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Board clears special permit for indoor community recreation center in planned industrial area
Summary
The Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a special permit for a roughly 99,000-square-foot indoor community recreation center in the planned industrial area adjacent to Westfield Avenue, citing alignment with the city’s comprehensive plan and nearby sports facilities; the board and staff discussed parking and accessibility.
The Waterloo Board of Adjustment on April 22 approved a special permit to allow construction of an indoor community recreation center in the planned industrial area adjacent to Westfield Avenue.
Planning staff told the board the proposed building would be about 99,169 square feet and would be configured for eight basketball courts (convertible to 16 volleyball courts) plus an outdoor "double mini pitch" plaza. The site is near the TechWorks campus, the Marriott hotel and the John Deere Museum; staff said the location supports the city’s objective to develop a sports and events district.
Staff reported an occupancy load of 2,853 people, which — under zoning parking formulas — would require 714 parking stalls. The site plan proposes 281 stalls on site, eight of which are accessible stalls; staff said there are roughly 1,045 public parking stalls in nearby lots and roughly 655 private stalls on the TechWorks campus and adjacent properties that could be used during large events, though there are no formal parking agreements in place.
Eric Schrader of planning staff told the board, “So, no, there are no specific, parking agreements in place,” and explained why staff believes available nearby parking and shared-use patterns can meet demand for tournaments. Darren Gillette of Peters Construction, representing the applicant, said the design team can add additional accessible stalls if needed: “We can easily get another 8 in that parking lot just the way it is without redesigning it.”
Board members discussed accessibility, event timing, and stormwater-review requirements. Staff and the technical review committee said engineered drainage and stormwater plans must be submitted and approved before building permits are issued. The board voted unanimously to approve the special permit with standard site-plan conditions requiring the final plan to meet applicable codes (parking, landscaping, screening, drainage) and any further modifications through the site-plan amendment process.
Staff noted the planning and zoning commission recommended the special permit unanimously on April 8, 2025. The applicant will proceed to technical review and permitting.
