Commission approves 24/7 GolfEnvy indoor‑simulator conditional use at Windward Plaza with no‑alcohol restriction

The Alpharetta Planning Commission on Nov. 6 approved a conditional use (CU‑25‑16) for GolfEnvy, a membership‑based indoor golf simulator facility proposed in two adjoining suites (Q and R) at 3070 Windward Plaza, and added a condition prohibiting alcohol or other recreational substances on the premises. The commission forwarded the application to City Council for final action on Nov. 17.

City planning staff explained the business model and operational plan: GolfEnvy proposes a 3,278‑square‑foot indoor golf simulator facility that will operate with a membership model and smartphone‑based access control. Staff reported regular staffed hours of roughly Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m., with variable weekend hours and estimated that overnight users would represent roughly 5–10% of total users. Staff’s traffic estimate in the record shows a small trip generation (staff reported approximately 2 AM peak‑hour trips and 5 PM peak‑hour trips as the estimated peaks in their memo). The applicant submitted a citizen‑participant report showing no opposition at the neighborhood meeting. Staff recommended approval subject to four conditions narrowly limiting the conditional use to GolfEnvy and to indoor golf simulator operations.

Commissioners raised concerns about 24/7, unstaffed access, medical or security incidents after hours, surveillance and whether the trend of 24/7 access needs broader code guidance. Applicant Kyle Romeo (GolfEnvy) said the business uses a smartphone app for access and scheduling, has a membership and scheduling system (members reserve a bay for one to one‑and‑a‑half hours), and plans to install interior and exterior cameras that will be actively monitored. Romeo said membership fees and operational scale (four bays in this space) mean the operator anticipates a manageable membership base and that food or alcohol service is not part of the proposed use.

Following discussion, a commissioner proposed adding a condition to the staff approval specifying “no alcohol or any other recreational substances permitted on premises.” The motion to approve the conditional use with that added condition was seconded and carried. The item will be forwarded to City Council on Nov. 17 for final action.

Clarifying details: facility size reported as 3,278 sq ft; franchise membership model with app‑based access; applicant estimated they can support 30–35 members per bay on their roster and a capacity to add a bay later; proposed site has four bays; applicant cited other installations in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Arizona and Florida and characterized this as the first in Georgia.

Speakers quoted: “Our membership model … we request the 24/7 conditional use permit… because… first responders and medical professionals… may get off at odd hours and they would love to work on their game,” applicant Kyle Romeo said. Planning staff noted, “There is no public comment” at the citizen meeting and recommended approval subject to conditions.

Outcome: Planning Commission approved conditional use CU‑25‑16 with an additional condition banning alcohol and other recreational substances on site; item forwarded to City Council for review on Nov. 17.