Council approves site plan amendment for Windsor Fitness after material‑change review

The Johnston City Council voted to approve a site plan amendment for Windsor Fitness at 8700 Thomas Avenue (Resolution No. 25‑197) after staff said the proposed facade material changes exceeded the 5% threshold that would allow an administrative approval by the zoning administrator.

Staff explained the amendment reduces the percentage of Class A materials on some elevations and replaces portions of brick with fiber‑cement panels (Class B materials). “On the south elevation, the primary change where you see that reduction in class a ... most of these sections here ... were brick on the approved renderings, and now it's fiber cement panels,” a staff presenter said, but added all proposed changes still meet the city's minimum material requirements.

An architect on the project, Kurt Ingleard of Studio Melee, attended and answered questions about dimensions and layout. Council members asked about the building's orientation, the relationship to adjacent parking and fire lane, and about signage: a staff member noted the plans show a name referencing “CrossFit Merle Hay,” and that naming is an owner decision. The architect said the owner has another gym and the name alignment could reflect that business strategy.

The council approved Resolution No. 25‑197 on a roll call vote with all voting members recorded as yes. Staff noted signage and exact operating names would follow through the permitting process and that the site plan changes are still consistent with applicable code standards.