A Boutique Hotel For St. Paul's Summit Ave.?

Summit Avenue may soon get more touristy. The St. Paul Planning Commission approved a proposal last week to convert a century-old mansion into a boutique hotel.
 
Developer John Rupp projected a 10-room boutique-style hotel at the 344 Summit Avenue Watson Davidson mansion. The commission approved the plan by a 14-3 vote, which is subject to numerous restrictions, such as a maximum of three off-street parking spaces. Rupp’s proposal included a more than 18,000-square-foot luxury hotel to be restored, decorated and antique-furnished. Guests would have access to the nearby University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, which would also serve as the hotel’s front desk.
 
The mansion was built in 1912 and was occupied by the College of Visual Arts, which closed in June 2013 after 89 years.
 
The Ramsey Hill Association planned a meeting for nearby property owners to voice their opinions in June. According to a site created around the proposal, neighbors posed questions about parking and commercial activities surrounding the neighborhood.
 
The planning commission has 10 days to appeal their decision pertaining to the proposal. If the decision is not appealed it will go to the St. Paul City Council for approval.