Residents on South Hill could soon have a new fitness centre in which to get into shape and build stronger community ties.
During the May 25 regular council meeting, city council voted unanimously to approve a discretionary use application for a commercial recreation establishment, subject to applicant Nathan Fall subdividing the property and city hall approving the subdivision.
According to Fall’s application, he delivered more than 80 letters to houses in the area describing his plans for the lot and received all positive feedback. He believes the fitness centre would build a stronger community, help bring residents together and add to the tax base.
“A gym on that side of the city, we see it as being beneficial,” Fall said during an in-person presentation with business partner Cody Dixon, adding he expects to start construction this fall.
The proposed commercial recreation venue would be a 446-square-metre (4,800-square-foot) fitness centre at 1135 Ninth Avenue Southwest, currently zoned as a C1 neighbourhood commercial district. City administration recommended the application’s approval due to the low potential for land-use conflicts and because it meets the zoning bylaw’s review criteria.
The four criteria include conformation to the Official Community Plan (OCP), detailed land use, servicing, or renewal studies; demand for the proposed use and supply of land currently available to accommodate; impact to existing community infrastructure; and impact to adjacent land uses and development.
“The proposed fitness centre will be an infill development that provides a new amenity for the surrounding neighbourhood. The nature of the project is encouraged in both the OCP and the (South Hill Local Area Plan),” a city council report said.
The proposed fitness centre is roughly 570 metres away from the nearest C2 district, which is the closest commercial district that permits commercial/institutional recreation venues. There are no recreation venues within the district; Pla-Mor Palace is the only indoor recreation venue nearby, roughly 540 metres away.
The proposed fitness venue is located on Ninth Avenue Southwest, which is an arterial road that can sufficiently accommodate the proposed discretionary use and would not require upgrades to roads or other services, the report continued. The area is mainly low-density residential, although an automotive repair shop is north of the proposed site.
This land use is discretionary in the C1 district since it could potentially conflict with permitted uses in some circumstances, the report added. City council reviews commercial and institutional recreation establishments and other uses on a case-by-case basis to prevent land-use conflicts.
“I think this is a great idea. I don’t think we have a gym on South Hill anymore,” said Coun. Crystal Froese. “We used to, and it was well utilized for a long time. I think this is a great use of this lot, a big parking lot.”
The next regular council meeting is Monday, June 14.
