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Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 2011-02 Variance No. 2011-03 March 28, 2011 Page 3 Proiect Analvsis Zoninq Ordinance Amendment The proposed zoning ordinance amendment is to amend the permitted uses section of the Arterial Commercial (C5) zoning district (SAMC Section 41-424) and allow health clubs as a permitted use. If approved, gymnasium and health club facilities would become a permitted use in all of the City's C5 commercial zoning districts. In order to allow the proposed Gold's Gym health club, the proposed zoning ordinance amendment would be required. The Arterial Commercial zoning district was established in 1952 as part of the original zoning ordinance for the City. Over the years, minor adjustments have been made to the permitted uses section and the development standards of the C5 zone. The last comprehensive review of the C5 zoning district was in 1982, which introduced development standards intended to promote quality development and to upgrade commercial uses along major arterials. Also included in the comprehensive review was the deletion of several uses from the district, such as care homes, public utility facilities and equipment storage, rental and sales yards, with no mention of gymnasiums and health clubs. During this comprehensive update, health clubs were not a common land use found in the city. The opening of larger health clubs such as Bally's, 24 Hour Fitness, LA Fitness, and Gold's Gym were part of the growth in the health club industry that began in the mid to late 1980's. Research by staff indicates that on average, health clubs have increased by as much as 10 percent in the last three decades. These uses have typically been located on arterial streets and near major intersections to facilitate access and to increase visibility. In addition, health clubs have increased in size and can now only be accommodated in large retail centers commonly found in the C5 zones. Further, modern health clubs have changed the nature of their operations. Today, many offer a variety of retail services within their floor plans, such as cafes, equipment and clothing shops and nutritional consulting services that would benefit from locating within a C5 zone, along arterial highways and at locations with enhanced visibility. Since the site is a large 9.5 acre site, is adjacent to two major arterial highways, will be oriented toward Seventeenth Street and has a large parking lot, the subject site is an appropriate location for the use. If approved, the proposed zoning ordinance amendment will be applicable to all other C5 zoned properties in the City. These other similarly zoned properties may be suitable sites for a health club but are currently restricted by not being an allowable uses in the zoning. The code amendment will also allow the larger C5 zoned properties found throughout the City the ability to contain a health club (Exhibit 6). The proposed amendment supports the General Plan policies of encouraging viable commercial development along arterial streets, promoting rehabilitation of commercial properties, and supporting developments that are harmonious with existing development in the area. Uses such as a health club at this location will further strengthen the City's commercial base and will provide support services to the surrounding neighborhoods. 75A-5