FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County officials deferred a vote on code changes that would tighten the definitions of extended stay hotels and amenities citing concerns raised by the Planning Commission.
At a March 7 formal meeting, the Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to postpone the final vote and public hearing on the changes to April 18.
As proposed, the changes would amend the county Unified Development Code to outline the differences between a hotel and an extended stay hotel or motel, as well as help county staff identify extended stay components in dual-branded hotels.
Originally presented at a County Commission work session in January, the UDC amendments were targeted to address dual-branded hotels. The county defines dual-branded hotels as establishments that house two separate hotels in one building.
With the changes, hotels or motels with any rooms that include cooking facilities and refrigerators larger than 3.5 cubic feet would be considered extended stay. Hotels with common areas for cooking would also fall into the category.
Refrigerators larger than 3.5 cubic feet, ovens and cooktops would not be allowed in hotels. The proposed changes do not affect motels.
The code changes also outline a separate definition for an amenity-rich hotel, which offers “a wide variety of premium amenities and exceptional services” including spas, ballrooms, 24-hour room service and high-end furnishings.
Amenity-rich hotels would be exempt from the extended stay definition, and restrictions would be determined by the property’s specific zoning conditions.
At its Feb. 27 meeting, the County Planning Commission voted unanimously to postpone a recommendation on the matter, preferring more time to weigh the proposal and its ramifications.
The Board of Commissioners March 7 meeting would have marked the second required hearing on the…
Read the full article here
