Planning commission recommends approval for 19,500‑sq‑ft fitness center at Washington Fields Road

The Washington City Planning Commission voted unanimously June 18 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for a new two-story commercial building proposed at the intersection of Washington Fields Road and Hayfield Drive, with the applicant proposing a Performance Fitness tenant.

Staff reported the building is approximately 19,500 square feet, meets C‑1 setbacks and proposes exterior materials including stucco, metal paneling and wood accents. Because the site borders an A‑20 zone, staff noted a six‑foot privacy fence is required along the southern/eastern boundary and the plan shows a privacy wall to meet site distance requirements and to match adjacent development. The applicant proposed one parking space per 238 square feet of building area; staff noted an absence of a specific city standard for fitness centers and compared the proposal to local Performance Fitness locations, which have ranged from one space per 200 to one space per 293 square feet.

The applicant’s project manager, Chris Patton, attended the hearing and offered to answer questions. Commissioners discussed parking assumptions and the fence requirement; staff confirmed the privacy fence requirement was noted on the plans and captured in staff conditions. Commissioner Davis moved to recommend approval of C‑25‑05 in conformance with staff findings and conditions; Commissioner Tupelo seconded. Voting recorded Anderson — aye; Mitchell — aye; Tupelo — aye; Davis — aye; Bullock — aye. The recommendation will be forwarded to city council.

Staff said the proposal includes a landscape plan and that proposed materials and setbacks satisfy code for the C‑1 zone; staff recommended the item go to council with a recommendation for approval. The motion approved the staff findings and conditions, and no additional conditions were added by the commission.