Woohoo! 61 ft!!

In the case of Erie's Bayfront, I don't mind height limits... though 50 ft is pretty ridiculous. Any variance a developer asks for is granted, so the limit is rarely enforced since there hasn't been huge interest in development there yet anyway. Though, I think keeping bay views preserved is a wise move.

Erie Zoning Hearing Board approves height variance for proposed bayfront hotel

A proposed new $30 million hotel at the Bayfront Convention Center needs several approvals from the city of Erie to become a reality.

The project received one of them Tuesday.

The Erie Zoning Hearing Board voted 4-1 to grant a height-related zoning variance for the hotel, which would connect to the Bayfront Convention Center.

The hotel would stand 61 feet high. Zoning rules along Erie's bayfront, though, limit the height of structures to 50 feet.

The Erie County Convention Center Authority asked the Zoning Hearing Board to sign off on the variance so that the hotel can exceed the bayfront height restriction.

Local architect Jeff Kidder told the Zoning Hearing Board that the hotel must be built vertically, rather than horizontally, because of space limitations at the site. Kidder is working on the hotel project with the lead architectural firm, Denver-based Sink Combs Dethlefs.

The proposed 191-room Courtyard by Marriott would be built just west of the Convention Center, in an area that is currently an employee parking lot and loading area.