The Twin Falls City Council unanimously agreed Monday to allow a proposed Courtyard by Marriott Hotel near the Canyon Rim to receive an exemption to be built higher than zoning rules allow.

Summit Hospitality V is building the 118-room hotel in the 1800 block of Harrison Street North, which is immediately north of a planned Hilton Garden Inn. The Marriott's property barely crosses into Canyon Rim Overlay zoning - where building is more difficult - but the actual hotel will not.

The company, which is planning a 60-foot-high building, needed City Council approval to exceed the 35-foot limit.

A spokesman for the hotel told the council the height was needed to stay competitive in Twin Falls. The council recently granted extra building height to two nearby hotels: the Hilton will be 60 feet, 4 inches and the AmeriTel Inn will be 58 feet.

Councilman Greg Lanting unsuccessfully tried to prohibit the Marriott from having lighting around the top of the building. Council members debated whether the hotel - and any light - will disturb residents with homes near the rim.

In related news, the City Council tabled a vote on whether to accept a new vehicle and trailer for the city's bomb squad.

After the meeting, Mayor Lance Clow said the city was told by Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security that the item was not properly put out for bid.

Clow said payment for the two items will be reimbursed to the city by the IBHS after the city does a formal bidding process - a notion that conflicted with a staff report prepared by police that stated the state bought the trailer and vehicle outright for $55,000.

"We we're told originally that the state basically buys it, but apparently it's not that way so we had to go back through the bidding process," Clow said.

Police did not include bids in the staff report but said "quotes" were received from local dealerships, and Rob Green Auto Group can provide the pickup and trailer together.

Lance said he was told just before Monday's meeting.

Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 208-735-3204 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com