Grants Pass, Ore. — Despite some Grants Pass residents opposing a hotel expansion, the city council approved a decision tonight to expand the Taprock Hotel.
With a six to one vote, city councilors are upholding a decision to allow Taprock Hotel to expand with an extra 24 rooms, but some conditions apply.
Those conditions include a lighted walkway that makes it clear Hamilton House shares parking and limiting the use of the convention center to a patron and their guest.
Residents who live across the street are concerned about the availability of parking, the building’s height that could potentially cast a shadow on their neighborhood and traffic from the event center.
But Max Bonder who has designed the hotel thinks they have come to a good compromise.
“We no longer have the event center available to the public so there’s going to be quite a bit of less traffic demand on the surrounding areas so we hope that pleases the neighbors,” Bonder said.
Bonder says they fit all the criteria in the Grants Pass development code.
Those in favor of the expansion say it’ll add to tourism to Grants Pass and with the hotel being close to full June through September, they’d like to see more rooms available.
Bonder says if all goes as planned, the hope is to start the expansion next year.
However, those who oppose the city council’s decision can still appeal.
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