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Dallas council reviews proposal to allow gyms in industrial zone
Summary
City planning staff presented a proposed amendment to allow commercial indoor recreation (gyms) in Dallas's single industrial zone after a growing competitive cheer gym sought a larger, high-ceiling space; council gave general support and directed staff to take the draft to the planning commission.
City planning staff on Monday presented a draft development-code amendment that would allow commercial indoor recreation — defined as gyms, gymnasiums and athletic training facilities — in the city's single industrial zone.
Tyler, the staff presenter, said the proposal was prompted after a local competitive cheer gym sought a larger location and discovered industrial zoning currently prohibits its intended use. "They're throwing cheerleaders in the air, doing all all types of stunts that require high ceiling space," Tyler said, describing why the business needs larger, taller floor plates.
The city provided a draft of formal code language (Attachment B) and a support letter from the business and property owner (Attachment A). Tyler told council staff researched neighboring jurisdictions and found similar allowances in nearby Polk County and Salem.
Councilors asked for additional detail before action. Councilor Sheehy requested clarification of the square-footage thresholds and the distinction between categories such as "major event" and retail; staff said the planner (Chase) will include recommended thresholds and an explanation in the staff report. Councilor Spivey asked about current utilization of commercial versus industrial land; Tyler said commercial availability is low while much industrial land is underdeveloped, and estimated that relocating every gym in town would use roughly 1 to 2 acres versus a mill site of about 40 to 50 acres.
Councilors also raised questions about tax rates and building-code implications if gyms move to industrial parcels; staff declined to change tax policy and deferred specific building-code and certificate-of-occupancy questions to the building department, saying any necessary modifications would be addressed during permitting.
Multiple councilors voiced general support for the change as a way to free downtown storefronts for other retail uses and to give growing athletic businesses more options. Tyler said the next step is formal review by the planning commission; if that process is timely, the council could consider the ordinance in December or early January. The council indicated a consensus to move the draft forward to the planning commission for review.
