Planning commission delays decision on volleyball facility parking variance after neighbor complaints

Cherokee County planning commissioners postponed action on a variance request that would reduce the minimum required parking for a volleyball training facility at 523 and 525 Industrial Drive.

The request, for case 2503013, would lower the ordinance-required minimum from 67 spaces to 18 for a 13,300-square-foot tenant suite occupied by 575 Volleyball. Planning staff said the change of use from prior automotive and personal service tenants triggered the parking requirement increase under Article 12, Sections 12.1 and 12.2 of the zoning ordinance. Staff noted the property currently shows 18 marked spaces on the surveyed lot and that the applicant says 55 spaces are available when counting adjacent parcels they own and a neighboring parcel at 521 Industrial Drive.

Courtney Kimura, co-owner of 575 Volleyball and co-owner of the buildings at 523–525 Industrial Drive, told the commission the business operates primarily during late afternoons and evenings and that the company has invested in renovations including new lighting, HVAC, doors and cameras. Kimura said the business provides youth programs and scholarships and that she had taken steps to reduce parking conflicts with neighboring properties.

Ramsey Cancel, owner of 520 Industrial Drive across the street, opposed the application. Cancel described recurring overflow parking by parents at practice and tournaments that he said blocks driveways and interferes with semi-truck access for his fully leased building. He said property management exchanges and posted warnings had not fully resolved the problem in prior months.

Commission discussion centered on the volume and management of overflow parking, safety concerns for large vehicles on Industrial Drive, and the absence of a robust plan for tournament days. Several commissioners noted the business already operates and has completed interior work, which complicated the commission's evaluation of mitigation options. Commissioner Tressler moved to postpone the decision to the April meeting and asked the applicant to return with a plan projecting parking needs at full capacity (tournament days) and a strategy for accommodating that load. The motion to postpone passed 4–1, with Mr. Rexdale voting against postponement.

The commission recorded that staff should receive any parking-management documentation from the applicant prior to the April 10 meeting so it can be included in staff materials.

The postponed request will return to the commission on April 10.