Board approves special exception for children's indoor playground at 8000 Broadway

The Town of Maryville Board of Zoning Appeals on Oct. 25 approved a special-exception permit to allow a children's indoor playground and trampoline park at 8000 Broadway, a 32,000-square-foot building formerly occupied by Ethan Allen.

The petitioner, Ead Ibrahim, identified himself as the property owner; his brother, Moe Ibrahim, spoke for the applicant, 8000 Broadway LLC. Moe Ibrahim described the proposal as a trampoline-park-style indoor playground targeting young children and families and said the project will include safety measures, live video monitoring and on-site security.

"We are proposing a special use permit that we are asking to open and operate a trampoline park at that location," Moe Ibrahim said. He said the facility will use "state of the art materials" and equipment that "have been tested actually, for safety measures." He added the business will offer a 15–20% discount for residents with a Maryville ID and will host discounted events for local schools and children's organizations.

Planning staff summarized the proposal: renovation of a 32,000-square-foot commercial building with more than $1,500,000 in private investment, full replacement and restriping of the asphalt parking lot, new lighting, and 23 additional parking spaces at the rear of the property. Staff said the petitioner met with the ward councilmember and the plan commission; staff did not report unresolved objections.

Board members asked for operational details. The petitioner said weekday staffing would be about eight to 10 employees and weekends 12 to 15, hours of operation would be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and a single security officer will be on site during operating hours supported by a live video (LVT) monitoring system. Moe Ibrahim said the petitioner has discussed hiring off‑duty police officers to work events and would give the Maryville Police Department access to camera feeds if desired.

The board approved the special exception by roll call. Recorded votes in favor included Jeff Smyth, Christopher Mellon, Pete Gibb, William Byers and Tim Fortier. The board attached conditions including the petitioner-only limitation for this location and a requirement that a law-enforcement officer or a security plan acceptable to the police department be in place for operations.

The petitioner said construction and parking-lot rehabilitation will begin after permits are issued; the project will be privately funded. The board's approval applies only to this petitioner, this location and the use described.