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Planning Commission recommends indoor recreation be a conditional use in industrial zones
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended that City Council adopt text amendment 25‑06 to define 'commercial indoor recreation' in the Dallas Development Code, but changed the industrial‑zone entry from permitted to conditional use to preserve case‑by‑case review for gyms/cheer/CrossFit conversions.
At its Jan. 8 meeting the Dallas Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward a recommendation to City Council on legislative amendment 25‑06, which would create a new "commercial indoor recreation" use (examples: gyms, martial‑arts studios, dance classes, certain arenas) and move those activities out of the existing retail definition into a dedicated category.
Staff explained the proposed code language and policy context, noting the amendment’s consistency arguments under the Dallas comprehensive plan and Oregon statewide planning goals. The new section would define indoor recreation, give examples and list where the use is permitted, conditional, or prohibited across residential, commercial and industrial zone tables. For residential zones staff proposed limiting activities that generate audible noise off‑site.
Several local business owners — including Nicole Connors of Strive Athletics and operators of Harvest CrossFit — testified that the change would make it easier for small, growing recreational businesses to find suitable warehouse‑scale spaces without leaving Dallas. "We serve a lot of kids and families in our community ... we need a warehouse pretty much," Connors said in support of the amendment.
Commissioners raised concerns about applying an outright permitted use to all industrial lands because of potential conflicts with heavy industrial operations, spectator events, and parking impacts. Commissioners proposed and approved an amendment to the staff recommendation: indoor recreation should be a conditional use (CU) in industrial zones so that future conversions or large indoor venues can be reviewed case‑by‑case with conditions addressing parking, hours, noise and the industrial context.
The commission left indoor recreation as a permitted use in commercial districts (where the uses are already common) and recommended the change for industrial districts only. The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for final action, and participants of record will be notified of the upcoming council hearing. Commissioners encouraged applicants and interested businesses to attend the council public hearing to present testimony.
Sources: staff presentation and public testimony at the Jan. 8, 2026 Planning Commission meeting.
