Council approves Dayton Juniors indoor volleyball facility despite neighbor stormwater and parking concerns

City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 8-22 on April 18, approving a zoning map amendment and preliminary Planned Unit Development (PUD) for an indoor volleyball facility proposed by Dayton Juniors at 860 Yellow Springs–Fairfield Road. The facility is described in staff materials as roughly 30,000 square feet with a mezzanine level, youth programs and adult leagues, and a schedule centered on evenings and weekend tournaments. Council voted 5–1 to adopt the ordinance; Councilwoman Tana Stanton cast the sole dissenting vote.

City Planner Kathleen Riggs told Council the site plan includes two stormwater ponds, a drainage channel on the west side that will be cleaned, and an initial parking layout of about 150 spaces that the applicant later said could expand to roughly 204 spaces after final surveying. Riggs reiterated that a final stormwater plan must meet codified city and regional standards and that staff will review and approve final civil engineering plans, including a required safe pathway for any off-site or overflow parking. “We will make sure staff will adhere to this stormwater plan,” Riggs said.

Neighbors raised concerns at the public hearing about existing flooding, traffic at the proposed entrance near Spangler Road, and overflow parking on nearby residential streets. Vern Schaffer, co-owner of Glaw Awning and Tent Company, described recurring local flooding and told Council he worried that tournament traffic would overflow onto Zapata Drive and block access to neighboring businesses. “Where are they going to go? Right across their property,” he said, urging clearer liability and mitigation measures.

Representatives for the applicant said additional engineering work is planned. Jamie Blair of EL Robinson Engineering said further geotechnical investigation, final survey work and (if requested) a traffic study would define mitigation and any additional parking capacity; Jennifer Bell, a Dayton Juniors board member, said the most recent plans show 204 on-site spaces and that the organization is willing to work with neighbors. Planning Board had recommended approval with conditions including a shared parking agreement, addition of a fire hydrant, and recording the final plat with Greene County.

Council discussion focused on the timing and limits of Council review: Council approved rezoning and PUD plan adoption but staff clarified that the final stormwater and engineering approvals are reviewed administratively and must comply with city standards before construction. Council members said they expect continued coordination among Dayton Juniors, adjacent property owners and city staff as final plans are completed.