Planning board backs zoning change to allow health clubs downtown, urges board to issue special permits

The Peekskill planning board voted to recommend a zoning text amendment that would add a definition for "health club," allow health clubs as‑of‑right in C1 shopping districts and permit them in the C2 Central Commercial District through a special permit. The project under discussion is a proposed Anytime Fitness to occupy the former Rite Aid at 1101 Main Street (the Crossroads Shopping Center). "We're proposing that the planning commission be the lead agency," said Carol, the staff presenter, explaining that the board would be asked to circulate a notice of intent to declare lead agency so the environmental review could proceed.

Board members approved the recommendation with a modification: they asked that the planning board, rather than the common council, be the approving authority for C2 special permits to shorten the approval timeline. Keith Petensky, attorney for the applicant, said the company has experience operating similar facilities and told the board, "This is not their 1st rodeo," while agreeing to supply additional security and incident data to the police department and the board. Members pressed for detail on hours of on‑site staffing, remote monitoring, emergency‑entry procedures and how the new rule would apply to other downtown properties.

Why it matters: the change would enable health clubs to more easily reuse vacant retail space downtown, potentially increasing daytime and evening activity — but board members underscored the need to resolve safety and parking implications before final approval by the council. The board also directed staff to prepare EAF Part 2 for consideration at the next board meeting if no objections to lead‑agency designation are received.