Falls Church Council Approves Land for Hotel Project

Falls Church City Council unanimously voted Monday night to allow a special exception for 1.2 acres of land and a 0.68-acre land rezoning from T-1 to B-1 limited business district to build a Hilton Garden Inn.

The 65-foot tall hotel, proposed by Gosnell Palmer Holdings, LLC, would be built in the 700 block of W. Broad St. Monday, city officials and residents were split between supporting or not supporting the hotel.

“I do think this is a good project for the city,” said City Manager Wyatt Shields.

The next step is to develop a site plan for the hotel now that land is for the project has been approved. Barry Gosnell said his group will work with the city to plan out staging areas during construction. In 2008 the applicant proposed a 4-year timeframe to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification, the internationally recognized standard for constructing the greenest and most energy efficient high performance buildings. Monday, Gosnell Palmer Holdings President Rich Palmer said if the hotel does not achieve LEED certification within three years after receiving an occupant certificate for the hotel, his company will pay the city $50,000. City Economic Development Director Rick Goff said the net fiscal impact of having the hotel would be between $430,000 and $644,000 annually. Palmer said his group has offered to meet with Falls Church Parents for Safety about the hotel being so close to a school.

During public comment, Shawn Martin, of Falls Church, said the area being considered to build the hotel is not a good location and not just because it would impede on traffic. He said the hotel would be crammed into a small space and guests would have to hear students at the at play during recess.

“There are many other places in the city to put a hotel of this quality,” Martin said to council.

For some, the hotel would symbolize convenience and opportunity.

When Gary Laporta’s family comes to visit, they end up staying at hotels in Tyson’s Corner or other areas outlining the City of Falls Church. If a hotel were standing in Falls Church, his family would be closer.

“I live three blocks from where they want to build the hotel,” Laporta said. “It would be nice to have them go three blocks to see me or me go see them.”

Sally Cole, executive director of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce, said the organization backed and supported the hotel coming to the city. She said the hotel would bring at least 30 new jobs to the city, add meeting space and guests would pump money into the city’s businesses.

“This hotel will benefit the community in many ways,” Cole said. “The city needs an upscale hotel facility.”