Proposal Seeks To Change Hotel Approval Process

Hotel developers could face a more rigorous approval process under a proposal by City Council member Eric Gioia of Queens.

According to Mr. Gioia, hotels built in the Dutch Kills section of Queens face fewer barriers because the area is still zoned for manufacturing, even though it now contains residential housing as well.

"It's a loophole in the law because ten or fifteen years ago, no one wanted to build a hotel in Queens," Mr. Gioia said yesterday. "But now with economic development in all five boroughs you have these buildings that are totally out of character with the neighborhood."

Mr. Gioia is asking that developers be required to obtain a special permit from the Department of City Planning before construction and face scrutiny from the City Council and community groups.