A development permit for a Best Western hotel near the Trans-Canada Highway is close to being issued by the city after being recommended by the Committee of the Whole last Tuesday.

The development permit for the 4.5 storey hotel, to be called the Boulder Mountain Lodge, went in front of the Committee of the Whole last Tuesday.

The city has requested that a landscaping buffer be put in to screen the parking area from pedestrian view. So far the plan does not reflect this request. A letter of credit to cover the landscaping works is required for the development permit to be issued.

The exterior lighting details also require confirmation to ensure it does not impact the surrounding neighbourhood, particularly nearby homes.

City staff asked that the developer be responsible for providing off-site services such as street improvements on Pearkes Drive and sidewalks on Pearkes Drive and Laforme Boulevard.

The hotel is being built by Revelstoke Land & Development Co. Ltd., which also owns the Regent Inn, amongst other properties in town.

The Boulder Mountain liquor store currently located on the site will be amalgamated into the hotel building.

The hotel entrance will be located on Laforme Boulevard and the liquor store entrance will be on Pearkes Drive.

Because of the scale of the project, council suggested placing plans and drawings of the project at city hall and other public venues.

In the end, the development permit was recommended on the conditions of the receipt of a letter of credit for landscaping works, confirmation of the exterior lighting plans, receipt of a development service agreement for the off-site services to be provided by the developer, and re-zoning of part of the property.

The development permit does not allow for construction. A seperate building permit must be issued before ground can be broken on the site.