La Porte City Board of Zoning Appeals approves VR lounge at 1700 Lincolnway

The La Porte City Board of Zoning Appeals voted on March 10 to approve a special-exception petition permitting a virtual-reality gaming lounge at 1700 Lincolnway Suite 7, the applicant and staff said.

The board approved special-exception use petition 26-01 to classify the business as an "amusement arcade establishment" under the zoning code, with city staff recommending approval after finding the proposed use consistent with the B2 general commercial district and the countywide comprehensive land development plan.

Taylor O'Harren, the applicant, told the board the business would operate as a VR lounge rather than a traditional arcade. "It's not really an arcade," O'Harren said, describing the proposal as appointment-only online booking for roughly 30-minute sessions and "six to eight VR headsets" with no large noisy machinery.

David, a city staff member, presented the staff report and walked the board through the decision criteria, saying staff had concluded the proposed use "will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property" and is consistent with the countywide land development plan and the character of the B2 district. Staff recommended approval of special-exception petition 26-01.

The chair opened public comment; no members of the public spoke. A board member moved to approve the petition, another seconded, and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The chair declared the motion passed; the meeting record indicates the motion passed and the board then moved to adjourn.

The petition was approved at the March 10 meeting; no effective date or additional conditions were specified on the record.