Planning board to review zoning to allow indoor amusement uses in commercial and industrial districts

The Mount Vernon Planning Board was asked to review proposed zoning language that would add a special‑permit category for indoor amusement uses in commercial, landscaped industrial and industrial districts.

The council referred the text to the board for a report and recommendation; the change is intended to let large vacant spaces find new uses while preserving the planning board’s discretion to address site‑specific impacts. Staff told the board the most immediate candidate is the vacant Bed Bath & Beyond space on Sanford Boulevard and that a company called Fun City has expressed interest in a trampoline‑park‑style operation for the site.

Board members were told the ordinance does not set a fixed parking formula. Instead, parking and traffic impacts would be evaluated when an applicant submits a site plan, allowing the planning board and staff to tailor requirements to each use and building size. Staff said indoor amusements could range from small storefront virtual‑reality operations to large go‑kart or trampoline facilities and that the proposed text is intentionally broad to accommodate that range.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; the planning board’s next step is to review the proposed ordinance language and prepare its report to the city council before any specific site plan applications are considered.

The referral gives the planning board discretion on parking and other site‑plan controls; those elements will be resolved during future site‑plan reviews. The board and staff said they will share materials and answer questions when a site plan is filed.