Developer: Raze King George Inn but Salvage Stones for Wall

The developers of the King George Inn want to reuse some of the stones from the 257-year-old building's facade after they tear it down and replace it with a bank.

Under Hotel Hamilton LLC's revised plan, the stones would be used to build a wall around the bank and a plaque erected to recognize the former inn's historical significance.

But the proposal for the historic property, presented Wednesday night at the South Whitehall Zoning Hearing Board's meeting, may do little to satisfy those in the community who want to preserve the King George Inn. 

The new plan eliminates a 26,000-square-foot hotel, adds an 11,000-square-foot, 381-seat restaurant with a drive-through and outdoor seating and reduces the size of a drug store from 14,000 square feet to 11,000 square-feet.

Hotelier Haresh Joshi, who owns the nearby Howard Johnson Inn and Suites and the Comfort Suites on Hamilton Boulevard, appeared as an objector at the hearing. Neither Joshi nor his attorney Jackson Eaton would specify their objections, but Eaton said Joshi was "interested in some other hotels in the area."

The board, which took no action on the plan, continued the hearing to Oct. 3 when they will consider the developer's request for a favorable interpretation and relief from a non-conforming parking space setback that currently exists at the King George Inn.