Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/22/2025

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Regular Planning Commission Meeting Date: 05/22/2025 Primary Strategic Plan Initiative: Promote economic growth and development. Information Title: PUBLIC HEARING: In the Game MN LLC. - Conditional Use Permit for Commercial Indoor Recreation at 8500 Bunker Lake Blvd. NW, Suite 100 Purpose/Background: Building In The Game MN Inc. has submitted a land use application for an indoor pickleball and golf simulator business at 8500 Bunker Lake Boulevard, Suite 100 (the building is also known as BLIP-5). This type of business is classified as "commercial indoor recreation" and is a conditional use in the I-1 zoning district. The business would occupy 15,580 square feet on the building's north end. It would feature five pickleball courts and three golf simulator bays. The building shows an area labeled "lounge." It is not a restaurant/bar, but rather a place customers can wait before playing. The business will have vending machines and customers are welcome to bring in their own food. Parking The applicant has put together a parking justification report outlining the needed parking. There is no defined parking standard for this type of use in the Zoning Code, therefore a report is required. The applicant's analysis includes the people in play, people waiting, and staff. When the BLIP-5 building was constructed last year, it was designed with additional parking spaces on that side of the building and in the rear, though the spaces in the rear are unlikely to be needed for this use. Staff agrees with the applicant's analysis and that parking on site will be sufficient. Occupancy The space is being designed for the number of occupants that are reflected in the parking analysis. Should the applicant want to have larger spectator events or tournaments that would bring in more people, changes to the building, mainly more exits and restrooms, would need to be installed to be in conformance with the Building Code. Future Expansion The plans give a general indication of a future expansion, though courts and bays are not laid out. If the expansion is limited to the 5,500-sqft area "notched" in the floor plan, then staff will review the expansion administratively through building permits. It is likely that it would only accommodate one or two courts and have minimal site impacts. If the future expansion is larger, an amendment to the CUP will be required to make sure the increased use can be accommodated on the site. Notification: Staff sent mailed notices to property owners within 350 feet of the site. A legal notice was placed in the May 9 Anoka Union Hearld Newspaper. A "proposed development" sign was placed on the property. Time Frame/Observations/Alternatives: