Courtyard By Marriott Hotel At 3220 Katy Fwy.

[fwki]

Hotel tower and parking garage, 148 rooms....I'm guessing 7 total floors including ground level lobby given the small foot print of 8,250 SF.

 

It's on the April 3 PC agenda for a driveway Variance, see Item V:

ftp://edrc.houstontx.gov//2014/2014-07_DraftAgenda.pdf

 

[Angostura]

I think the variance should be rejected if for no other reason than it was written in comic sans.  (Only partially joking.)

[s3mh]

There is no sign posted on the property for the variance.  I am pretty sure that they needed one.

 

This is a pretty significant variance they are seeking.  If the neighborhood turns out, they will have a very difficult time getting through the planning commission.

[Houston19514]

I can't open the link.  What is the variance they are seeking?

[BullMan008]

April Fools?

[s3mh]

http://ataps1.pd.ci.houston.tx.us/DRC/PC+Meeting+Calendar.nsf

 

Scroll down and lick on "Current Agenda".  It is almost at the end of the big pdf file for the April 3 agenda.

[fwki]

I can't open the link.  What is the variance they are seeking?

 

The agenda is big with all the plats, takes a minute or so to download, be patient and it will complete.  The variance is for a typical hotel lobby driveway loop on Columbia since the rules say no hotel driveway on a residential street.  They cite safety as a big reason with the highway exit right on top of Oxford St.  They also state the main traffic entrance will be behind the hotel into the garage on 4th St. which is not residential. 

 

Edit: Here's just Item V attached

Item V 2014-07_DraftAgenda.pdf

Edited April 1, 2014 by fwki

[Houston19514]

The agenda is big with all the plats, takes a minute or so to download, be patient and it will complete.  The variance is for a typical hotel lobby driveway loop on Columbia since the rules say no hotel driveway on a residential street.  They cite safety as a big reason with the highway exit right on top of Oxford St.  They also state the main traffic entrance will be behind the hotel into the garage on 4th St. which is not residential. 

 

Edit: Here's just Item V attached

Item V 2014-07_DraftAgenda.pdf

 

Thanks.  FWIW, the earlier link will not download anything as it takes me to a page that requires a sign-in.

[Angostura]

There is no sign posted on the property for the variance.  I am pretty sure that they needed one.

 

This is a pretty significant variance they are seeking.  If the neighborhood turns out, they will have a very difficult time getting through the planning commission.

 

 

I'm guessing they only configured it this way because TXDOT prohibited them from taking access from the feeder. (The variance request makes reference to this.)

 

Given the wider setback required along the feeder, they'd be able to build a bigger total footprint if the driveway were placed along the feeder frontage instead of Columbia St.

[Heightsite]

Any guesses on what that will do to property values for homes south of White Oak?

[JJxvi]

No effect.

[s3mh]

No posted notice is required for a hotel variance.  This may sneak through if the Planning Commission is not vigilant.  I do not think that anyone is aware of this. 

[lockmat]

Wasn't there a holiday inn built just a mile or so up the road? Was it not a big deal because it wasn't in Heights proper?

I really don't see what the big deal is. They already have a major highway as a neighbor and this is on the feeder. Someone please enlighten me.

[fwki]

I'm not sure why anyone would oppose a new hotel on an interstate feeder surrounded by commercial tracts.  One thing for sure, if it is built, I'll use it for friends and family, especially during events and holidays when Sara's is booked.

[fwki]

Variance granted, unanimous vote.

[mollusk]

The next block north of the feeder one immediately gets into single family residential.  That said, I'm pretty agnostic about it; if anything, it might act as a bit of a sound break

[s3mh]

Wasn't there a holiday inn built just a mile or so up the road? Was it not a big deal because it wasn't in Heights proper?

I really don't see what the big deal is. They already have a major highway as a neighbor and this is on the feeder. Someone please enlighten me.

