Pending approval by the Town of Big Flats, a Philadelphia area developer is going to build two new hotels on Colonial Drive. Currently, four hotels already sit along that stretch of road. As our Bill Mich tells us, county officials are not worried about overcrowding because there is a strong need for hotels and housing in the Twin Tiers.

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BIG FLATS, N.Y. -- Just behind the Arnot Mall, there are already four places to choose from to spend the night. But soon, Manir Properties, a Philadelphia area developer, plans to add two new hotels. One for extended stay and the second for short term visits, both with more than 120 rooms.

There is some concern about saturating the market, but some officials believe that won't happen.

"It's actually a perfect spot. And one of the things I learned many, many years ago about development, and it applies here, a shoe store on the street may not make it, but if they put another shoe store across the street, they'll both get rich," said Kevin Keeley, the President of the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce.

Another reason the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce President believes these hotels will prosper is because of the constant growth in the region. Tourism in the wine country continues to bring thousands to the area and the need for housing from gas workers in Pennsylvania continues to rise.

"What the drilling people in the Northern Tier have realized is that there is terrific access for their drilling sites from Chemung County, from the Southern Tier, because of Interstate 86 and because of the airport," Keeley said.

As far as on Colonial Drive itself where the hotels will be located, county officials have discussed some potential setbacks to the project.

"I think maybe the biggest uncertainties or concerns relate to traffic management. What does this do to the existing road network at that location. There may be some drainage concerns as well," said Randy Olthof, the Chemung County Planning Commissioner.

But nothing big enough to stop the Chemung County Planning Board from giving their approval to the site plan on Wednesday. Now, the developer just needs final approval from the Town of Big Flats before it can break ground in the spring.