Developer seeks zoning variance to clear way for proposed hotel

AC Hotel, parking lot considered for Triangle at Classen Curve

A new hotel could be headed to the Triangle at Classen Curve development, if it can receive a zoning variance from the city.

The requested variance would allow for the construction of an AC Hotel and parking lot at 6201 N Western Ave. AC Hotels are a modern chain of hotels operated by Marriott.

The chain has hotels around the globe, including one in Bricktown at 411 E Sheridan Ave.

The proposed site of the new hotel would sit on the same block as Whole Foods, Anthropologie and Zoe’s Kitchen. The land is owned by OKC North Triangle LLC and is about two acres in size.

Records filed with the Oklahoma City Board of Adjustment show a request to build the new hotel within 10 feet of the property line along North Western Avenue instead of the required 25 feet.

An exception to the zoning code is necessary to build the hotel according to current plans, Oklahoma City Assistant Attorney Laura McDevitt said.

Approval of the variance could lead to the obtaining of building permits.

However, if the variance is not approved, other plans will have to be made that don’t encroach on the property line.

For the request to be granted, the applicant must prove the ordinance would create unnecessary hardship and the variance would not cause substantial detriment to the public good, among others.

The application submitted to the Board of Adjustment describes the difficulty of fitting the hotel and parking lot in the space as it is bound by other development. The proposed site is the last piece of undeveloped land on the block, according to the request, and that relief from the setback requirement is consistent with other development in the area.

It will not be a detriment to the public good, the application said, saying the proposed variance is minimal.

“Due to the urban nature of the area, the approved variance would not negatively impact the local community,” the proposal said. “The proposed development will be occurring between an approved mixed-use development and the Chesapeake campus . ... With proposed landscaping masking this area, this encroachment will be negligible.”

The board holds its meeting at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.