The Crown Point planning panel voted to send a favorable recommendation to the city council for petition 25‑19 (special use for an indoor cheerleading facility at 1055 Trout Line Road) and to approve associated variances 25‑20 and 25‑22 to allow side‑yard and rear‑yard encroachments, subject to fully executed shared access, parking and utility agreements and incorporation of the submitted findings of fact.

Russ Posen of DVG Team, Inc., presented the proposals and said the proposed cheer facility would be on Lot 3 and that the building footprint is approximately 18,000 square feet. Chris Djanovich and Danielle Takis, representatives of the organization that would operate the franchise locally, said they expect drop‑off and pick‑up usage and emphasized the program’s competitive training focus. Takis identified herself as “the head varsity coach at the high school for the past 12 years.”

Petenitioner materials and staff presentations described the variances as reductions to side‑yard setbacks to allow a shared drive aisle and parking and a rear‑yard encroachment request (seeking a 10‑foot encroachment into a 20‑foot rear setback). Planning staff and the petitioner noted the industrial zoning allows more intrusive uses as-of-right; the petitioner argued the cheer and associated uses would be a less intrusive buffer to adjacent residences than typical permitted industrial uses.

Board members asked how large the facility must be to meet program needs; the petitioner said roughly 18,000 square feet is the preferred “sweet spot” to accommodate two tumble tracks and room for growth. The panel and staff discussed and required a shared access and parking agreement to be recorded with the development. A motion to send a favorable recommendation on petition 25‑19 and to approve the variances (25‑20 and 25‑22) with the shared access/parking/utility agreement and recorded findings of fact carried in roll call; the panel indicated the final decision will be by the city council on June 2.

The recommendation is not a final approval; the city council will make the final determination and the petitioner was told to be present there to answer questions.