 

Hampton Inn.  It wasn't a big deal because its was completely separated from the neighboring residential neighborhood (Cottage Grove) by a set of railroad track and had its driveways on major thoroughfares. 

 

The big deal is having a hotel dump all of its traffic onto residential streets.  The ordinance is clear that hotels must have primary access from a major thoroughfare.  Even in zoning free Houston, it is not very controversial to prohibit a hotel from using a residential street as its primary access point. 

 

And no.  The fact that a neighborhood is burdened by one thing does not mean that they thereby consent to any and all additional burdens and are forbidden from seeking the protections of very basic and prudent land use regulations. 

 

The finger wagging really needs to go at whoever bought this property with plenty of notice (i.e. look at google maps notice) that there would be an issue with the driveway cut and the proximity of the feeder. 

 

 

 

[JJxvi]

My goodness, I hope these Hotel residents won't get lost in the Heights.  Hopefully they will be able to find I-10 somehow from the hotel's driveway.

[JJxvi]

 

The finger wagging really needs to go at whoever bought this property with plenty of notice (i.e. look at google maps notice) that there would be an issue with the driveway cut and the proximity of the feeder. 

 

Well, I'm a bit of an odd duck, but MY hope is that common sense would rule and that people would realize that this is obviously a commercial lot on a multi-lane access rd for a 10 lane major highway and is not remotely going to be dumping people into the middle of a neighborhood and grant a variance.

 

Thank God we don't have property laws that are on stone tablets like the 10 commandments saying "THOU SHALT NOT BUILD THY HOTEL DRIVEWAY ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET EVEN IF THE ONLY PLACE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO TO AND FROM YOUR PROPERTY IS STRAIGHT ONTO THE HIGHWAY"

Edited April 4, 2014 by JJxvi

[nervouslaughter]

My goodness, I hope these Hotel residents won't get lost in the Heights.  Hopefully they will be able to find I-10 somehow from the hotel's driveway.

And hopefully they won't dare peer out the window into the direction of the Heights. Gasp!

[s3mh]

Well, I'm a bit of an odd duck, but MY hope is that common sense would rule and that people would realize that this is obviously a commercial lot on a multi-lane access rd for a 10 lane major highway and is not remotely going to be dumping people into the middle of a neighborhood and grant a variance.

 

Thank God we don't have property laws that are on stone tablets like the 10 commandments saying "THOU SHALT NOT BUILD THY HOTEL DRIVEWAY ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET EVEN IF THE ONLY PLACE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO TO AND FROM YOUR PROPERTY IS STRAIGHT ONTO THE HIGHWAY"

 

You are an odd duck if you think that everyone going to and from the hotel will automatically go to the I-10 feeder.  The simple fact is that there will be more traffic on the residential streets if you put the driveways for the hotel on the residential streets than if you put the driveways on the feeder.  That is why we have the ordinance. 

 

Also, the configuration they have chosen doesn't really solve the driveway issue.  They will be putting most of the traffic onto Columbia, which is right across from the highway exit.  If they put the entrance on Oxford, the traffic coming out of the hotel would enter the feeder before the highway exit. 

 

[JJxvi]

Perhaps you're right and we'll wish that the neighbors had all done more petitions and put out signs to "Stop the Heights Hotel Driveway!" but I doubt it. 

 

Also this driveway is just the covered luggage drop off, not the main traffic driveway.  The main car entry and exit to the parking garage is on 4th St.

Edited April 4, 2014 by JJxvi

[s3mh]

 

 

Also this driveway is just the covered luggage drop off, not the main traffic driveway.  The main car entry and exit to the parking garage is on 4th St.

 

The driveway on 4th St. is the worst alternative in terms of putting traffic onto residential streets.  If they had a single driveway on Oxford, they would have a half decent argument for a variance.  That street has the big apartment complex on one side and traffic turning onto the feeder from Oxford is before the off ramp.  But putting the bulk of the traffic onto 4th street is the worst alternative for the neighborhood.  People who do not know any better will head west on 4th (east dead ends at the apartment complex).  They will then end up either trying to cut through the neighborhood or trying to pry their way across Heights Blvd. and 4th to get back to I-10.  All traffic issues that the ordinance was designed to protect.

