SPANISH FORT — The city is a little closer to having another major hotel.

The Planning Commission gave its approval Monday night to rezone an area in the Eastern Shore Centre complex that would allow developers to construct a new six-story hotel.

The 80- to 120-room hotel that is likened to a Hyatt Hotel or a subsidiary of the chain would be constructed adjacent to Dillards on Eastern Shore Boulevard.

The project was met with some concerns toward parking and location of the proposed project, at the commission’s work session earlier this month. However, the commission gave developers initial approval, which will go to the City Council for review.

Spanish Fort, which currently does not have a hotel within its boundaries, could have three by the fall of 2008. Two other hotel projects are included in the development of the Spanish Fort Town Center.

Another development on the Causeway is back to square one after developers withdrew their request from consideration by the commission.

Bartlett Landscaping, a Fairhope company had requested approval to place a temporary office building on a site near the former location of The Shoulder, an alcohol and drug recovery center.

Bartlett in April convinced the city to beautify the Causeway by creating a landscaped area that would be used to advertise the company’s expertise in landscaping design.

The company plans to construct a golf putting green, chipping green and water feature.

Earlier this month, Bartlett returned to the Planning Commission to request approval of placing a temporary office on the site. The request was met with opposition from every commissioner.

The most vocal was Commissioner J.R. Smith, who said, “I don’t like the temporary idea.”

Smith questioned the company’s plans for dealing with a hurricane that could produce flooding in the area.

“Nobody has come up with a plan for putting a building at ground level on the Causeway,” Smith said. “When would it have to be moved? If it is not moved, would there be penalties, and if so, what would the penalty be?”

Those questions indicated that commissioners would deny Bartlett’s request.

The company withdrew the request prior to Monday night’s meeting and apparently will now revert back to its initial plan of developing the landscape design showcase but without a temporary office.