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Dallas planning staff propose indoor-recreation category, mixed-use zoning and CCI task group; commission asks for data and timeline
Summary
Staff proposed a new 'commercial indoor recreation' land-use category to allow certain indoor recreation uses in industrial and commercial zones (conditional in residential zones) with DEQ Phase I clearance for repurposed industrial buildings; commissioners requested updated vacancy/occupancy data and scheduled a public hearing in December.
Planning staff presented proposed development-code amendments to create a new "commercial indoor recreation" category and to permit that use outright in commercial and industrial zones while making it conditional in residential districts. Staff said repurposed industrial buildings allowed for such uses would require a Phase I environmental clearance from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality before conversion.
Staff explained the draft includes size thresholds: retail accessory to recreation over 2,000 sq ft would be classified as retail sales and service; meeting/exhibition space over 10,000 sq ft would trigger a "major event entertainment" classification with different standards. The staff report (prepared by Tyler Ferrari and others) recommended public hearing on the code changes at the planning commission’s December meeting and potential council consideration in late January.
Commissioners discussed compatibility concerns (parking, truck access, and the potential displacement of industrial tenants), noted a 2021 economic opportunities analysis showing a surplus of industrial acreage but a shortage of commercial acreage, and asked staff to include more recent occupancy/vacancy figures in the formal staff report.
Staff also briefed the commission on a draft mixed-use zoning district to implement the Lac Real master plan; language to create that district is expected to be brought to the commission in December so rezoning work can proceed thereafter.
Commissioners also discussed forming a Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI) or a similar task group to lead community engagement on land-use issues; one commissioner said a consultant could be contracted to manage outreach and deliver concise findings, and noted a draft CCI handbook had been prepared with the assistance of ChatGPT as a starting point for discussion. Staff cautioned about resource timing (holiday season) and said a special meeting would likely be scheduled in early next year if needed.
Next steps: staff will assemble requested occupancy statistics and finalize draft code text for a December hearing and will return to the commission with a staff report that includes vacancy/occupancy data and recommended procedures for public outreach.
