The Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 25 approved a special exception to allow a 5-story hotel in the downtown commercial district. The hotel, previously approved for four stories, is a project of developer Steve Gulas.

Though previously approved for a 4-story hotel at the site, Gulas returned to the commission proposing a 5-story hotel with a maximum height of 60 feet, to be located on Ga. Highway 85 North across from the intersection with Lafayette Avenue, within a block of the courthouse square. Both the number of floors and the proposed height conformed to the city’s ordinance.

Project representative Larry Bielski also answered questions from commissioners.

The vote to approve the special exception was 5-0.

City planning staff recommended approval, noting the conformity with the ordinance, and adding that the Meridian on the Square development approved for property across Hwy. 85 is of a similar height.

As proposed, and if subsequently approved, the hotel would be part of the Marriot SpringHill Suites chain.

Staff noted that the request for a special exception was not a request to approve the conceptual site plan, which will come at a later date.