By Camie Young Staff Writer

LAWRENCEVILLE -- The proposed seven-story hotel near the Gwinnett Civic Center passed the first round of the rezoning process, with a nod from the Gwinnett Municipal Planning Commission. According to Daniel Lemberg of Lemberg Architects in Conyers, the hotel could become a Homewood Suites facility, part of Hilton Corporation. But because of the odd shape of the parcel and the creek along its  boundary, Lemberg said fitting the hotel, parking and restaurant amenities on the land has proven difficult, and one of the commission's recommended conditions could kill the project. District 1 Planning Commissioner Lorraine Green, who lives in the Sugarloaf area, proposed a condition to provide right-of-way for a future transit stop. Lemberg said he was surprised by the addition and said if it took too much space, the project could be killed. "There's not much extra room there," Lemberg said. "It may make it undevelopable." The hotel, proposed for 3.86 acres on the corner of Satellite Boulevard and Sugarloaf Parkway by Try-La Inc., would contain at least 105 rooms at a cost of between $90 and $105 a night per room. Lemberg said in the emerging business and cultural area, he expects people to stay for three to five nights. As a Homewood Suites, the rooms would contain a kitchenette and full office capabilities. Camie Young can be reached via e-mail at camie.young@gwinnettdailypost.com.