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Commission recommends city council approve Golfaholics' indoor golf-simulator business at Hillman Farm Plaza
Summary
On June 4 the commission voted to recommend approval to City Council for Golfaholics, a proposed indoor golf-simulator business at 1242 Bridal Road. Applicant James Smith said the venue will include five simulators, a 25-foot bar serving beer and wine only, and partnerships with nearby restaurants for food service; concerns about timing and sales tax were raised in public comment.
The O'Fallon Planning and Zoning Commission on June 4 recommended that the City Council approve a conditional use permit for Golfaholics, an indoor golf-simulator business proposed for 1242 Bridal Road in Hillman Farm Plaza.
Applicant James Smith told commissioners the venue would offer five state-of-the-art simulators (each about 14 feet by 14 feet), a 25-foot bar serving only beer and wine, and no on-site food service; instead, Smith said he has arranged a partnership with nearby restaurants (identified in the transcript as Irish Gypsy) to provide food in to‑go containers. Smith described membership and pricing plans — off-peak play at about $40 an hour, a $69-per-month practice pass, higher-tier packages and plans for periodic discounted nights — and said he expects equipment delivery on June 8.
Commissioners and others pressed Smith on operational details. A commissioner asked about hours of operation, and staff confirmed hours are listed in the staff report (not read aloud at the meeting). Public advocate Arnie Dinoff spoke in favor of the business occupying a long-vacant storefront but raised a question about whether simulator play would generate sales tax under the Missouri Department of Revenue rules and asked whether retail sales of accessories are planned.
The commission moved, seconded (mover recorded as Hennessy; second recorded as Charlene Auger in the transcript), and voted to recommend staff’s conditions and approval to the City Council. The chair announced "Motion carries." Meeting participants were reminded that the City Council will consider the conditional use permit on June 11 and that the applicant is taking any equipment deliveries before council action "at his own risk."
Next steps: The conditional use permit goes to the City Council on June 11 for final action. The applicant should complete any remaining permit steps and clarify sales-tax and food-service mechanics with staff if required by council conditions.
