HomeMy WebLinkAboutRE_ 163 3rd Ave S (2)
Bruce Castleton
From:Shawnee Powers <floatmagicvalley@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, May 10, 2024 9:19 AM
To:Lisa Strickland
Subject:Re: 163 3rd Ave S
Attachments:Letter to commisioners for SUP on letterhead.docx; Documentation from
Observers.docx
\[EXTERNAL SENDER\]
Good Morning,
Thank you for the information. I am going to attach my statements and documentation to this email and
will also attempt to upload it to the link provided.
I will plan to prepare a shorter statement for Tuesday evenings hearing.
Thank you for your assistance and clarification on this process. I appreciate the guidance.
Shawnee
On Thu, May 9, 2024 at 2:04 PM Lisa Strickland <LStrickland@tfid.org> wrote:
Shawnee,
The sooner you have this information submitted the better, you can either use this
link and submit via the city public comment page, you can drop something off her at
my office, or you can send your comments to me via email. In order for it to become
part of the agenda packet for the commissioners to read ahead of time you will need
to have them to me no later than 10am tomorrow May 10, 2024. You can also speak
at the meeting if you choose and you are correct you will have 2 minutes to speak
and the applicant will be given the opportunity to address any comments made during
the public hearing.
Thank you,
Lisa
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From: Shawnee Powers <floatmagicvalley@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 9, 2024 9:29 AM
To: Lisa Strickland <LStrickland@tfid.org>
Subject: Re: 163 3rd Ave S
\[EXTERNAL SENDER\]
Good Morning,
I wanted to be sure I was clear on understanding when any testimony or written information should be
submitted from me for consideration in the hearing. I have some statements prepared that outline most
of what you and I have discussed regarding this SUP, but there have been a few other items that should
be included with discovery and conversation with architectural and engineering discussions.
I also wanted to clarify that I have 2 minutes to speak? I have some written testimony covering
observation of impact from clients and employees when we did the drop testing earlier this week.
Should I include those as well?
Shawnee
On Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 2:08 PM Lisa Strickland <LStrickland@tfid.org> wrote:
Shawnee,
Yes should you decide to appeal you are responsible for sending letters and posting
the public notice sign for the hearing.
During this process there will be activities in the building, they are allowed to do
cosmetic things inside the building but have been told that is at their own risk should
the special use permit not get approved. She has told me more items will be
delivered to the site and she will be painting and installing new flooring, as well as
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getting wi-fi installed. As I said before, there will be some disturbances but I have
made it clear they cannot operate as a gym in the building until all of the permits
have been approved.
As for your rights we do not have any regulations related to construction
disturbances but if it does get out of hand you can report a nuisance to the police
department. We are going to have to be patient, should the appeal period pass and
the special use permit is approved with conditions that are not followed or
implemented without success, you can request that the Planning & Zoning
Commission consider revocation of the Special Use Permit.
This requires staff to bring the request to the Commission to get direction on
whether or not they want to take another look and if there is enough information to
proceed with the revocation process.
We will continue to work with the applicant regarding your concerns, however the
final decision to approve, deny or condition the special use permit is left in the hands
of the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Lisa
From: Shawnee Powers <floatmagicvalley@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 11:19 AM
To: Lisa Strickland <LStrickland@tfid.org>
Subject: Re: 163 3rd Ave S
\[EXTERNAL SENDER\]
Good Morning,
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I greatly appreciate that update and information. I will be sure to follow the process to get my concerns
addressed. A question I have; is it my responsibility to post the public notice signs and mail public
notice letters or just to submit the application for the process?
To document the moving and construction being done on the building we have not heard much of that
process. Unfortunately it is the "normal type of activity occurring at the gym" that has created
disturbances. It's very apparent when they are dropping weights as we can pinpoint exactly when the
weights are dropped. This happened last Tuesday afternoon and again Friday morning and early
afternoon. We did hear some banging and vibrations this morning as well, but they were more
intermittent. I would gladly invite the architect involved to come over to our building while they are
dropping weights so they can be aware of the impact. I did invite Becky over to witness it as well, but
they have not come over during weight lifting to assess. I do have documented texts where it was
confirmed they were lifting weights when it caused us concern and when I walked over to the building
there were two individuals present lifting and dropping weights. Becky did state they would be racking
weights and not dropping as often, but I am not sure that will resolve all of the issues if they ever
choose to drop weights in the future.
I have and will continue to address these concerns with the owners as I am being very transparent with
them in this process and voicing my concerns. During the permitting process, what rights do I have to
protect our clients from the disturbances that are created while they are weight lifting? I understand we
are going to have to be patient during construction, but as I stated above, that has been less disruptive
than the actual activity of lifting weights that they are currently engaging in and will be conducting on a
regular basis after their business is in operation.
Again, I greatly appreciate your communication concerning this special use permit.
Gratefully,
Shawnee
On Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 7:52 AM Lisa Strickland <LStrickland@tfid.org> wrote:
Shawnee,
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We had a meeting yesterday with Becky Chambers regarding her request for the
special use permit for the CrossFit gym. We explained to her that the application is
under review and that we will be scheduling the request for the May 14, 2024
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting. We spoke with her regarding the noise and
vibrations that occurred last week and that you are concerned with the impacts this
may have on your business. She explained that they were moving equipment in and
that would not be the normal type of activity occurring at the gym. She does have
more equipment being delivered this Thursday so it may be disruptive again later
this week. I explained she should contact you to help her understand your concerns.
