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Greene County approves zoning change to classify health and fitness centers as by‑right in business districts
Summary
Supervisors unanimously approved OR‑25‑003 to update the zoning ordinance definition of indoor recreation, creating a new definition for "health and fitness centers" that are allowed by‑right in business districts; larger indoor venues will remain subject to special‑use permitting.
The Greene County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve OR‑25‑003, an amendment to Article 22 of the county zoning ordinance that revises the definition of indoor recreation and creates a new, modern definition for "health and fitness centers." The change removes small gyms from the special‑use permit requirement and allows them by right in commercial zoning districts.
Why it matters: Planning staff and the planning commission said the older definition treated small gyms as higher‑impact uses that required special‑use review. Staff told the board that the scale and impacts of a typical fitness center are similar to other retail uses and therefore belong on the list of by‑right business activities in the B‑1, B‑2, B‑3, PUD, TFRD and industrial districts. Large indoor venues such as arenas, music venues and similar uses will remain subject to the special‑use permit process.
Planning staff summarized the change to board members and noted it had been vetted by the planning commission, which recommended approval by a 5‑0 vote. The staff presentation explained that under the previous language, an applicant seeking to open a gym filtered into a special‑use process even when the proposed scale resembled an ordinary retail tenant.
A board member moved to approve OR‑25‑003 "in accordance with the Greene County zoning ordinance, public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice" and the motion was seconded. A roll‑call vote followed; the board recorded affirmative votes from each member in attendance and the ordinance was adopted.
Ending: The ordinance takes effect as part of the county’s zoning code amendments and will allow prospective health and fitness centers to use the by‑right permitting pathway in the enumerated business and industrial districts.
