Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening. This is Chair Dave Hton. I would like to call the regular meeting of the planning commission to order. Please join me now in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for it stands nationy andice for all. Very nice. Would Deputy City Clerk Sarah Armas please call roll. Commissioner Kulie here. Commissioner Flores here. Commissioners Jorgensson and Con will not be joining us tonight. Commissioner Munos Morris here. Vice Chair Tolley

here. Chair Hton, I'm here. Okay. At this time, we will hear any public comment for items that are not on tonight's agenda. Items raised are generally referred to staff and if actioned by the commission is required or necessary, it may be scheduled for a future meeting. And deputy clerk, do we have any such public comment? I have not received any speaker slips for non-aggenda public comment. So unless anyone is running a little behind, does not look

any last minute issues out there. Okay, moving on. Moving on to the consent calendar. Consent calendar items consist of matters that are deemed routine and non-controversial by staff and are typically acted on by a single vote. However, if a member of the commission wishes to pull any of those items from the from the consent calendar for individual consideration, you can say so right now. Do we have any such requests to pull anything? We do not. Moving on, um we do have a reminder here. Public comment is accepted for all items. And deputy clerk, do we have any comments on the consent items? Uh, no speaker slips.

Okay. All quiet. Uh, let's see here. And before we vote, do we have any commissioner comments on the consent agenda? In that case, I'll look for a motion to approve the consent calendar. Move to approve consent. I'll second that. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Doesn't seem like it. And deputy clerk sir armas, can you please call the role for the consent calendar? Commissioner Kulie, I. Commissioner Munus Morris, yes. Commissioner Flores, I. Vice Chair Tuli, yes. Chair Hton,

yes. Okay, moving on to public hearings now. Any court challenge to the action taken on public hearing items on this agenda may be limited to considering only those issues raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the city of St. Louis Abyispo at or prior to the public hearing. If you wish to speak, please give your name and address for the record. Please limit your comments to three minutes. And if you would like to make a public comment on any of the uh public hearings that are about to happen, please fill out a yellow form that's sitting right over there. Okay. So, the public hearing before us first is to review the request for the conditional use permit to operate the 24-hour gym at 1020 Southwood Drive. That is the YMCA. And uh before the staff begins their presentation, do we have any exparte disclosures to make from the commission? Seeing none. Uh okay. Now, it's time for the staff presentation and off we go. Hello, my name is Valerie Patino. I'm an assistant planner. I will be presenting to you today on the request for 24-hour YMCA gem categorized as large-scale commercial recreation use in the public facility zone under application number use 0835 2025. I will begin with the staff recommendation. Staff recommends that the planning commission adopt a resolution approving the conditional use permit based on findings and subject to the conditions of approval.

The project site is at 1020 Southwood in the public facility zone. YMCA uh began leasing this oh sorry uh public facility zone. It's on a property with that's shared with Johnson Park and a 35 space parking lot. There's access from Southwood Drive. It's adjacent to Sinshimer Elementary, Sinshimer Park, Multif Family Residential, and Slow Swim Center. YMCA began leasing this facility from the city in 1977. Uh the lease agreement and building permits records indicate that YMCA was legally established at that time and has operated continuously since establishment. The existing operating hours range from Monday through Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. varying by day with closure on Sundays. Current operations and amenities include fitness facilities, cardio, strength and weight equipment, group exercise, personal training, access to slow swim center, on-site child care, and other social gathering events. The proposed project would extend the operating hours to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Outside of the existing operating hours, no staff would be present, and access would be controlled by key fob entry. Use of the facility during these after hours times is limited to the main fitness floor, fitness and cardio rooms, and restrooms. Available equipment would be cardio machines, assisted strength training equipment, and dumbbells. But access to free weights, the weight room, locker rooms, studios one and two, and childcare areas would and the second floor would all be restricted. The project does not include any increase in intensity of the use during the existing operating hours and no additional square footage is proposed as part of the project. The planning commission's role today is to review the project for consistency with the general plan, zoning regulations, and applicable city development standards. Under current

zoning regulations, large-scale commercial recreation uses require.

