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Planning commission narrows PD amendment to allow escape room at Village On The Parkway
Summary
The Addison Planning and Zoning Commission approved a PD amendment to allow an escape room at Village On The Parkway (5100 Beltline Road) by narrowly defining 'indoor recreation facility' to exclude larger uses; the applicant supported the tailored language.
The Addison Planning and Zoning Commission on April 21 approved a planned development amendment that adds a narrowly defined indoor recreation use to the Village On The Parkway (5100 Beltline Road) permitting an escape room to operate at the center.
The commission opened the item as Case 1948 Z. Cori Beck, assistant director for development services, told the commission the amendment would add 'indoor recreation facility' to the PD's permitted uses and that the definition in the Unified Development Code can include arcades, billiards and dance halls. Beck said the application does not propose changes to parking or landscaping and that signage shown in renderings has not yet been reviewed or approved.
Commissioners expressed concern that adopting the UDC's broad definition by reference could allow larger or late-night venues — including dance halls, auditoriums or athletic facilities — to locate in the Village On The Parkway by right. "So we could open a dance hall that's open all night?" one commissioner asked, citing the potential for 24-hour operations for certain uses if alcohol is not served.
Staff and counsel advised the commission that a PD can be tailored to the property. Leslie Knight, director of development and neighborhood services, said the commission could remove particular uses from the PD definition or define 'indoor recreation facility' narrowly. "You could literally tailor it so much as to say we are defining indoor recreation facility as an escape room," Knight said.
Marshall McKamey, representing the applicant (the escape-room operator), spoke by Zoom and said the narrower definition would be acceptable to the applicant: "I appreciate you guys taking the time to look at this," McKamey said.
Commissioner (S3) moved to approve Case 1948 Z with amended language to define an indoor recreation facility narrowly to include escape rooms; Commissioner (S2) seconded. The motion passed by voice vote; one commissioner (S4) recorded a nay.
What happens next: the commission's recommendation applies to zoning entitlements only. If approved by Addison City Council, the applicant will proceed to the building-permit process, where fire and building-code compliance will be reviewed.
Provenance: The discussion and vote on the PD amendment appear in the public hearing for Case 1948 Z during the commission's regular agenda.
