Planning commission recommends approval of Precision Athletics site plan for Lots 3 and 4

The Kearney Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of a site plan for Precision Athletics, a proposed 25,200-square-foot indoor sports training facility at 815 Premier Drive that would occupy Lots 3 and 4 of the Innovation Fourth Plat.

Planning staff presented the proposal and recommended approval with conditions. "Staff recommends approval of the Lots 3 to 4 Innovation Fourth Plat site plan with the following conditions," planning staff said during the presentation, listing requirements that included submission of a minor-subdivision application to combine Lots 3 and 4, submission of building and engineering plans, a DNR land-disturbance permit for grading over one acre, and installation of a Kearney Fire District key box.

The site plan shows three tenants: the indoor sports training facility and two health/wellness tenants (listed in the packet as Precision Chiropractic and Regiom Aesthetics and Wellness). The building elevations call for light gray/tan metal siding with at least 25% stone veneer along the frontage to meet Innovation Fourth Plat covenants and design requirements. Access will be from Premier Drive; city sewer and water are available and the Innovation development has a regional detention basin, so no on-site detention is proposed.

Parking and access were a focus of the staff presentation. The applicant proposed 58 parking spaces, including three ADA spaces, while a traffic-engineering report included in the meeting packet estimated a demand of 38 spaces for the proposed uses. Staff also noted required sign permits, a photometric study for lighting that must use down-shielded fixtures, and a rear trash enclosure.

During brief questioning, a commissioner asked whether the facility would host tournaments. An applicant representative said tournaments were not the current intention and that the facility is intended primarily for training and camps for teams that lack permanent indoor space. The chair raised a concern about evening parking-lot lighting; staff pointed to the photometric study and the requirement for shielded fixtures.

A commissioner moved that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommend approval of the Innovation Fourth Plat site plan for Lots 3 and 4 with the staff-recommended conditions. After members saying "Aye," the presiding officer declared the motion carried. The commission noted one member was absent (Sean Maguire); the motion passed with the members present.

Next steps include the minor-subdivision filing to consolidate Lots 3 and 4 and the applicant's submission of required permits and construction drawings before building permits will be issued.