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Planning commission recommends Regent University athletic complex with pedestrian‑connectivity conditions
Summary
Commission recommended approval of Regent University’s athletic and recreation project with conditions requiring study and improved pedestrian connectivity to existing shared‑use paths and neighboring housing; applicant agreed to a professional parking study and to work on continuous pedestrian connections where feasible.
The Planning Commission on Nov. 12 recommended approval of a major athletic and recreation project proposed by Regent University, urging stronger pedestrian connectivity and requiring additional studies as part of conditions.
Steve Bruce, executive vice president for finance and administration at Regent University, said the project would provide student recreation and opportunities for community use and that the university had worked with city staff and other stakeholders during project planning. The applicant team committed to a professional traffic operations analysis and—per staff recommendation—a parking study prepared and stamped by a professional engineer as part of site-plan review.
Commissioners focused significant attention on pedestrian access. Commissioner Camp and others pressed the applicant to provide a continuous walking connection from the southern retention-pond segment, along Regent University Drive, up to the northern parking area and to connect into the Centerville Turnpike shared-use path. Burns & McDonnell civil engineer Allison Monsour said the team had identified ways to “stub in” connections where the university controls property and that wetland, ditch and right-of-way constraints would govern specific alignments. The applicant agreed to revise conceptual plans and to demonstrate connectivity to the greatest degree possible within its ownership and physical constraints before City Council consideration.
Commissioners discussed possible conditions requiring submission of a revised plan showing connectivity to Centerville Turnpike and interior pedestrian routes. The motion to recommend approval included those connectivity conditions; the commission recorded a 9–0 vote with one abstention.
Staff will review the required parking study and the revised plan during site-plan review and prior to City Council consideration. The recommendation to City Council is advisory; final approvals and any right-of-way improvements would be subject to subsequent permitting and design review.
