By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

While no formal action was taken, the Berlin Planning Commission and the Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham developers reached an agreement this week.

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, the town’s planning commission once again were presented concept plans for the proposed Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham planned for Berlin. The outline includes an authentic brick exterior, mature trees around the pool, cornices, plate glass storefronts, and other elements similar to the Victorian downtown area.

Developers initially approached the planning team in March with a proposal to build a four-story, 78-unit Microtel Inn and Suites on the east side of Route 113 near Franklin Avenue. The builders went before the committee again in July, and the group criticized the outlined structure for a lack of Berlin charm. The commission’s priority has been to ensure the hotel matches the town’s historic aesthetics.

In particular, a few planning group members were unhappy with the proposed building’s overall “box” appearance.

“Looking at the current plan, it doesn’t work for me,” Commissioner Pete Cosby said at the summer meeting. “The colors, the architecture, it just doesn’t work … We talked about getting Victorian street lamps; you have three, but not throughout the project. It is just incoherent.”

Through early discussions, the planning commission told developers they wanted to see architecture more aligned with downtown Berlin’s old-school style rather than the simple, boxy design typical of standard Microtels. Per those conversations, bricks at the facility’s entrance, an enclosure for the pool, cornices, Victorian-style lights, and mature trees were added to the outline shown in July.

The commission said the changes were insufficient. The developer’s legal team encouraged the commission to provide specific design guidelines, which the town does not currently have to provide to prospective developers. The builders were told to regroup and return, which they did this week. This time, as more aspects similar to Berlin’s uniqueness were added and enhanced, the commission was receptive to the upgraded proposal.

The revised elevations for the hotel were inspired by various structures throughout Berlin. While some brick was added to the plans shown in July, the upgraded design presented this week replaces brick veneer with authentic brick instead.

The material, placed on the left side of the hotel from the top of the cornices down, will be sourced and repurposed from old buildings nearing the end of their lives.

Developers also intend to add splashes of brick around the pool area and on walkways.

“It will be authentic, used, old, 100-year-old brick on a third of the hotel,” site applicant Thomas Zambetis said.

To capture Berlin’s historic charm, the developers’ plan includes simple geometric forms like Outten’s Delites, flat roofs with parapets similar to Heart of Gold Kids, and large plate glass storefronts like those at Beach Memories Studio.

Brick is planned as the material underneath the glass storefronts in the proposed hotel. The commission recommended that developers use paneling instead, as seen at Beach Memories Studio, to remain cost-effective.

Some commission members said that they would like to see canopies placed on the building as well.

The developers also note the roof will be constructed to support solar and maintain it will not be visible.

Mark Cropper, attorney for applicant Zambetis, said the goal was to have the elevations approved at last Wednesday night’s meeting. However, per the discussions with the town’s planning commission, the developer agreed to make additional minor modifications and return within the next few weeks to get the concept plans approved.

The current moratorium that prohibits the planning commission from signing off on final site plans, annexation requests, and rezoning until a new planning director is hired does not apply to Microtel’s impending elevation authorization. The project must undergo a few more design phases before ultimate approval, allowing the planning commission to confirm the preliminary outline.

“The intent was not to stop everything in its tracks,” Berlin Administrator Mary Bohlen said of the pause. “It was to get everything as far as it could but stop just shy of the final site approval.”