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Council approves zoning text amendment expanding permitted uses in Retail Revitalization overlay
Summary
The Carbondale City Council adopted a text amendment to Title 15 clarifying and expanding allowed uses in the Retail Revitalization (RO) District and some commercial/industrial districts, adding event centers, studios, water parks, go-kart and BMX tracks, escape rooms and pickleball, and creating a 350-foot buffer for louder activities near residences.
The Carbondale City Council voted to adopt a text amendment to Title 15 of the Carbondale Revised Code that clarifies permitted uses in the Retail Revitalization (RO) District and adds a range of uses to commercial and industrial districts.
Staff said the amendment provides clearer guidance on whether uses are permitted indoors and outdoors, adds event centers, studios for yoga and dance, water parks, go-kart and BMX facilities, escape rooms, axe-throwing and expressly lists pickleball as a distinct use. The draft also adds a 350-foot buffer to separate potentially louder activities from residential uses and references Illinois Department of Public Health swimming-facility regulations for water parks.
Council member Roberts asked about occupancy thresholds for event centers; staff said occupancy is established elsewhere in code and that some definitions are included in other sections of municipal regulations. After brief discussion, Council member Gilman moved to adopt the ordinance and Roberts seconded. Roll-call votes recorded Kilman (yes), Roberts (yes), Stanfield (yes) and the Mayor Pro Tem (yes). The ordinance passed.
Why this matters: the amendment broadens the range of commercial entertainment and recreation uses the city will permit in RO and certain commercial/industrial districts, while introducing a buffer to protect nearby residences from louder activities.
Next steps: staff will publish the adopted text amendment and interpretive guidance; proposed projects seeking to use newly permitted activities will follow the normal permit and code-review processes.
