Planning commission declares intent to be lead agency and recommends special permit for indoor soccer training center at 1 Highland Industrial Park

The Planning Commission moved July 8 to declare intent to act as lead agency for a coordinated CEQA review of a proposed indoor soccer training center at 1 Highland Industrial Park and to forward a positive recommendation to the Common Council on the required special permit for the amusement/use classification.

Applicant representatives—Jeff Gasparo (counsel), JB Hernandez (architect), and Flavio and Edwin (Westchester Sports Arena LLC)—described plans to convert an existing energy‑distribution warehouse into an indoor training facility (no bleachers or spectator stadium). The applicant said the landlord has identified roughly 100 parking spaces and staff noted code requires about 92 spaces; the parking will be demarcated and reserved for tenants. Flavio said the program serves roughly 120 youth players with training and clinics and would provide a stable indoor training home. "We've been running a soccer academy since 2019... we have around 120 plus students from ages 2 to 16," Flavio said.

Commissioners praised recreational uses that bring families into the city but asked for additional documentation and safeguards: verify parking arrangements, confirm building sprinklering and fire‑barrier separation from adjacent truck‑repair operations, ensure any on‑site contamination concerns are addressed (staff noted the EAF flagged a potential nearby remediation item), and verify stormwater functioning near the adjacent Hollowbrook. The commission concluded the action is likely a Type II or unlisted SEQRA action but voted to declare intent to act as lead agency (coordinated review) and to recommend a positive special‑permit referral to the Common Council so the council can take up the matter at its public hearing next week.