Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Planning board approves 190 Wakefield site-plan amendment to convert pharmacy to 24/7 health club
Loading...
Summary
The Rochester Planning Board accepted and approved a site-plan amendment that will convert the former pharmacy at 190 Wakefield Street into a 24/7 Vanguard Key Clubs fitness center, subject to standard conditions including dumpster photos and a bicycle rack; board members asked the applicant about security, tailgating prevention and staffing.
The Rochester Planning Board voted to accept and approve a site-plan amendment for 190 Wakefield Street that will convert the existing pharmacy building into a 24-hour Vanguard Key Clubs fitness center. The board declared the application complete, found it not to be a development of regional impact and approved the application with standard staff conditions.
Dalen Annis, operations manager for Vanguard Key Clubs, told the board the company operates six corporate locations and plans a key‑access, unstaffed 24/7 model in Rochester. "We have a tailgating software that is integrated into the camera system," Annis said, describing how the system flags an authorized swipe followed by multiple entrants and notifies the member and operator.
Planning staff recommended approval with routine conditions, including submitting photographs of the existing dumpster enclosure, providing a bicycle rack, and complying with landscaping, snow‑removal and fire‑safety requirements during building permit review. The staff memo noted the conservation commission recommended approval for the limited wetland work referenced in the application packet.
Board members asked how Vanguard will discourage loitering and handle on‑site incidents. Annis said the facility relies on bright lighting, continuous flow of members and remote notifications; the company requires waivers at signup and maintains a facilities manager and cleaning contractor who visit regularly. "There's a first aid kit on-site," he said, and the business expects other patrons will be present at most hours.
After discussion the board passed the motion to approve the site‑plan amendment; the chair said the motion carries and the applicant may proceed with the conditions noted by staff.
The application will move to the building‑permit stage where staff and reviewers will verify the required photo documentation, sign‑age changes and fire‑safety items cited in the approval.
