When one sets out to build something largely unprecedented, there are bound to be tweaks needed here and there.
Construction on Ambiente: A Landscape Hotel, located directly across from the Les Springs subdivision entrance on State Route 89A, has been underway for a few months.
A city report states that the applicant, Mike Stevenson, has begun developing the project and refined some of the project concepts. There are a number of modifications that Stevenson would like to make to the approved plans.
While staff has some latitude to approve minor changes to previously approved development plans without review, the scope of the changes currently proposed required Planning and Zoning Commission review.
P&Z did that on Tuesday, Oct. 20, approving the changes by a 6-1 vote with Eric Brandt being the dissenting vote.
Commissioners approved modifications to the layout of the entryway that include amending the lobby and check-in building, poolside lounge building, atrium units and workforce housing unit.
In addition, commissioners approved removing the off-highway trail in the Arizona Department of Transportation right-of-way, as well as moving HVAC systems to the roof of atrium units and increasing site lighting levels.
The hotel is the brainchild of Stevenson, who has been a business and property owner in the Verde Valley for many years. The triangular-shaped parcel has approximately 760 feet of frontage adjacent to State Route 89A and the other two sides of the parcel are adjacent to the Coconino National Forest on the north and Crestview Community Church and St. John Vianney Catholic Church to the west. In all, the development sits on 3.1 acres.
Guest lodging for Ambiente is comprised of 40 individual atriums. The 576-square-foot atriums will have a small cube-shaped footprint, elevated off the ground by four steel piers. The piers will eliminate the need to grade a building’s pad site. This pier technique will allow each unit, as they are being constructed, to be rotated and individually placed at angles to fit within the existing trees, vegetation and drainage areas, a city document states.
Two concerns commissioners raised was whether or not the project would be incorporating solar energy and Stevenson’s request for an increase in lighting affecting the city’s dark skies. Stevenson said they do plan to have solar, with panels being located atop the covered parking. As for lighting, he said he understands the concern but plans to keep it below the maximum amount allowed.
“Our commitment has always been to dark skies in that area. We did that with Mariposa and kept all the lights as low as possible,” he said, referring to the Mexican food restaurant he built a short distance northeast. “We’re going to do the same thing with this project. We’re going to be working with the city staff with our lighting.”
