City planning staff presented a proposed zoning text amendment to allow outdoor recreation facilities in the Industrial Light (IL) district by conditional use permit, subject to three performance standards: no more than 25% of the lot area may be used for outdoor recreation, total land disturbance limited to 2,500 square feet, and any CUP term limited to two years.
Staff explained the IL district is a light‑intensity industrial zone that already allows many nonindustrial uses by right (restaurants, fitness facilities, convenience stores) and that the indoor recreation facility use is allowed by right; the amendment would permit outdoor facilities such as athletic fields or miniature golf with a CUP so the city can balance industrial land preservation with flexible reuse on appropriate sites. Economic development staff signaled support for the amendment after further discussion, according to the presentation.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions; no formal action was recorded in the staff presentation but staff said the amendment responds to a request to allow leasing of a small field for a soccer league in a Chelsea District property currently zoned IL. Staff framed the performance standards as a way to allow limited outdoor recreation on certain sites while preserving industrial land for its intended purpose.