Planning Commission approves Marriott hotel on Firestone Boulevard

Artist rendering of the Springhill Suites approved for Firestone Boulevard in Downey.

DOWNEY -- Downey Planning Commission unanimously approved plans for a project that will see the erection of a 140-room Marriott Springhill Suites hotel. 

The new hotel will be located on the south side of Firestone Boulevard between Lakewood Boulevard and Woodruff Avenue, sitting between Dunkin Donuts and Fallas Paredes. The Union Pacific Railroad Tracks sit behind the parcel of land. 

Project plans for the four-story building include a bar, buffet, pool, conference area / ballroom, and a small “market” for hotel guests. 

The project’s approval came at a price for those in the chamber in the form of over three hours in deliberation. 

The commission – and more specifically Chairman Jim Rodriguez – spent more than half of the extended amount of time in what might be considered nitpicking, deliberating with city staff and the project applicant over seemingly minute details. 

Parking was also a priority concern. 

Commissioner Steven Dominguez, Vice Chairperson Patrick Owens, and Chairman Rodriguez all took issue with what they felt to be an insufficiency in available parking, especially during periods where the hotel may see simultaneous near to full room occupancy and conference events. 

Commissioners Matias Flores and Miguel Duarte shied away from over complicating the issue for the hotel to a point where the project might be lost. 

The parking discussion eventually led to direction from City Attorney Yvette M. Abich Garcia, who explained to the Commission that as long as the applicant met the official requirement – which they did – there would be no legal standing to require more parking spaces without evidence of an issue.