Arcades, others need no permits

ROGERS — Arcades, shooting ranges and other indoor entertainment venues will no longer require a permit in commercial zones of the city.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to amend the schedule of uses for commercial assembly, recreation and entertainment in the highway commercial and open display commercial districts.

Indoor and outdoor entertainment were both allowed in the zoning districts by right until changes were made to Chapter 14 of city code late last year, according to documents provided at the meeting. Skating rinks, golf courses, go-cart tracks and swimming pools still required permits, however.

Tuesday’s amendment will allow many more types of indoor entertainment businesses to exist in commercial areas without seeking the additional step of a permit, though outdoor activity would still need the permit.

The City Council must ratify the decision before it can be implemented for rodeos, amusement parks, pool halls and a wide expanse of other activities.

“This will allow multifamily and mixed-used structures in commercial and office zones,” said John McCurdy, director of community development. McCurdy gave an example of a White Oak Service Station that could have condos above the convenience store, something not be allowed under current code. Multi-family residences can now exist in commercial and residential office zones.

“It’s a no brainer,” to allow indoor event centers in mixed-use structures, McCurdy said. It fits with the goal of the Downtown Rogers Development Code, otherwise known as the downtown plan, that encourages multiuse for buildings, such as having shops on a first floor and living spaces on the second floor, he said. “That’s the type of thing we want to happen.”

Having more than one operation in a building makes efficient use of parking, McCurdy said, if the two are chosen wisely. The amendment would allow more of those projects outside the downtown area. As is, the code limits and sometimes explicitly prohibits such projects.

Commissioner Kevin Jensen suggested the commission consider adding language to the amendment for what types of establishments could exist on which floors of a structure, since the suggested change could allow for arrangements such as apartments on the first floor and offices on the second.

Commissioner Mark Myers suggested limiting multifamily residence for second story and above.

McCurdy said those establishments qualifying as commercial recreation include billiard parlors, card rooms and gun clubs. A Rogers staff report also listed theaters, sports stadiums, riding academies, dance halls, mini golf courses, tennis and racquetball courts, among several others.