Planning commission approves conditional use permit for martial arts studio at 1560 Dale Avenue

The planning commission voted to approve a conditional use permit allowing a martial arts studio to operate at a property staff identified as 1560 Dale Avenue (parcel 113964020013003), directing staff to draft findings for referral to city council for final action on July 7.

Staff introduced the application as a conditional use because the proposed studio would locate in an industrial zone and therefore required review. Staff told the commission the property is about 0.5 acre, that a SEPA checklist had been filed and that the agency issued a determination of nonsignificance; staff also said the notice and affidavit posting were completed and no public comments were received during the SEPA comment period.

The applicant, identified in the record only as the presenter at the hearing, described program details and scheduling. “It’s mainly jujitsu,” the presenter said, and added that the facility would include some conditioning equipment but would not operate as a full‑service gym. The presenter said classes would serve both children and adults, with likely class times in afternoon and evening windows (roughly 4–9 p.m.), and that the business intends to keep fees as affordable as possible and to pursue grant support to help low‑income families.

Local commissioners and residents voiced general support during the hearing, asking about adult programming, affordability and safety measures such as mats. Staff and the presenter said the industrial location and proposed hours should limit traffic and noise impacts.

Following the hearing, the chair moved to approve the conditional use permit and to authorize staff to prepare findings consistent with the hearing record and to authorize the chair to sign those findings. The motion was seconded and the chair called for a voice vote; several commissioners responded “aye” and the chair stated the motion carried. The chair said the commission will assign preparation of the written findings and forward the item to the city council for final action on July 7.

Clarifying details: staff referred to the site address as 1560 Dale Avenue in the project summary and provided parcel number 113964020013003 and an approximate site area of 0.5 acre. The motion as read at the dais referred to “1560 Bill Avenue” (transcript wording); staff’s project description earlier identifies the property as 1560 Dale Avenue. The SEPA determination was described as a determination of nonsignificance; no SEPA comments were recorded in the hearing transcript.