Sorry, keep going. All right. Large scale commercial recreation uses require a CUP. Um this proposed expansion constitute it constitutes an intensification of the existing use and therefore a cup is required for the expanding hours to ensure consistency with current requirements. Staff has evaluated the project against relevant standards and guidelines and found it to be in compliance as discussed in the analysis in the agenda report. Uh the project is consistent with recreation land use designation of general plan and the public facility zone as it's a nonprofit community serving recreation facility including fitness facilities, classes, child care, swim programs, etc. Although the site is existing non-conforming with regards to parking, the project does not increase the parking demand under current city standards and no additional parking is required. The proposal expands operational hours to provide greater access for their members and does not include new floor areas or changes in occupancy. The project is categorically exempt under environmental review class 1 section 1533 15301 existing facilities under the SQL guidelines uh because it exists consists of operation permitting leasing of existing private structures and facilities involving negligible expansion of existing use through limited intensification extending to 24 hours. In conclusion, based on consistencies with municipal code and general plan, staff recommends the planning commission adopt a resolution to approve the project based on findings and subject to conditions of approval. I am available for any questions. Thank you.

Okay. Do we have any questions of staff from the commission?

Looks pretty quiet. Uh I have just a couple. Are we going to be modifying an existing CUP or are we going to be issuing a new cup? This would this would be issuance of a new cup. Uh the at the time of establishment, the cup would not have was not required. So, oh I see that the intensification calls for a cup under current requirements. So, okay,

it's a new CUP even though it's an existing legally operating. And then I know that we're not really passing judgment on the parking situation, but is there any indication that parking is a problem there now with the 35 spots that don't meet the current standard? Maybe that's a question for the applicant. Okay. Or for the room. Yeah. Uh okay. And let's see. That's pretty much it. Um do we have any public comments? Oh, a question is maybe for you or maybe for the applicant. Has this model of unstaffed after hours access been tried at other YMCA's? And if so, could you tell us about that?

I I believe yes. Um the applicant does have a presentation. Okay. Um if we want to wait and have them present and then move forward with that. That sounds like a good plan. Okay. Any other questions of staff? Okay. So, uh do we have any public comment, Deputy Clerk? Uh we do. I'm not sure if the script calls for something different, but typically they'll do after the applicant presentation. Oh, applicant presentation next. I've got so many colors on here. Um, okay. So, we'll we will hear from the applicant now. Excellent.

Good evening. Uh, thank you again for uh the time and the opportunity to present this proposal to you all. My name is Douglas Treywick. I've been in the YMCA movement for over 13 years and currently serve as the executive director of the St. Louis Abyispo County YMCA. This project and proposal would be incredibly impactful to our greater slow community and Y families. As we are committed to belonging for all 24-hour access helps ensure that more families and adults alike can have access to healthy living. Next slide. The Channel Islands YMCA has been serving since 1887 and the Slow County YMCA for 70 years since the be since being birthed in 1956. We offer programs in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility from CPR class to learn to swim programs to cancer survivor programs. We offer something for everyone. Most importantly, we fill gaps in our community and create belonging. As you may know or may not know, the surgeon general declared isolation as a national emergency in 2023. Belonging at places like the Y is one of those solutions. Next slide. Uh again, we've been serving our community for the past 70 years and in our current building, which is the 1020 Southwood Drive location for 35. We offer a variety of programs and continue to grow our operations to serve more throughout the city of slow. We have operated on long-term under a long-term lease through the city and have strength even strengthened our impact through thoughtful and effective program partnerships such as the swims the slow swim center aquatics facility and youth sports such as basketball and football. Next slide. We are located again on Southwood Drive adjacent to Cinch Sinshimer Elementary School next to Johnson Park and Sinshimer Park. the Slow Swim Center, John's Park and Sunshine Park, all within a few minutes of walking distance, making our section of town a central gathering place for families of all ages. In addition, uh again, we are across the street from Singimer Elementary School, as well as a multif family town home residences. Um again, making R Y easily accessible for many.

Next slide. Our conditional use permit application is for 24-hour access to our location for members. I love the YMCA, but we are not necessarily known for being cutting edge or trends setters. Uh in 2023, uh so three years ago, 31% of fitness centers were open 24 hours. There are also local examples of other fitness centers right here in St. Louis Abyspo that already offer 24-hour access. There are many benefits to participants listed above. Just not just to elude one, for example, is quiet. Some people do not like to wait for equipment and feel more comfortable and less intimidated working out during quieter times. Convenience work and providing increased availability to meet more family needs which also bleeds into personal life u prioritizing kids and family obligations during our current operational hours. This would also allow facility access on Sundays in which we are currently closed um and value. This just maximizes our value by increasing our facility availability. Next slide. At the YMCA, the number one suggestion based on surveys is around hours. And the number one reason for membership cancellation is that they do not have time to work out. We did a survey of our members to see if 24-hour access would be of interest. And of the respondents, 74% said yes, 4% said unsure, and 22% said it was something they would not use. Next slide. In regard to our permit specifically, there are no new activities. Everything we are doing is indoors. It is closed to the public and only open to members over the age of 18. First and foremost, we prioritize the safety of everyone with features such as added cameras, daily morning staff review of camera footage from the night before, emergency call buttons, and detailed member code of conduct that is different than our current operational policies for members. Our association risk committee and our insurance provider have both vetted and support this initiative.

