New Hilton hotel in Burbank gets final approval
The City Council on Tuesday signed off on plans to bring a Hilton Garden Inn to Burbank, hailing the proposed hotel as a “great project” for the city.
The six-story, 210-room hotel — approved by the Planning Board last month — was brought before the council after Burbank resident Kevin Hall appealed the project, citing a desire for additional public input. But officials announced Tuesday that he had dropped the appeal.
In April, Hall told the Planning Board the hotel’s construction would compromise the “tranquillity of downtown Burbank.”
Although Hall withdrew his appeal, roughly 135 residents signed a petition opposing the project. Neighbors worried that construction would increase traffic and demand for parking, potentially disrupting the nearby senior living complexes and school, while also creating hazards for cyclists traveling on Verdugo Avenue.
But the project, which is slated to create 67 jobs, garnered unanimous support from the City Council.
“This is a great project, it’s going to benefit the city and it’s going to benefit the residents in the long run,” said Councilman Jess Talamantes.
According to a city report, the project would generate just 48 extra car trips during peak hours.
Additionally, the hotel plan does not include banquet halls or conference rooms, and will thus be used for “the sole and exclusive use of guests,” said Clare Look-Jaeger, principal engineer for Linscott, Law and Greenspan. The firm determined that the 168 parking spaces proposed would meet the demand for parking.
Construction is scheduled to kick off in December, with completion estimated for sometime in March 2015.
-- Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com