Posted: 8/7/02

Stars and Strikes project on a roll with new city of Wyoming site plan

Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

By a unanimous vote Monday, Wyoming City Council passed a resolution amending the zoning ordinance and creating a family entertainment district in the city. Action was taken at the recommendation of the planning commission.

City Attorney Tom Miller recommended a letter of intent be in place, inclusion of the property legal description, and acceptance of the development agreement between the city and Stars and Strikes before the rezone is in effect.

The designated area is located in the Wyoming Business Park north of the Sunrise River, between the river and the freeway and south of the Regal Machine site. A summary ordinance for publication was approved.

The action rezones an area of the designated light industrial area of the city, to accommodate family oriented entertainment. Permitted conditional uses in the area include restaurant, lounge, bowling alley, game rooms, banquet and meeting spaces suitable for large meetings, retreats, wedding receptions, with retail and office space as accessories to the businesses.

Excluded from the zone are outside sports facilities that would create noise, smoke, and nuisance for neighbors.

There are some special requirements related to security, outside lighting, landscape design, warranting plantings for two growing seasons, a special permit requirement for all outdoor events, and prohibition of adult (sexually-oriented) entertainment in any form. In all other respects, the ordinance requirements for this zone are the same as light industrial.

Public comments

While there have been public hearings, there were comments related to the proposed action. High school student Drew Peterson was pleased the city was taking some action to provide an area and activities for youth.

However, there was also some opposition to the rezoning. Resident and business owner Barney Rieck said he thought they should be consistent at keeping retail and industrial uses separate.

Mayor Vern Haag pointed out successful examples of business located next to commercial development, specifically East Viking Commons and commercial development near and along Fallbrook.

Scott Galeazzi, who lives on 273rd Street, was concerned about the increased volume of traffic, with no signals at the 273rd intersection. He proposed a traffic signal there or locating another entrance to the site.

Creating an additional entrance is out of the hands of the council.

Other concerns related to groups ìhanging outî in the area are addressed by specifics in the ordinance. Council has assurances from Police Chief Mike Temte that curfew rules will be enforced.

The council also unanimously approved the conditional use permit for Stars and Strikes to operate an entertainment business in the new district. Granting of the CUP is contingent on closing of the property purchase, submission of legal description, and signing of a letter of intent and a development agreement.

Addressed in the CUP are landscaping, hours of operation and liquor sales in compliance with state laws, odors and trash collection, handling of grease, signs, outside lighting, security plan, noise control, prohibition of adult entertainment on the site, and outdoor entertainment events. Failure to meet any of the requirements would nullify the rezone and land would revert back to the original zone.

Council approved the preliminary plat for the Stars and Strikes entertainment center. On Millerís recommendation approval is contingent on final plat submission within one year, a signed development agreement, and consideration of comments by the planning commission, city engineer and attorney.

Partners Nancy Imel and Betsy Rud presented the preliminary plat, site plan and elevations. Plans are to locate the building close to the north property line to shorten distance for utilities. Roughly 30,000 square feet in size, the front of the building would face I-35.

At Millerís insistence, all owners must participate when the final plat is submitted. The county also requires the opinion of an attorney about the title. Ponds, drainage and utility easements need to be shown.

Conservation easement must be addressed and public safety issues need to be reviewed.

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