Resolution approving a Conditional Use Permit to allow an indoor playground and sports center in the B-3, Highway Business District and a Certificate of Design Compliance for the construction of a new structure in the Highway Gateway Overlay District (1740 Premier Drive); by request of Ryan Evenson.

Adoption of the attached resolution.

APX Construction is seeking a Conditional Use Permit and a Certificate of Design Compliance to allow for the operation of an indoor playground and sports courts facility in the B-3, Highway Commercial and Overlay zoning district. The property is located at 1740 Premier Dr, and consists of 4.83 acres and has been platted as Lot 5, Block 2 of Venstar Subdivision, Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minnesota. 

Conditional Use Permit:

The business, Endless Adventures, intends to operate an indoor playground for children ages 0–15. The proposed hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m, 7 days per week. Memberships can be purchased or customers can pay hourly for the use of the space.  

The building is approximately 20,000 square feet and floor plans show proposed indoor playground equipment, a basketball court, a soccer field, separate playroom for infants and toddlers, as well as two party rooms available for rental. There is a second floor mezzanine area with a future conference room space. 

The site provides a large parking area that also accommodates bus loading and unloading. The site is required to have parking to accommodate 43 stalls; 79 stalls have been provided. A 6' berm is being installed to buffer the property from the adjacent residential neighborhood, as well as a 6-foot fence to the west and north. Landscaping is planned around the property to additionally screen the parking lot and berm. 

The applicant is continuing to work with City Staff to determine the appropriate methods for storm water management for the site that conform to the MS4 requirements. 

During the Planning Commission review of the project, the adjacent property owners addressed the need to monitor the intersection of Augusta Drive and Premier Drive due to traffic volumes. The Planning Commission added a condition requiring the applicant to be a cost participant for future improvements on the corridor if justified within a three-year window.

Certificate of Design Compliance:
The proposed exterior elevations show the building to have a brick and metal-paneled facade. The proposed materials are currently selected to be earth tones of white, grey, and brown with an accent of a smokey blue. The storefronts and windows will be black. All metal panels will have hidden fasteners and will give the appearance of horizontal and vertical siding.