Developers seek 11-foot height exception for proposed Hampton Inn at South Highway Drive

An applicant seeking to build a Hampton Inn at 942 South Highway Drive asked the City of Fenton’s committee Dec. 12 to approve an 11-foot height exception under site-plan review so the hotel’s average parapet could reach roughly 61 feet.

Brad Pryor, the applicant’s representative, told the committee the district’s code allows a 50-foot maximum but also provides a mechanism to grant exceptions during site-plan review when a nationally branded design requires a greater height. "Our height will be the average parapet will be at 61 feet, so it'd be an 11 feet exception," Pryor said.

Aldermen questioned how this request compared to recent approvals in the same corridor — staff noted earlier approvals such as Home2 Suites with portions near 60–61 feet — and asked about impacts to adjacent businesses’ visibility and signage. Pryor said an existing access easement will remain open and that the hotel design meets Hampton brand standards; the current concept shows about 95 rooms across five stories.

Staff and aldermen emphasized that both height and exterior-material exceptions are reviewed case by case and that prior approvals are not automatic precedent. The committee moved the matter forward for full-board consideration and public hearing.

Next steps include public hearing notice and placement on a future full-board agenda where the board will take final action.