To: Mark Hafner, City Manager
From: JP Ducay, Planner I
Subject:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: Consider an ordinance approving a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for Smoking Axes, a proposed axe throwing Indoor Entertainment Facility, located on an approximately 2.995-acre tract of land, on the west side of South Main Street (U.S. HWY 377) and approximately 1,700 feet southwest of the intersection of Bear Creek Parkway and South Main Street (U.S. HWY 377), being Lot 4, Block A, Bear Creek Plaza Addition, at 770 South Main (U.S. HWY 377), Account (#: 41037405), and zoned Commercial (C). Gary Cox and Carlos Marroquin, Applicants. Bear Creek Plaza Associates, LTD, Property Owner.
Action Requested:
Consider an ordinance approving a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for Smoking Axes to operate an indoor axe throwing Entertainment Facility. (See Exhibit A.)
Zoning:
Commercial (C). The Commercial District is intended predominately for certain retail, and light intensity wholesale and commercial uses of a service nature which typically have operating characteristics or traffic service requirements generally incompatible with typical office, other retail, shopping, and residential environments.
Background:
In 2005, the subject property was platted as Lot 4, Block A, of the Bear Creek Plaza Addition. The Site Plan for this development was approved in 2006 by City Council per Resolution No: 2433. (See Staff Attachment.)
The subject lease space is a 3,736 square-foot endcap located as the south-most lease space of 770 South Main (Bear Creek Plaza).
The Applicants seek to open an indoor sports/entertainment axe throwing facility. Such venues are becoming increasingly popular as they have begun opening up throughout the Metroplex in cities such as Fort Worth, Grapevine, Arlington, and Lewisville. What is being proposed is an indoor entertainment space designed to allow customers to throw axes (or hatchets) at wooden targets in general public lanes or dedicated party rooms for special events. All employees will be trained by the “World Axe Throwing League” in safety and axe throwing instruction. If approved, the Applicants intend on opening as a BYOB facility for beer and wine only. Once their beer and wine sales license is obtained, they intend to sell beer and wine.
SUP Request:
All “Entertainment” uses require a SUP in the Commercial Zoning District.
Hours of Operation:
The Applicants are anticipating operating from 12pm to 11pm 7 days a week with
Sunday closing at 6pm.
Surrounding Zoning & Land Uses:
North, South, East, West: Commercial (C)
Citizen Input:
On August 1, 2019, the City mailed out six (6) letters of notifications for a Public Hearing to all property owners within three-hundred feet (300’) of the subject site.
The Applicant provided staff with (4) signatures of support from surrounding businesses (not property owners). (See Exhibit A.)
As of August 27, 2019, staff has not received any form of opposition from the public regarding this application.
Summary:
Section 8.02 (F.2.a) of the UDC states that when considering a SUP request, the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council shall consider the following factors:
1) The use is harmonious and compatible with surrounding existing uses or proposed uses;
2) The activities requested by the applicant are normally associated with the permitted uses in the base district;
3) The nature of the use is reasonable and appropriate in the immediate area;
4) Any negative impact on the surrounding area has been mitigated; and
5) That any additional conditions specified ensure that the intent of the district purposes are being upheld.
Planning and Zoning Recommendation:
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 5-1 on
August 12, 2019.
Alternatives:
The City Council has the following options when considering a Specific Use Permit:
- Approve as submitted.
- Approve with modified or additional condition(s).
- Tabling the agenda item to a specific date with clarification of intent and purpose.
- Deny.