Mar. 21, 2003 --TWIN FALLS, Idaho -- Ask Idaho leaders where the economy is healthy right now, and you'll consistently hear Twin Falls among the answers, says the regional manager for a hotel operator. 

"Twin Falls has enjoyed some pretty exceptional growth over the last five years. It's arguable that that's the main point of growth in the entire state," said John Sanders, regional manager of operations for The Summit Group Inc. 

The Sioux Falls, S.D.-based firm aims to benefit from Twin Falls' vigor. 

Summit Group plans to build a 75-room hotel on the last undeveloped corner of Pole Line Road and Fillmore Street. Its application for a special-use permit is slated for a public hearing Tuesday before the city's planning and zoning commission. 

"We'd like to start building in July and open next April," Sanders said. 

The public meeting starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the new council chambers at 305 Third Ave. E. Several other zoning requests are on the public-hearing agenda, too. 

The proposed hotel site -- never yet built on -- was farmland before the commercial development of surrounding property, city planning director LaMar Orton said. The site is zoned for commercial use, as part of a planned-unit development, and Summit Group holds a contract to purchase the property. 

The city's zoning staff said a hotel would increase traffic at the Pole Line-Fillmore intersection -- but less than a large commercial business would on the same site. The proposed hotel appears to exceed the zoning district's maximum height of 35 feet, but the City Council could approve additional height, zoning staff said. 

Summit Group said its hotel would be compatible with surrounding businesses, which include big-box retailers, a convenience store, restaurants and other commercial operations. 

The South Dakota company, which develops hotel properties then owns and operates the hotels, is no stranger to Twin Falls. Summit Group already has six hotels across southern Idaho, including the Holiday Inn Express and the Comfort Inn in Twin Falls, Sanders said. 

More about the company is available online at www.thesummitgroupinc.com. The Web site says Summit Group has over $45 million in private equity raised and 47 hotels opened or acquired. 

Summit Group will retain ownership of the new Twin Falls hotel, Sanders said. It is negotiating with Hilton Hotels Corp. to use the corporation's Hampton Inn & Suites franchise, but it isn't yet certain the property will bear the Hampton name. Hilton must do a final site inspection and approve the hotel drawings. 

"And that's all in process right now," he said. 

Sanders counts only five national hotel chains operating in Twin Falls. Other chains here are regional. 

"So my company's feeling is there's an opportunity to have another nationally branded name in Twin Falls," he said. 

Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce leaders have successfully spread the word that the city has plenty for travelers to see and do, an incredible canyon and abundant restaurant and hotel choices, Sanders said. 

The result? 

"The summer tourist business has picked up consistently year after year," he said. 

PROPOSAL DETAILS: The Summit Group Inc. hopes to start building a new Twin Falls hotel this summer. Here are details of the company's proposed facility: 

--Location: Southeast corner of Pole Line Road and Fillmore Street, on about one acre. 

--Size: Three stories, with 75 guest rooms. 

--Amenities: Swimming pool, spa, exercise room and meeting and banquet space. But the hotel will be "limited-amenity" -- that means no lounge, no full-service restaurant and no bell staff. 

--Meeting space: About 3,000 square feet which can function as a single room or be divided into three. 

--Employment: 20 people, both full- and part-time. 

--Brand: Summit Group is negotiating with Hilton Hotels Corp. to use the Hampton Inn & Suites franchise for the planned hotel. 

Sources: Summit Group's special-use permit application filed with City Hall; John Sanders, regional manager of operations. 

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(c) 2003, The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.