Next slide. as displayed uh on this diagram above is just to show you the accessible and restricted areas of of our facility. As you may know, it's a two-story building, but this is all of the activities will happen on the first floor. Um there are cameras and outdoor lighting covering all indoor and outdoor facilities. No additional outdoor lighting fixtures will be installed, ensuring that there is not unnecessary lighting while we maintain the current lighting we already have to ensure a safe public space. in the yellow uh the high the yellow highlighted boxes are the the areas that are going to be accessible to members as Mallerie alluded to earlier with the equipment that is made available in those spaces. Next slide. There are many 24-hour wides across the country. We even have two right here in our association. On the bottom uh you can see our website advertising the service and the map of the corresponding facility above which is the Camero that houses that has houses similar to our slow proposal on three sides. It also includes a soccer field on the other as they launched their 24-hour in 2023. Uh there are residents as close to the Camaro facility as there are to our facil facility in neighboring town homes. We have yet to receive any major complaints at our Camaro Camaro branch and in totality all has gone very successfully at both of our new 24-houry locations. Next slide. So again, just wanted to to to point out that we've considered um did a lot of vetting and and homework on the potential concerns and I've addressed them all in the presentation as um alluded to. Next slide. This permanent application is meant to serve the community. We are a nonprofit just trying to do good. An example of someone who has previously been helped by the similar model in other communities. Cameron and Hannah live in Sanz and work at the Santa Barbara airport as pilots. Uh as they would say, we do not work a consistent schedule and love that the Y has more flexible hours so that we can

attend. This permit is not to put money in our pockets of our nonp of our nonprofit or frustrate our neighbors. It is simply done with the best intentions to help people like Randolph, first responders, commuters, students traveling to and from Kpali slow and other adults with nontraditional working schedules to live healthier lives. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much. Okay, now we will look for questions of the applicant. And I think you had one, Mr. Ky. No, I think you answered my question. Thank you very much. Any other questions? Yes, Commissioner Moz.

Yeah, I have a Thank you for the presentation. Can we go back to the slide where he said there's the highlighted areas for access? Um, okay. Just a quick question. This I don't think it's going to influence anything in any way. I I understand kind of the the bottom half of the image there. Mhm. Why are those I'm a current member so I'm familiar with with with the wait room which is the upper right corner. Could you explain to me what was kind of like the criteria for making that off limit because there's like a handful. There's like a couple cages and a handful of kind of things in there is like a risk thing.

Yeah, that's a good question. So li from a liability perspect and a safety perspective um any type of weight that has a barbell associated with it is off limits. So the weight room is where we're going to store and house like the bench press barbells for example. Oh, okay. So the ones in the main room in the main floor would also be moved. Correct. I got and we're going to install the the idea is to install as you know because you're there's a opening and so we're going to install a gate so that way during night time it can be closed. Gotcha. Thank you. Appreciate that. So just no free weights that because of liability makes sense.

No free weights. The locker rooms which is in that bottom left corner is also going to be closed. The only thing that will have open is the individual bathrooms on the left middle. Dumbbells will be available. Yeah. It's just barbell related equipment. Yep. Stuff that could hurt you. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Any other questions of the applicant? This is also a question that will reveal that I'm there too a lot. So, will the benches near the dumbbells be available as well if you want to use dumbbells with benches? Correct. The flat benches are available, just not the barbells. Thanks. Yep. Anything else?

Yeah, quick question. So, the rooms that are unavailable, do they already have are they all going to be installed with gates or they have doors that lock or what? How are you going to access? Good question. Essentially, every single one of those rooms already has a door on in place. Uh the places that we're going to install gates are actually to block the staircases so people can't get upstairs. Uh and then the wait room. Um and then all the other rooms have doors that lock. Okay. Y anything further? I see none. Uh okay. Now, do we have any public comment? Um thank you very much for the presentation. Do you have any click? Yes, we have one speaker, Ron Ulson.

