Commission recommends rezoning and conditional use for indoor golf simulator at 6489 Peach Tree Boulevard

City staff presented a combined rezoning and conditional-use request for 6489 Peach Tree Boulevard. The owner seeks rezoning from OI (Office Institutional) to T5 (Urban Center) and a conditional use permit for a commercial recreation establishment greater than 3,000 square feet to allow an indoor golf simulator business. Staff said the building has been vacant for about three years and presented existing and proposed floor plans showing several private simulator rooms and open recreational spaces. Staff recommended approval of the rezoning and approval of the CUP with conditions requiring all fencing on the property to comply with T5 regulations (no barbed wire; front-yard fencing limits) and ensuring required parking is not obstructed.

Staff noted the property historically had commercial zoning (C2) and that the adopted comprehensive plan currently designates the parcel for office uses; staff described this as a limited exception compatible with frontage along Peachtree Boulevard and said no traffic improvements would be required. The proposed hours in the packet were corrected to 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Friday–Sunday. Staff estimated the site would require about 45 parking spaces (one space per 200 square feet of public area) and said the site has roughly 45–50 existing spaces, meeting the minimum.

Applicant Tang Uli (who identified himself at the hearing) described plans to build out simulator rooms and keep most activity inside the building; a supporter (identified as Yi Hent, who said she formerly served on a nearby city council) spoke in favor and emphasized the site’s vacancy and community benefits. Commissioners asked about building capacity, parking, and sidewalks; staff confirmed the building is about 10,000 square feet with roughly 9,000 square feet of public space and that there are currently no sidewalks on the nearby access road.

The commission first voted to recommend rezoning (Z-25-05) to T5 and then voted to recommend approval of CUP-25-05 with the staff conditions addressing fencing and parking. Both motions passed on roll calls. Staff said both recommendations will be forwarded to Doraville City Council for final action in two weeks. The applicant noted that a separate alcohol license (if pursued) would be a later conditional-use process.