At the Dec. 22 meeting the Walker City Commission approved the first reading of ordinance 25-679, which would amend section 5.03 of the city zoning code to allow commercial recreation as a special land use in I-1 and I-2 industrial districts.

Planning Director Paula told the commission the Planning Commission reviewed the request at its Dec. 3 meeting and recommended the change to allow adaptive reuse of large industrial buildings for indoor recreation uses that need high ceilings and open floorplates. “So the request came in. Went before the planning commission. ... There was a public hearing when we heard some support,” Paula said, summarizing the Planning Commission’s deliberations and noting several supportive comments at that meeting.

Paula and other commissioners cited examples of successful conversions of industrial buildings to recreational uses and said the special-land-use classification would require each proposal to return to the Planning Commission for site-specific review, including traffic, safety and site access. The Planning Commission recommended extending the allowance to I-2 and IPUD properties so that planned-unit developments and a broader set of industrial properties could be considered.

Commissioners expressed general support for the concept as a way to reduce vacancies and attract youth and family-oriented uses. The ordinance passed its first reading by motion; further public hearings or a second reading will be required to adopt the text as code.

The discussion identified the applicant for the underlying request as Aaron Woma, described in the Planning Commission record as a coach seeking a large indoor facility for all-star cheer and similar activities. The record noted the Planning Commission heard five or six supporters at its hearing.

Next steps: the ordinance is at first reading; if the commission schedules a second reading and public hearing, the commission may adopt or amend the ordinance following that process.