Richmond’s highway commercial zoning limits buildings’ heights to 40 feet, and that’s not enough for a four-story hotel.
Needing more than 17 extra feet, Ani Lodging LLC requested a 60-foot maximum for its planned TownePlace Suites by Marriott on West Eaton Pike, as reported in the April 16 WWN. The Richmond Board of Zoning appeals approved 3-0 on April 23 the requested variance, clearing the way for the 57-foot-1 5/8-inch, four-story project.
George Sowers, a local attorney who represented Ani Lodging during the BZA hearing, said three other east-side hotels — the Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Home 2 Suites — already extend above 50 feet in the area of the U.S. 40 and Interstate 70 interchange.
Sowers said the 4.51-acre lot across West Eaton Pike from the Lowe’s Home Improvement store is under contract for Ani Lodging to purchase. According to the site plan submitted with the variance request, the project plans a 19,700-square-foot structure with 117 parking spaces.
Two other variance requests received unanimous BZA approval during the April 23 meeting.
Linda and William Gray received a variance for the minimum front-yard setback in agricultural zoning for a home built at 2770 Bryant Drive. The home was built without the builder realizing that it encroached on the setback requirement.
The lot is a corner lot, so for zoning purposes, it has two front yards. The north yard bordering Nolands Fork Road is at the side of the house, which faces Bryant Drive. The BZA approved a 58-foot setback for that yard.
Sherry Jones also received a setback variance for her residence at 1458 N.W. Fifth St. She plans to build a 24-foot-by-30-foot garage and a 12-foot-by-26-foot shed on the narrow lot that is zoned outdoor commercial.
The side-yard setback minimum is 30 feet, and the existing home already does not meet that requirement. The variance approval requires the garage be at least 6 feet from the property line.
The site has previously been used as a car lot and an asphalt business.
The BZA will next meet at 5:30 p.m. May 14.
A version of this article appeared in the April 30 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.