File # PZ 21-031
APPLICATION: Special Use
PETITION: The applicant, Maria Adele Travis, is initiating a Special Use approval to allow a fitness center located in the Central Business District (CBD).
LOCATION: 4469 Marietta Street Land Lots: 875, 19th Districts, Powder Springs, Georgia.
ACRES: 0.17 acres Parcel ID #: 19087500370 Zoning: Central Business District
Prepared By: Community Development
Location Map
Background Information:
The applicant is proposing a personal training studio in which services will be offered on a one or small group basis. The proposed fitness studio will also provide nutritional consultation, health assessments, sales of fitness apparel and nutrition supplements. Per Table 2-3 of the Unified Development Code, a fitness center within the Central Business District (CBD) requires a Special Use approval. “The CBD zoning district is intended foster a unique sense of place and identity for the city. This intent can be achieved by providing for an appropriate mixture of land uses and intensity of development conducive to maintaining the downtown area as a focal point for civic activities and traditional “main street” retail commercial and service uses. The CBD zoning district is also intended to provide for a vibrant mix of land uses within easy walking distance of abutting and adjacent neighborhoods, including commercial, office, various forms of housing, civic uses, and parks and recreation areas.”
Surrounding Area: The subject site is surrounded by various commercial uses all located within the Central Business District (CBD). The uses surrounding the subject site includes a bookstore, restaurants, city hall, hair salon, tax service office, and the recently built park. There are also two townhome development within less than two (2) miles of the subject use.
Analysis:
Special Use approval requests are reviewed by criteria set forth in Article 13 of the Unified Development Code. Based on the analysis in this staff recommendation, this application meets the requirements of Special Use Approval, subject to the stipulations provided.
Table 2-3 of the Unified Development Code (UDC) indicates that a Special Use approval by the Mayor and City Council must be granted prior to establishment of a “fitness center” in the CBD zoning district.
The application should be reviewed against the following standards:
a. Will the proposed special use be consistent with the stated purpose of the zoning district in which it will be located?
The intent of the CBD is to provide for “an appropriate mixture of land uses and intensity of development conducive to maintaining the downtown area as a focal point for civic activities and traditional “main street” retail commercial and service uses.” The proposed request of a fitness center is consistent with the intent of the CBD. The fitness center will allow users to promote other services that are being provided in the historic district. These nearby services are all walking distance from the subject site and will provide a “main street concept” which is the main intent of the CBD district.
b. Will the establishment of the special use not impede the normal and orderly development of the surrounding property for uses predominate in the area?
The subject site is located along Marietta Street surrounded by commercial uses. There will be no expansion or construction activities. The owner is anticipating having no more than 10 persons per session at any given time. There is adequate parking in and around the subject site. The proposed request is not anticipated to impede the normal and orderly development of the surrounding property.
c. Is the location and character of the proposed special use consistent with a desirable pattern of development in general?
The proposed special use is consistent with desirable pattern of development. This proposed request is aligned with the purpose of the Downtown overlay (Section 2-31). “The purpose of this district is to provide for appropriate planned development of quality mixed-use projects within the City of Powder Springs LCI study area by allowing greater freedom of design, by improving the opportunity for flexibility and creativity in the land development process, by undertaking techniques which foster community and pedestrianism, and by limiting the expenditure of public funds in an effort to achieve the objectives and intent of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and LCI Plan.”
d. Is or will the type of street providing access to the use be adequate to serve the proposed special use?
The proposed request is not intended to be a large-scale facility. The owner has indicated that no more than 10 clients will be at the facility at any given time. The subject site fronts on Marietta Street, Broad Street and Murray Avenue. There is adequate parking at nearby facilities such as the park, city hall, downtown parking area. The fitness center will be easily accessible.
e. Is or will access into and out of the property be adequate to provide for traffic and pedestrian safety, the anticipated volume of traffic flow, and access by emergency vehicles?
Accesses in and out of the property appears to be adequate. The Historic district has sidewalk and adequate parking to facilitate safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The speed limit along Marietta is 25 miles per hour, this allows for safe movement of vehicular traffic and the safety of our residence.
f. Are or will public facilities such as schools, water or sewer utilities, and police or fire protection be adequate to serve the special use?
Water and sewer are existing at this location, any other public services should not be negatively impacted. School capacity will not be impacted due the proposed request.
g. Are or will refuse, service, parking and loading areas on the property be located or screened to protect other properties in the area from such adverse effects as noise, light, glare or odor?
The proposed use is not intended to generate an abundance of waste; therefore, odor should not be of concern. The proposed use is surrounded by commercial activities therefore noise light should not be a concern.
h. Will the hours and manner of operation of the special use have no adverse effects on other properties in the area?
The proposed hours of operation is from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm daily. The opening hours are standard hour for a fitness center and should not have any adverse effects on neighboring commercial properties.
i. Will the height, size or location of the buildings or other structures on the property be compatible with the height, size or location of buildings or other structures on neighboring properties?
This is an existing building that will be utilized. There will be no constriction and expansion of the building.
Fiscal Impact: There are currently existing services and infrastructure to support the proposed request. The proposed request should not have any negative economic impact on the City of Powder Springs as infrastructure and services are already in place to serve the proposed request.
Summary and Recommendation:
Staff recommend approval of PZ 20-031 with the following conditions:
1. Allow a Special Use approval to conduct a fitness center in the Central Businesses District on property located at 4469 Marietta Street.
2. The Special Use will become void if there are any code enforcement violation as determined by the Community Development Director.