The zoning change would increase the allowable height from 60 feet. Hammons' request is scheduled for its final reading this week. At first, Hammons had wanted a 19-story hotel, but that was whittled down in negotiations with the city. Hammons officials said in May that construction would start early next year, with delivery coming in 2004. Officials of the Springfield, MO-based hotel developer could not be reached for an update.

The final reading includes one other change recommended by city staff: close a street on the project's west side because it leads to a residential neighborhood, Glen Rhoades of the city tells GlobeSt.com.

The Embassy Suites convention hotel is slated for a site on Kucera Co.'s 110-acre Austin Airport Centre development situated across Texas 71 from the airport. In May, Hammons said the plan for a 19-story hotel called for 250 to 300 suites and 25,000 sf to 30,000 sf of meeting space.