Ancaster hotel takes first step forward
February 20, 2008
Nicole MacIntyre
The Hamilton Spectator
A new Ancaster hotel is over its first hurdle at city hall.
The city's economic development and planning committee gave preliminary approval yesterday for the construction of a six-storey, 113-room Holiday Inn in the Meadowlands area.
The hotel and a twin office tower, worth up to $40 million, violate Ancaster's three-storey height restriction of three storeys maximum.
But staff still endorsed the proposal by Dennis Vranich and John Bukovac on Old Golf Links Road just off the Linc.
The buildings are being built at the bottom of a slope, which will make their height look comparable to surrounding buildings.
"We're really taking advantage of being in a hole," said Sergio Manchia, the developers' agent. "This is a very significant project."
Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson said he supported the hotel proposal after extensive consultation with the community.
"Ancaster needs a hotel."
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/327277