Commission reviews plan change to allow indoor recreation at Village On The Parkway; escape room proposed

Leslie, planning staff, described a plan development amendment that would allow primary indoor recreation facilities at Village On The Parkway. Under the prior code these uses were not allowed either by right or by special use; staff said the proposed change would reinstate the ability to permit indoor recreation uses tied to the parks/open-space framework.

"This would allow us to permit primary indoor recreation facilities at Village On The Parkway," Leslie said, noting examples such as batting cages or other indoor recreation venues that in prior codes had been allowed.

The applicant described an escape room as the proposed use; staff and commissioners confirmed there would be no food or beverage component to the submission. A commissioner asked about an applicant note referring to an exception to occupancy-load calculations; Leslie replied, "That will be handled during the building permit process. That's not a zoning — that is not under the purview of zoning." She recommended anyone with detailed fire-code questions consult the fire marshal's office.

Commissioners also noted a resident letter raised fire-code specifics; staff said those matters are evaluated at the building permit stage, and that the fire marshal typically reviews code exceptions at that time. Staff confirmed the applicant will be present online for the formal hearing.

The commission did not take a final vote during the work session. The amendment and the specific escape-room application will proceed through the advertised public hearing process and will be subject to building-permit review for occupancy and fire-code issues.