Board approves outdoor play area for Kids Indoor Play Place after neighbors raise noise and runoff concerns

The Omaha Planning Board unanimously approved a major amendment allowing an approximately 8,700‑square‑foot outdoor play area for a recently opened indoor play facility on West Center Road, after neighbors expressed concerns about noise, visibility and stormwater.

David Levy, attorney for the applicant, said the outdoor area would be accessed only from inside the controlled facility and would not increase the facility's session capacity. "There is no increase in operating hours and the outdoor area would not increase the capacity of the facility," Levy said.

Nearby residents questioned the proposed buffering. Justin Pence and Becky Kane asked how tall the replacement trees would be and how long it would take them to mature. Kane noted the commercial site sits at higher elevation than the neighborhood and said a six‑foot fence may not block views. Neighbors also asked about prior maintenance of landscaping by the property owner and about runoff from development.

Michael Blatchford, a Kids Indoor Play Place representative, told the board the operator limits sessions to about 300 attendees despite a building capacity near 1,000 and said the business is considering reducing closing time from 8 p.m. to 7 p.m. to address neighborhood concerns.

Public Works staff said new sitework must meet stormwater management standards and that a 30‑foot landscape buffer yard is required where commercial zoning abuts residential. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions addressing landscaping, parking and stormwater; the board approved the amendment 6–0.