Dixon council to raise height restrictions for new hotel developments

Local developers are planning to build a Hilton Tru east of the Super 8 in Dixon.

DIXON — The city is working on raising its building height restrictions to accommodate future hotel projects in the Interstate 88 corridor.

City Building Official Tim Shipman said current restrictions in that area are three stories or 35 feet, and that’s not going to work for future development in the Gateway Project.

The Gateway project is a major development on 27 acres along South Galena Avenue across from Walmart between Keul and Bloody Gulch roads in Dixon. The project plans to include the construction of a dozen buildings, including a hotel, restaurant, gas station and retail space.

Height restrictions are six stories or 65 feet in the downtown business district, but not in certain other parts of town, Mayor Li Arellano Jr. said. The hotel developer would need higher than three stories for the project to be financially viable, he said.

“To be worth building in Dixon, they would need more than that limit,” he said.

Shipman said the change would specify that hotels could be up to six stories, and it would be an allowed use, meaning the developer wouldn’t need a special use permit for a structure higher than three stories.

The ordinance amendment has to go before the Plan Commission, and the group’s recommendation will likely come back to the council for a vote next month.

Two new hotels are on the horizon for the city with the unannounced Gateway development as well as a Hilton near the Super 8. Last year, Dixon Super 8 owners Magan Patel and Nitin Patel joined together with Al Hill, who developed and co-owns the Quality Inn, to build a new 82-room Hilton Tru just east of the Super 8.


Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers joined Sauk Valley Media in 2016 covering local government in Dixon and Lee County.