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Planning board backs Candy Wonderland’s after‑the‑fact conditional use for indoor children’s play
Summary
The Delray Beach Planning & Zoning Board voted 5‑1 to recommend that the City Commission approve a conditional‑use application that legalizes Candy Wonderland, a 2,423‑square‑foot indoor children’s playground at 14406 S. Military Trail after it opened without a conditional‑use approval.
The Delray Beach Planning and Zoning Board voted 5‑1 on Jan. 27 to recommend that the City Commission approve a conditional‑use request that would legalize Candy Wonderland, a 2,423‑square‑foot indoor children’s play area in the Shops of Delray shopping center at 14406 South Military Trail.
The recommendation follows staff findings that the proposed recreational establishment meets the city’s Land Development Regulations (LDRs) and comprehensive‑plan criteria, and that the plaza provides 118 parking spaces versus the 100 spaces required under the shopping‑center parking ratio. Board members approved the motion to recommend approval after hearing presentations from city planning staff and the applicant’s representatives and a short public exchange; Mitch Katz cast the lone “no” vote in roll call.
The applicant, represented by attorney Rebecca Zissel of Saks Sax Kaplin, said the business opened in 2023 believing the use qualified as a permitted retail/zoning certificate and that staff only later determined it should have come before the board as a conditional use. Zissel told members the center currently provides 118 parking spaces, which she said exceeds the 100 spaces that would be required under the shopping‑center parking ratio. "If you look at it today, 100 spaces would be required, and then there are 118 spaces," Zissel said during her presentation.
Senior planner Grisel Rodriguez summarized the city’s review. Staff reported that the proposed hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday–Sunday; that the operator does not plan outdoor activities or on‑site food preparation; and that building and fire reviewers will complete life‑safety review as part of the building‑permit process after zoning approval. Board members asked about parking, drop‑off procedures and whether parents must remain on site; owner Randy Williams said parents are required to stay with children during visits.
Attorney Michael Weiner, speaking for the applicant during public comment, asked the board to continue the item if a member absent for the presentation planned to vote against it; the board declined that request and proceeded to vote. During discussion several members said they were sympathetic to a small local business operating neighborhood‑oriented hours and that the use likely generates lower trip counts than other uses allowed by right in the plaza.
Action: The board moved to recommend approval of a conditional‑use request for Candy Wonderland LLC to operate a children’s indoor playground at 14406 S. Military Trail, finding the request consistent with the LDR and comprehensive plan. Motion by Judy Malika; second by Jeffrey Meiselman. Roll call: Mitch Katz, No; Deidre Strawn, Yes; Allison Thomas, Yes; Jeffrey Meiselman, Yes; Judy Malika, Yes; Gregory Snyder, Yes. Outcome: recommended to City Commission (5 Yes, 1 No).
The recommendation now goes to the Delray Beach City Commission for final action. The zoning staff noted that the applicant will need to obtain the necessary building permits and fire inspections to legalize the site work and interior configuration after zoning approvals are final.
