Council approves Slick City indoor recreation center at East Ridge Business Center

The Woodbury City Council voted unanimously on March 12 to approve a conditional use permit for Slick City, an indoor commercial recreation park that will occupy 50,000 square feet in the East Ridge Business Center at 587 Settlers Ridge Parkway.

Mike Kelly, the applicant, told the council he and his wife chose Woodbury for the second Minnesota location of the Slick City franchise after starting a first site in Maple Grove. “We’re thrilled to come out here to Woodbury, to build this development,” Kelly said.

City staff recommended approval with a condition capping commercial recreation uses at 50,000 square feet in that suite (about 28 percent of the building) to preserve a mix of tenants. Staff said the building already has permitted parking and that the staff-set parking ratio for the Slick City use is one stall per 647 square feet (about 77 customer stalls); staff described the use as off-peak relative to the building’s daytime contractor tenant.

Soren Shaw, the Planning Commission representative, said the commission unanimously recommended approval (7–0) after discussing customer parking, disability parking provisions, and the proposed capacity cap.

Council members discussed traffic patterns around the Settlers Ridge area, noting nearby church services on Saturday evenings and other uses such as the Goddard School under construction. Kelly said the applicant expects the peak business period to be Friday evening through Sunday evening; he told the council he is aiming to open the Woodbury site by year-end once lease and equipment ordering are complete.

Council action adopted a resolution (No. 25-49) making findings and approving the conditional use permit subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. The roll call vote recorded Councilmember Santini, Councilmember Stafford, Councilmember Wilson, Councilmember Morris and Mayor Burt voting aye.