I have also reached out to the architect Becky has been working with and explained
the concerns and asked that she discuss options for noise and vibration reduction.
In my discussions with the architect I asked that she get a detailed description of
the business plan, classes, times, number of participants, types of exercises that will
be performed and where in the building different types of equipment will be used
and where classes will be given.
There are things she will need to do to get up and running that require her to
submit for a building permit. The requirements of the building permit will need to be
complete and final approved for her to get an occupancy permit for the space and
begin running her business. This will also take some time as she has to provide an
ADA bathroom and she will need to repair sidewalks and several other things to
bring the building up to code. While this is underway there will most likely be a
disturbance to your business as you mentioned when the other near by building was
being remodeled. I suspect this entire process is going to be quite a lengthy process
and we may not know until all of this is completed how the day to day operations of
the gym will impact your business.
During the public hearing you will have the opportunity to voice your concerns and
the commission will be able to take those into account when making their decision.
Should they approve the request you will have 15 days from that date to submit for
an appeal to City Council. The appeal process require you to submit an application,
post public notice signs, mail public notice letters and be scheduled for a public
hearing in front of Council.
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I realize this may or may not be helpful information but I hope it offers some clarity.
Lisa Strickland
City Planner
From: Shawnee Powers <floatmagicvalley@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, April 8, 2024 9:36 AM
To: Lisa Strickland <LStrickland@tfid.org>
Subject: Re: 163 3rd Ave S
\[EXTERNAL SENDER\]
Thank you for letting me know. To document one other concern I addressed with them directly and
didn’t outline in my email is how many of their workouts they may take outside in their future parking
lot. I’ve been told by individuals familiar with CrossFit that outside workouts are a common
occurrence, specifically tire challenges. If that does occur, it’s increasing the chance for noise
disruptions and vibrations. I’m hoping there will be some parameters to what they can and can’t do
outside along with taking measures to absorb shock from the dropping of weights. The owners have
stated to me the only thing they will be doing outside is running around the block. I can’t imagine this
would cause much disturbance as long as they are not running in packs of large numbers and avoid
the alley, which they stated they would be avoiding.
I’m open to working with the owners and I have voiced these concerns to them and they have been
receptive. I have also invited them into my building for sound checks, they tested for music, but they
haven’t come over during weight drops to assess. They have stated they will be racking weights, which
should help significantly . As long as no one is dropping weights, vibration should be mitigated. My
intent in sharing this information is to be sure it is documented appropriately through this process.
I appreciate your time and attention to my concerns. I’ll watch for your communication after you
meet.
Gratefully,
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Shawnee
Shawnee Powers, Owner
-Float Magic-
office: 208-933-2620
cell: 208-241-1837
www.floatmagicvalley.com
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office
prevented automatic download of this picture
from the Internet.
On Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 8:23 AM Lisa Strickland <LStrickland@tfid.org> wrote:
Shawnee,
I wanted to let you know that I have a meeting scheduled today with the special
use permit applicant for the crossfit gym. We will be discussing the concerns you
have raised and I will follow up with you afterwards.
Lisa
From: Shawnee Powers <floatmagicvalley@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2024 1:17 PM
To: Lisa Strickland <LStrickland@tfid.org>
Cc: Will Klaver <wklaver@tfid.org>
Subject: 163 3rd Ave S
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\[EXTERNAL SENDER\]
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for reaching out to me on the building behind ours and the request for a special use permit
to allow a CrossFit Gym. I have had conversations with the owners and instructors on some of the
concerns we have and want to let you know they have been open to these conversations and have
exhibited understanding on what we are trying to protect.
I am also trying to do my due diligence on making sure my concerns are understood and documented
through the permitting process, thus my reach out to you. My biggest concern is the noise pollution,
vibration and disruption it would bring to our business. We have floatation suites that we have
invested a lot of money and structure in to provide an environment that allows for limited stimulation
to come in. This is an extreme benefit to the autonomic nervous system in helping individuals with
stress, anxiety, pain, inflammation, autoimmune disorders and so much more. We took measures to
combat sound and vibration to allow for this sensory deprived experience. Unfortunately, when heavy
weight is dropped it is very difficult to combat against that and today as they are dropping heavy
weights onto the structure they have, it shakes our entire building. I wanted to test our float suites to
see if the sound would carry and it most definitely did, I could tell anytime they dropped their weights
and it was as if they were dropping right outside our building. I have also had clients state today they
can hear the activity over there during their floats and it's been disruptive. We successfully lived
through the tear down and building of the apartment complex across the street and even though at
times that was disruptive, mainly during digging and tear down, it did not cause the same level of
vibration that we are experiencing now.
I am not sure what my rights are to protect my business and the time and money I have invested. I
own my property and when looking for a place to build, I sought after something that was free of the
elements that would adversely affect the services we provide. Understanding I can't control what
other businesses do in their own buildings, gyms in close proximity to float businesses have generally
been devastating, forcing many centers to close. I am writing to you both so you are aware of our
concerns and happy to have conversations to work toward resolution. Even as I sit in my office and
type this we are hearing the boom of the weights dropping.
At this point I am trying to rack my brain of a viable solution and with the extreme concussive force
that CrossFit and powerlifting exudes, there is just no way I can combat it. Any direction or help you
can offer would be much appreciated.
Best,
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Shawnee
--
Shawnee Powers, Owner
-Float Magic-
office: 208-933-2620
cell: 208-241-1837
www.floatmagicvalley.com
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office
prevented automatic download of this picture
from the Internet.
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