Saint John council advances proposed Hyatt hotel development
Saint John Council has approved the first steps toward a proposed hotel development on the city’s east side that could become the closest hotel to Saint John Airport.
Council gave the project first and second readings during Monday’s meeting.
The proposal calls for a five-storey Hyatt hotel at 615-631 Loch Lomond Rd. If it receives final approval at a third reading, expected at the next council meeting, the hotel would be located about 25 minutes from the airport, making it the closest hotel to the facility.
Ontario-based Lakeview Development is proposing the project in partnership with Hyatt Hotels.
Hyatt is a U.S.-based hospitality company that owns, manages, and franchises hotels, resorts, and all-inclusive properties in more than 80 countries.
Last month, the planning advisory committee approved a partial rezoning of the property from mid-rise residential to business park to allow for the hotel development. The committee also approved a variance to permit the creation of a lot without street frontage, facilitating a subdivision of the property.
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The committee recommended council require the developer to pay $25,000 toward traffic-related improvements.
At the planning advisory committee meeting, Lakeview Development CFO Umar Mehmood said the project would operate under Hyatt Studios, the company’s extended-stay hotel brand. The concept offers guests self-service amenities and in-room features while maintaining Hyatt’s standard guest experience.
During Monday’s council meeting, Coun. Paul Dempsey raised concerns about the project’s potential effect on traffic.
City staff said a traffic impact study found existing level-of-service concerns at nearby intersections but concluded the hotel is not expected to significantly affect traffic operations in the area.
No construction timeline was mentioned in the meeting.
Council voted unanimously to advance the project.