FOLEY — The latest hotel planned for Foley took a step forward Tuesday when city council approved the transfer of the property to the developer.

In a special-called meeting, council voted to sell the 2.19-acre parcel next to the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market. Council scheduled the special meeting to meet a deadline for signing the transfer of the property.

Developers plan to build a four-story Cobblestone hotel with 73 rooms. The plan calls for building a hotel at the northeast corner of Miflin Road/Baldwin County 20 and Koniar Way.

Another hotel, the Fairfield Inn with 107 units, is also under construction.

When both hotels are open, the combined capacity will increase the number of hotel rooms in Foley by almost 20%.

Foley Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the Cobblestone project in April.

Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich was out of town Tuesday during the council meeting. In an earlier statement, he said the hotel, located near the growing commercial area and city recreation complex, will be a benefit for economic growth and sports tourism.

“They are very excited about it. We need more lodging for our sports tourism and we  just need newer and more hotels,” Hellmich said.

The company will work with the city to improve parking, lighting and sidewalks that can be used by both hotel guests and visitors to the Farmers and Fishermens Market.

Cobblestone is based in Wisconsin and has about 170 hotels in operation or under construction. The company is also building a new hotel in Cullman.

While the company name is Cobblestone Hotels and Suites, most of the 73 units in the Foley facility will be standard hotel rooms with a few suites.

The 40,487-square-foot building will also include a breakfast area-bar, an outdoor pool and an outdoor seating area-patio.