The approved use, designed for a location within the township’s Economic Development Zone, involved a review of the applicant’s plans. Robert McBrier, the applicant’s representative, and professional planner Jason Dunn presented the site plan, which detailed parking arrangements, operational hours, and the specific nature of the proposed activities. The board deliberated on the history of the site, the removal of outdoor storage, and the existing infrastructure. Jason Dunn addressed the board’s inquiries, explaining the parking requirements and the design waivers sought for the wide-open training area. The board discussed the history of the site and the removal of outdoor storage, as well as the existing infrastructure and the wide-open training area within the building.

During the public hearing, the applicant provided insights into their 30 years of experience in coaching gymnastics and cheerleading. They emphasized the focus on training athletes for regional and national competitions and clarified that the site is exclusively for training purposes, not for hosting competitions. The board inquired about enrollment procedures, the number of teams present on-site, and the capacity of the facility to support the intended services. In response, the applicant outlined the evaluation process for athletes and the expected number of teams. Parking adequacy was also a subject of discussion, with the board seeking assurance on the sufficiency of available parking spaces.

Further details on the facility’s operations were requested, including information on the equipment to be used, such as floors, trampolines, and a running tumble track. The board expressed interest in the transition from the current building to the new location, the number of parking spaces at the current site, and the dimensions of the parking spaces at the new location. The applicant addressed these concerns, noting the absence of strength training equipment and detailing provisions for free play for younger children.

The public comments section saw queries about the preservation of the building’s exterior, to which it was confirmed that no changes were planned. The session concluded with a motion to approve the amended preliminary and final site plan, C variants, and site plan exceptions. The motion included standard and specific conditions related to compliance with reports from the township planner and board engineer, the absence of hazardous materials on the property, maintenance and sampling of stormwater systems, Health Department reviews of the septic system, and the exclusive use of the property for instructional gymnastics and cheerleading.

In other discussions, the board addressed a proposed expansion of a building for a martial arts studio, which sought a variance for parking spaces. The plans revealed a shortfall in the required number of parking spaces and errors in site plan details such as setbacks and parking calculations. The board’s professionals raised concerns regarding stormwater management, lighting, water and septic systems, and landscaping. They also sought clarification on the use of the property’s garage doors, entrance doors, and the absence of locker rooms or changing facilities. The importance of ensuring no discharge of hazardous materials in the property’s Wellhead protection area was emphasized.

The board also engaged in discussions about the construction of EV parking spaces. The applicant was questioned about stormwater maintenance and agreed to adhere to the required maintenance procedures. Board members inquired about cleaning procedures and injury management, to which the applicant provided responses regarding their safety protocols and certifications.

The board’s agenda also included updates on potential grants to support the board’s work on ordinances and the master plan. A meeting with the Highlands Council was set to explore grant opportunities, and discussions on the zoning map, conformity of ordinance copies, and the hiring of a traffic engineer consultant were also on the table. The board considered the upcoming ordinance on parking standards and requested member input before proceeding to a vote.

Updates from the Town Council and the Environmental Commission were received, with the latter sharing information on community events and the addition of an adjunct member to the commission. The master plan subcommittee’s progress was acknowledged, and public briefings on the planned endorsement advisory committee were scheduled.

The public comments section raised the issue of the Diamond chip application’s rejection at the county level, with discussions on the implications for the board and traffic studies and parking standards for indoor recreational uses. The board attorney addressed a comment regarding potential conflict of interest in the Diamond chip application, confirming there was no conflict. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss pending litigation related to the Diamond ship realty LLC versus Sparta Township planning board and a separate case.