 

 

[Heightsite]

Hopefully the hotel's security will help prevent auto break-ins since it's nearly a daily occurrence for The Alexan residents. Oh wait, maybe there will be more cars to target....

[fwki]

Oh yes, in general business travelers are idiots with very poor eyesight, and once on 4th St I don't think they'll stop at Heights, they will likely continue searching for I-10 across Yale and right into the Trammell Crow green space, spinning donuts all over the pristine White Oak Estuary and mosquito factory.  Somebody alert the West Heights Coalition about this threat pronto.

And in unanimously granting the variance, the Planning Commission did not even mention that if pigs could fly we'd have a Pink Floyd concert.  It just goes to show you that the Heights is not well represented on this PC.

[SilverJK]

I look forward to having my friends/family stay here when they come visit. 

[Heightsite]

Any updates on this project?

HHA reported this last April...Marriott Hotel I-10 at Columbia – a variance was approved to allow entry to the property from Columbia for safety reasons.

[Urbannizer]

Some sort of hotel proposed for The Heights @ I-10 and Columbia St.

 

SubdivisionPlatPDF_HEIGHTS PLAT REV 1.pdf

[Houston19514]

I think we discussed this hotel proposal in another thread a while back.

 

Found it:

 

Marriott Courtyard

Edited November 5, 2014 by Houston19514

[houstontexasjack]

Columbia St....can we call this hotel the Knickerbocker or Morningside Heights?

[toxtethogrady]

As long as it's not the Chelsea.

[Urbannizer]

I think we discussed this hotel proposal in another thread a while back.

 

Found it:

 

Marriott Courtyard

 

Thanks! I looked around to see if it was the same location, but couldn't find the topic. Threads merged.

[Heightsite]

What's up with "Forest Lawn Annex"? Sounds like a cemetery. Doesn't The Heights extend south of I10?

[Heightsite]

The house at 4th and Oxford is hitting the road soon. Any renderings yet?

[TowerSpotter]

On 1/12/2015 at 3:43 PM, Heightsite said:

The house at 4th and Oxford is hitting the road soon. Any renderings yet?

 

I am not 100% sure if these are the renderings to this project however the height and the parking garage suggest its designed for the inner city. 

 

http://dr-architects.com/portfolio/courtyard-marriott-houston-texas/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mollusk]

Well, that's not quite as grim as the DG Embassy or Hampton/Homewood...

[Heightsite]

Nextdoor's reporting the project's back on board. Lots cleared and yellow flags up. Anyone have the new renderings, if different from prior posts?

[Purdueenginerd]

Oh hey, this is a few blocks from my office. I'll see if I can snap some pictures tomorrow. 

 

Not a huge fan of that rendering, but those from windows are going to have a great view of the city. 

[Angostura]

22 hours ago, Purdueenginerd said:

Oh hey, this is a few blocks from my office. I'll see if I can snap some pictures tomorrow. 

 

Not a huge fan of that rendering, but those from windows are going to have a great view of the city. 

 

It's the back windows that face downtown. The garage fronts Oxford, the hotel fronts Columbia.

[skooljunkie]

A crane went up about a week or two ago...I believe it sits on this site. 

[hindesky]

[Triton]

Courtyard by Marriott by Marc longoria, on Flickr

[Highrise Tower]

 

 

[EllenOlenska]

[EllenOlenska]

[Visitor]

Anyone heard a completion date on this? Have family coming in May and this would be ultra convenient. 

 

Update: only source I could find indicates a June 2019 target. 

Edited February 26, 2019 by Visitor

[hindesky]

[hindesky]

[Visitor]

Set to open this August

[hindesky]

Nice looking building. I like the modern touches.