Inn will drive its own customers because of its name recognition," Chagal said, adding that the new hotel will fulfill its niche as a venue for conferecens and business meetings.

"Right now, a lot of professional meetings, which could come to Hanford, are going to Visalia," Chagal said.

Chagal is no stranger to Hanford. He was a consultant to a developer who brought Comfort Inn to Hanford.

It will take about three-four months to work through the permitting process. If everything goes well, the groundbreaking should take place in January, Chagal said.

"Financial markets are tight right now, but we hope to start building by January," Chagal said.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(Sept. 25, 2008)