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Council approves Star Center site plan and grants variances for overflow parking and landscaping
Summary
The NorthlakeTown Council unanimously approved a site plan for the 204,000-square-foot Star Center indoor sports facility and granted variances for overflow parking, reduced parking-lot tree counts and certain landscape requirements. Council members said the project will bring significant activity and requires flexibility on some standards.
The NorthlakeTown Council voted unanimously to approve the Star Center site plan and three related variances, clearing the way for a 204,000-square-foot indoor sports complex south of State Highway 114.
Planning staff described the package as a full site plan that includes a sign plan, landscape plans and building elevations. The developer requested variances to allow an unpaved overflow parking area to remain closed except when needed, to reduce the number of interior parking-lot trees and to modify foundation planting coverage on long exterior walls. "If there's a need for additional parking, there's an area when we have this area here," the planning presenter said, explaining the overflow parcel would be graded and initially turf or gravel rather than paved.
Council members and staff emphasized the project's scale and community value. The planning presenter noted the site "exceeds the minimum parking space requirement" and said the overflow lot would be monitored when in use. One councilor raised concerns about setting different standards for the town versus private projects; planning staff and the planning-and-zoning commission said the request was vetted and recommended approval.
The council made a motion to approve the site plan with variances and the motion carried 6–0. The approval includes the sign plan and allows the developer flexibility on tree placement and temporary overflow surfacing; staff said paving can be added later if usage warrants.
Council next steps will include standard construction permitting, monitoring the overflow parking plan and returning with any required site-plan changes. The approved plan also includes pedestrian access considerations and monument signage that staff said will be coordinated with the town's branding.
