April 21, 2009 - We might as well change the name of East Lampeter Township to Hotel Township.

One new hotel is set to open, another is close to being built and four others are in various stages of the planning approval process.

Final township inspection of a hotel at the site of the former Eagle Falls Thrills and Spills adventure park at 2343 Lincoln Highway East was completed Friday, township Zoning Officer Lee Young said today.

"All they need is a certificate of occupancy," he said. "They're looking to open next week or the week after."

The Comfort Suites hotel has 76 rooms, he said.

Young said the building of the 70-room Wingate by Wyndham Lancaster-PA Dutch Country hotel at 2110 Lincoln Highway East is nearing completion.

But one revision to the final land development plan still needs to be approved by supervisors and it could happen at their 7:30 meeting tonight at 2250 Old Philadelphia Pike, he said.

Township planners Monday night recommended approval of the revision, which Young said has to do with the fact that the hotel developer originally proposed 63 rooms, but wants to add seven more.

East Lampeter supervisors tonight will also consider granting two time extensions to hotel developers.

East Lancaster Hospitality LLC has received conditional approval for its 78-room hotel planned for just north of the intersection of Routes 30 and 896.

The site is at the southeast corner of Eastbrook Road (Route 896) and Meadowland Drive. It's across Route 896 from a Chinese restaurant, near Rockvale Outlets.

Young said the developer is working on getting the final land development plan recorded and wants supervisors to delay until June their final consideration of the plan.

In another hotel matter tonight, East Lampeter supervisors will consider granting a time extension until mid-August to the proposed 71-room hotel across a Route 30 exit ramp from the East Towne Mall.

The project's 2.6-acre site is at 2060 Lincoln Highway East.

Young said the developer, Mukesh Patel, has received comments from the township engineer regarding storm water issues and other matters that need to be addressed.

Young does not know yet whether a variance from the Zoning Hearing Board will be needed for the project or not.

East Lampeter is waiting to hear from developers of two other proposed hotels in the township as well.

Supervisors on March 2 saw sketch plans for a $7 million project to create 122 hotel rooms at 2331 Lincoln Highway East.

Mark A. Magrecki of Steckbeck Engineering & Surveying Inc. told supervisors that NBA Hotel LLC wanted to update its site to maintain a competitive edge in the industry.

He said at the meeting that the owners wanted to raze the former Italian Villa East restaurant and build an 83-room hotel at the site and connect it with Rodeway Inn's 39-room motel.

Young said the developer has not yet submitted any formal development plans for the project.

Another project in waiting is the $12 million plan to build a 125-room Four Points by Sheraton hotel at the site of the former Congress Inn on Lincoln Highway East.

The site is next to the Lancaster Host and across from Dutch Wonderland.

Young said the township approved a special exception needed for the hotel's six-story height last summer, but has not received any development plans for the project.

The zoning officer said the sour economy may be causing some developers to delay their hotel plans.

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