Since the Excelsior City Council overturned the Heritage Preservation Commission's denial of plans for a hotel, four commission members have resigned or not sought reappointment.

The fourth Heritage Preservation Commission, Judy Mueller, officially resigned Monday in protest to the City Council's decision, which gave the hotel project the green light in February.

She had told the Star Tribune earlier this month that she had called in her resignation, but instead, she stayed on until submitting her official resignation last week. Mueller has argued the four-story boutique hotel would set a precedent for larger buildings and be out of touch with Excelsior's small-town character.

Supporters of the hotel counter that it would boost tourism and revenue and be a landmark for the lake.

The hotel plans are expected to go to the City Council later this summer or early fall for final approval. The hotel would be the first on Lake Minnetonka in decades.

KELLY SMITH

@kellystrib