City commission rejects fitness center plan!

City commission rejects fitness center plan!

A downtown Naperville storefront that has been vacant for two years might remain empty awhile longer.

The Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission recently rejected a plan to put a fitness studio at 144 W. Jefferson Ave. because such businesses are not allowed on the first floor in that area. However, the Naperville City Council will have the final say.City commission rejects fitness center plan!

Owners of Pure Barre have proposed opening a studio in the area that once housed Wolf Camera. The studio would include space up front near the window to sell athletic gear.

Founded in 2001, Pure Barre combines Pilates and ballet bar exercises and has about 140 locations in 36 states, according to Chris Dalton, director of real estate.

For most of downtown, however, “general service” uses like fitness studios and offices are relegated to the second floor, according to Clint Smith, a community planner for Naperville. But city staff recommended allowing the studio with a few conditions, “given the location on the edge of downtown, the limited traffic it would draw with no commercial to the west,” Smith said.

Dalton told the commission retail is a growing part of the business and he would expect the Naperville location would do about $250,000 in retail sales per year, the same amount of revenue he expects from workouts. He also said the presence of Pure Barre would help other retailers.

“As women come three to four times a week and experience our workout, they’re also going to buy our clothes,” he said. “Not only are they going to buy our clothes, they’re going to buy merchandise at other retailers nearby.”

But the plan received pushback from owners of similar fitness studios in Naperville who are operating out of second-floor locations.

“I had to abide by those rules when I opened my studio six years ago,” said Colleen Patrino, owner of a Dailey Method studio. “To change the rules in this situation could cause problems. It gives Pure Barre an advantage not afforded to others.”

Steve Rubin, whose family owns the building where Pure Barre hopes to open, said he believes it would be “a good addition to the mix for that building.” He said other options include sandwich shops and ice cream shops.

“Personally I don’t think we need more of those,” Rubin said. “We don’t need more bars either.”

Several commissioners said they were torn between wanting to see a business open in the storefront and whether there was enough of a hardship to justify a variance to the zoning code.

Commissioner Kevin Coyne wanted measures put in place to make sure retail made up a significant portion of the business.

“I like the idea of taking a vacant retail spot and making it productive,” Coyne said. “I like the idea of bringing in wealthy people who are downtown that are going to be shopping. … What I don’t like is the risk of getting this approved only to find out it is in fact a studio.”

Coyne ultimately voted against the plan, as did Commissioner Greg Bruno.

“I just don’t see the hardship and the compelling reason to allow this when others who have looked at our code won’t even attempt to put a fitness center on the first floor because it’s not allowed,” Bruno said.

Commissioner Robert Williams agreed.

“You’re on the edge of the downtown district, so what?” he said. “California is on the edge of the United States, and last I heard they were still in good standing.”City commission rejects fitness center plan!

But the plan did receive support from Commissioner Tim Messer, who said he did not see it as a detriment to the area. Commissioner Sean Hastings also gave his approval.

“I think this brand in particular or brands similar to this ultimately are going to drive more traffic to downtown and for the barre industry as a whole,” he said.

The commission rejected the plan with a 6-3 vote. It will now go to the City Council for discussion.