Commission approves KidStrong kids' gym at 1581 Southeast Road with parking conditions

The Newington Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved a special permit on July 8 to convert an existing retail space at 1581 Southeast Road into a KidStrong kids’ gymnastics facility.

Philip Seron, the project’s architect, told the commission the facility would be 3,750 square feet in total, with 2,679 square feet located in Newington and 1,071 square feet in neighboring Farmington. He said classes would be staggered across two studios, generally hosting about 10–12 students per class and rarely reaching the 15-student maximum. "We have an excess of 28 spaces on the site," Seron said, noting applicant calculations showed the site exceeds required parking.

Staff recommended the applicant review on-site uses and parking management to address potential class overlap and circulation during peak arrivals. The commission’s motion to approve the special permit was made with conditions requiring the applicant to obtain all applicable permits; the approving commissioner said the application meets the B zone and special-permit criteria in Newington’s regulations.

The approval follows a re-run of the public hearing required after a legal-notice error; there were no changes to the plan since it was last presented and no members of the public spoke in opposition. The architect and staff indicated that the applicant will pursue any additional permits and that staff may follow up on parking-management details as the business opens.

The commission recorded the favorable vote and the item will proceed under the town’s permitting process.