Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Surprise! Ridgeland Aldermen extend hotel moratorium.

The Ridgeland Hotel Wars continue.  The Madison County Journal reported last week:


City officials tabled multiple site plans and architectural reviews for three new hotels here until November for developers who have made multiple failed petitions in the past for a height variance.

The matter was originally scheduled to be tabled until the second meeting in October, but Alderman-at-Large D.I. Smith motioned to table the issue until the first meeting in November. The city currently has a moratorium on new hotels set to expire Oct. 31.

Ward 2 Alderman Chuck Gautier recused himself from discussion and the vote due to his work with Kerioth Corporation. City officials voted unanimously, 6-0, to table the issue until the first meeting in November.

Site plans and architectural reviews were included on the agenda for three proposed hotels by Ridgeland Hospitality group that include a Tru by Hilton, Holliday Inn and Holiday Inn Express located for West Ridgeland Avenue between Sunnybrook Road and the new I-55 Frontage Road across from the old Fitness Lady building.

The plans were approved unanimously by the architectural review board in June contingent that certain changes were made, largely dealing with lighting and landscaping in the parking lot.

Included in the packet presented to the board were an electrical plan for the Holiday Inn building and a rendering of the Tru by Hilton.

No representatives of the development presented on Tuesday evening, though representatives of the company Todd Reeves, Chico Patel and Ali Bhatti have been present in the past and expressed displeasure with the hotel moratorium.

Developers say they have already spent $3 million on the hotel project. The city has denied a height variance for the project to allow for a third floor. The total project would be approximately $30 million, according to developers. Developers originally hoped to be wrapping up construction by the beginning of next year.

They often point to a hotel being developed by Kerioth in the Township at Colony Park that has been allowed to continue despite the moratorium. The project needed no petition for relief from the moratorium because it is being developed in a protected overlay district, officials have said.

A 180-day hotel and motel construction moratorium passed unanimously in April with the intention of studying the need and impact hotels were making in Ridgeland, though some aldermen and Mayor Gene McGee have expressed displeasure with the way petitions for relief have been handled.

The moratorium was originally set to expire on Oct. 1, but Ward 5 Alderman Bill Lee added an extension to the agenda at the last meeting in September that extended the moratorium through the end of this month. The measure passed 4-2 with Ward 6 Alderman Wesley Hamlin and Ward 3 Alderman Kevin Holder voting nay and Gautier recusing himself from voting and discussion. Article.

Kingfish note: The reporter didn't include an alteration by the developers. The developers redrew the plans so the petition conformed with the height restrictions but to no avail. 

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

"the intention of studying the need and impact hotels were making in Ridgeland" - otherwise known as how can the City pull more taxes from the developers.

Both Ridgeland and Madison are continuing to make it near impossible to operate any non-corporate businesses in their cities. Architectural whims lead to excessive costs in building a store simply because "someone" didn't like that there is no fancy expensive decorations on the building. This is turn pushes up the costs of the construction and by factor also increases the assessed tax value... a k a higher property tax collections.

I am a small businessman who until two years ago operated a small but successful business in Ridgeland, operating for more than 30 years. I attempted to get a new facility built but could not because the City of Ridgeland had too many demanded changes to my architect's plans - none of which had anything to do with how my business operated, just what it looked like. That was when I decided to retire - paying my architect $2000 and not being able to stay in business.

Eventually one of these days either Ridgeland or Madison, or even Flowood will find themselves with lots of beautiful buildings but no tax base to keep their smooth streets smooth. I will then laugh at them from my home outside Flora.

Anonymous said...

So Kerioth has a "protected approved development" despite poor soil, lawsuits and buildings experiencing trouble? Homeowners do not even have a vote in the "homeowner's" association. These people are not what they said. Even allowed, I suppose with Ridgeland's blessings" a commercial building on the side that WAS dedicated to homeowners. What a hoot.

Ridgeland has so many commercial districts that are so spread out that all homeowners will be living bordering commercial developments along with the 80+ decibel warnings of backup for deliveries at night. I swear they are as bad here as snow removal in the north.

Anonymous said...

How many times have we read on this news site that someone got "blasted" outside some hotel/motel built 30 years ago? And we wonder why they have all these restrictions? Because they don't want just any business, just the business that maintains current demographics. Being called racist can suck but not as bad as violent crime being the norm in your community.

Anonymous said...

I think it is sad how small Madison and Ridgeland think. Instead of worrying about two or three story hotels, they need to think about building capacity and growing exponentially. Given the business, retail and amenities available in Ridgeland around the Renaissance, they need to court a large convention hotel like the Hilton on County Line, but with more meeting space. The new Westin isn't big enough for any really large groups, and the Marriott is old and tired - and small. Even if they get a hotel built by the convention center, Downtown still lacks the quality of life needed for attracting certain business groups.

A new hotel with adequate meeting space would become the premier location to host a meeting in the state if it was located in Ridgeland off I-55. Even now the casino hotels in Tunica and the Coast can't truly accommodate a conference that has over 300 attendees - not when you factor in all the other necessities for a successful conference.

But, let's stick with Costco's and small hotels y'all! And maybe we can even get us one of them swimmin' pool places!

Anonymous said...

The old "Barrier to entry" trick. It isn't the place of the council to decide what is or is not needed. The applicant should sue. Then when election time rolls around you can remind all the voters how the idiot council members caused the tax payers to foot the bill for the lawsuit.

Anonymous said...

Ridgeland is apparently attempting to not make the same error that was made with allowing too many apartments. Good for them to learn from the past, as at some point the "motels" on the low end will look like those on Medgar Evers Drive and Highway 80.

Anonymous said...

@5:15 In doing so they are taking the owner's property rights(LAWSUIT). The group can build whatever brand motel/hotel they want. It is ARB's job to make sure it complies with the city aesthetics. Interesting that Gautier's tune has changed.

Anonymous said...

I hear rumors around town that Chuck has been mighty quiet lately.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.