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There appears to be a growing request for indoor
sports/activity facilities. In the last several months,
Community Development has had four inquiries about indoor
sports/activity centers. One person wants to establish an
indoor soccer field for youth soccer. Another person wants
a facility for dance, gymnastics, a game room (video games,
ping pong, etc.), and meeting rooms for groups such as
scouts. Another wants to construct three indoor soccer
fields and three basketball courts.
Staff’s initial response is to have a broad definition for
indoor sports/activity center in order to allow flexibility
to respond to needs and creative proposals. Conversely,
staff recommends that such uses be allowed by special permit
or special exception in order to ensure that a proposed
facility is compatible with a proposed location.
Fairfax County requires that such facilities: 1) have one
parking space per three persons of maximum occupancy load
plus one spot per employee; 2) not be located within 1,000
feet of any school; and 3) not be located within 100 feet of
any residence. It also admonishes the Board of Supervisors,
who issues the special exception, to consider: 1) hours of
operation; 2) a required adult/child ratio; and 3) a
limitation on amusement machines.
A specific zoning category applies over a general category.
Thus, the following categories allowed by the Fauquier
County Zoning Ordinance would apply in lieu of a new one for
generalized activities if such activities constitute the
primary use: bowling; private clubs; theaters; pool and
billiards, amusement arcade; skating rinks; events; and
dance halls.
However, the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors
will want to consider allowing accessory activities,
including billiards and arcade machines, at such
facilities. A review of indoor sports facilities in the
Washington metropolitan area shows that they are used for
coaching and teaching, parties, and meetings. Some have
eating establishments and pro shops. Such accessory uses
were available, for example, at Hugo’s when the skating rink
was operational. It was available for parties, had accessory
game machines, and sold food and miscellaneous skating
accouterments. Similarly, Warrenton Lanes allows parties,
sells food and bowling equipment, and has accessory game
facilities. Other lanes also provide coaching.
If approved, this change would allow a wide range of
activities at indoor sports/activity centers similar to what
is allowed at fairgrounds; however, the activities would be
indoors.
This amendment also will be used to correct the spelling of
“billards” in Section 3-310.
At a work session in July 2006, the Board of Supervisors
directed County staff to prepare an appropriate text
amendment for initiation by the Planning Commission. This
proposed text amendment was initiated by the Planning
Commission on July 27, 2006. The Planning Commission
conducted a public hearing on August 31, 2006, the public
hearing was closed, and the Planning Commission continued
this matter until its next meeting. The principal reason
expressed for the continuance was so that the Planning
Commission could consider the appropriateness of allowing
indoor sports facilities in I-2 districts. On September 28,
2006, the Planning Commission conducted a work session on
the proposal. During the work session, the Planning
Commission reached consensus to eliminate I-2 Districts for
indoor sports facilities and recommend approval of the
proposed ordinance as amended. The proposed ordinance was
recommended unanimously.
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