By Roland Murphy for AZBEX
After receiving aesthetic review approvals from the Yuma Design and Historic Review Commission on March 22, two new projects can move ahead with their construction plans.
Extended Stay America Hotel
In the first, civil engineering and site design firm Dahl, Robins & Associates had requested the review on behalf of owner Yuma Land Company LLC for an Extended Stay America Hotel planned for 550 S. Rio Vista Drive.
The planned four-story, 124-room hotel would be situated on 2.9 acres of currently vacant, undeveloped land and would have a gross floor area of 53.9KSF, according to the staff report. Building height is planned for 50’6” from the ground to the top of the parapet.
The staff report submitted to the Commission found, “The proposed Extended Stay America Hotel plans show a contemporary design theme, screening of rooftop equipment, a trash enclosure with color-matching masonry and solid steel gates, and an overall color and texture palette consistent with their corporate image and the Rio Vista Design Guidelines; thereby complimenting the surroundings while bringing needed attention to this prominent commercial site.”
Exceptional Healthcare Ambulatory Surgical Center
The Commission also approved an aesthetic review for a proposed ambulatory surgical center from Exceptional Healthcare.
The plan seeks to build the approximately 15KSF center on a vacant 2.9-acre parcel next to the existing Exceptional Healthcare Hospital. The building components consist of a three-room ambulatory surgery center of 9.7KSF and a 5.3KSF support clinic.
In recommending the project for approval, planning staff said, “The proposed surgical center has a design which picks up the architectural theme from the nearby Exceptional Health Hospital on Araby Road, and it includes Aesthetic Overlay Standards such as: the screening of rooftop equipment, a trash enclosure with color-matching masonry and solid steel gates, and an overall color and texture palette consistent with their corporate identity, and cohesive with other adjacent developments.”
Both projects met the existing zoning for their sites. Having received approval from the Commission, both may now move to procure their required permits and begin construction.
