Board directs staff to prepare Treehouse Play Cafe ordinances after debate over proposed liquor service

Director Jennings presented the planning and zoning commission's recommendation to approve a special use permit and a sign-variation for Treehouse Play Cafe at 555 Townline Road, a proposal to convert the former Party City space into an indoor play space with an adjacent cafe. The petitioner, Michael Ferguson, described a family-focused model with single-gate access, CCTV and sightlines designed to keep children visible to supervising adults.

Ferguson said the business has operated for four years at other sites and typically charges general-admissions (he quoted an all-day admission of $17 at that meeting) and hosts two-hour parties. He said the cafe component is not a drop-off business and that "adult supervision required" is enforced; he added the cafe sales (including canned alcoholic beverages) account for roughly 2.6% of sales at an existing location.

Several trustees asked questions focused specifically on the liquor-licensing component. Ferguson said he intends to apply for a liquor license later and described safeguards: staff must be 18+ to serve alcohol, managers are always on duty, and the cafe does not permit customers to enter solely for drinks without a paid admission. Trustees signaled they may be reluctant to approve a liquor license in the future; Director Jennings and staff clarified that any liquor license would require a later hearing before a liquor & license commission.

The board directed staff to prepare the required ordinances (special use and sign-variance) for future formal consideration. No liquor license decision was made at this meeting; trustees asked the applicant to return with documentation from other communities if he later applies for alcohol service.