Okay, Ron, it's your three minutes. Here we go. Thank you, commissioners, for not only your service, but for allowing me some time to speak tonight. I started my love affair with the YMCA as a third grade uh camper at the Culver Palms YMCA. Uh eventually started a career at the YMCA where uh I was a camp counselor and a uh day camp director at the Santa Monica YMCA. Uh we relocated here 21 years ago uh where I joined the board of the Slow County YMCA almost immediately served as as board chair and and currently serve on the Channel Islands YMCA board of directors uh effectively the oversight uh umbrella for every YMCA except for Santa Maria between Camaro and St. Louis Abyispo. Um I am I'm I'm here to speak on behalf of the 24hour YMCA. um our members are asking for it. It's a way for us to be able to continue our service to the community. Uh and and uh most importantly, it allows us to fulfill our mission of never having turned away anybody in the 70 years that we've been here for inability to pay uh their ability to pay the full share of of a YMCA membership. Uh uh and um and and as far as the YMCA goes, uh as Douglas said, we've been here for 70 years. We've been a really good corporate citizen. We've been a nonprofit partner. And for those reasons, uh because our members are asking for it because we have a model for it within our association already. And from what I've been told uh as a board member, the most egregious thing that's ever happened at the Camaro YMCA is everybody is individually required to fob in. Uh somebody actually let somebody in behind them and so they caught it on camera. They counseledled that member and that was actually the most egregious thing that has happened in in in all the time

at at Camaro. So, um I'm just here to support the YMCA, urge you to um approve this and uh let us uh continue to uh be a good a good nonprofit citizen and and a partner in the community and um allow um on a conditional use permit uh our members access to the YMCA on a 24-hour basis. So, thank you for allowing me to to speak. And I, for the record, I'm a St. Louis Abyspo resident. I live in the downtown historic district. Thank you. Thank you. And that other person that followed the person in, they were also a member. Yes. They just didn't. There's You're supposed to code with your own code, right? Yeah.

Right. Okay. Fair enough. Thank you. Okay. Any other public comment? No, we do not.

Okay. I'll acknowledge that we did receive one submitted comment from uh citizen Eric Justerson, I believe, and that was in favor of the 24-hour operation as well. So, let me make sure I do the right thing here. Uh any additional questions of staff at this time? Seeing none, and uh we'll look for a motion in a second. Is there any discussion at all? Any points anybody would like to raise? I'll I I'll be in favor and I'll be happy to make a motion in a second, but I just wanted to say that I'm I'm glad to see this coming before us. There are other gyms in in the area that offer that and as a member, I've often wish that the Y was open on a Sunday for instance and I'm looking forward to being able to do that now. So, just wanted to say that. Great.

Yeah. Thank you. Anything else before we move? I was just going to say that I think the only other real concern that I would have had hypothetically would have been about parking noise and that sort of thing, but I'm regularly there at 5:30 in the morning because I'm a weirdly early riser and it's often very quiet, so I don't really have any concerns about that. I' I'd say at the peak usage time right after work, it's it's maybe full, but I've never had an issue finding a spot either when when we show up. Yeah. So, did you make a motion? I haven't yet, but I'd be happy to make it right now. I make a motion to uh approve the CUP as outlined by city. Okay, we have a motion. Would anybody like to second that? I would second that motion.

We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? I have a little bit to say here.

Okay, so I tried hard to find some reason anything that this would be a not good idea and I came up empty. So it seems like an easy thing to do. So, uh, I'm not a Y member myself, but and I didn't really remember it until you you mentioned camp, but I went to YMCA camp as a young boy. I lived in the East Bay and we went to camp Gualala and um, yeah, so I'm pro YMCA, too, even though I'm not a member currently. So, that's all good stuff. And I did have the question about parking, but this would not I can't imagine this would be a parking issue late at night, so or super early in the morning. So, uh, if there's no other discussion, then we will be ready for a vote. Okay, let's, uh, have a vote. And Deputy City Clerk, please call roll.

Commissioner Munius Morris, yes. Commissioner Kohley, I. Commissioner Flores, I. Vice Chair Tolley, I. Chair Hton, I. Motion passes. Okay. Thank you, YMCA. Moving on. Um, what happened to the purchase? Was that uh consent? Well, that was in consent. Okay. All right. Well, this is going to be an easy one, isn't it? Okay. Um, Deputy Community Development Director Tyler Corey, can you please provide us an update on what's coming up?

There's a lot of syllables.

Thank you, Chair. Um, right now the next regular meeting is uh May 27th. I don't have any items, so that's going to be cancelled. And then looking out into June, first meeting in June is on the 10th and I do not have any items currently um calendared for the 10th. So that may or may not happen. We'll we'll follow up when we get a little closer. But um currently beyond that I don't have any any items uh on the calendar that would be coming before you. But that could change pretty quick. But at this point um we have a little break potentially. Okay. It's almost summertime. All right. So with that, uh the next regular meeting of the planning commission is scheduled for May 27th. It's likely to be cancelled. That'll be 6 o'clock p.m. in these council chambers. City Hall, 990 Palm Street, St. Louis Abyspo. We are ajourned.