Council approves Claussen Road rezoning with noise and lighting conditions

The council voted to approve a plan amendment and rezoning at 15234 Claussen Road to accommodate a fitness center, gymnasium and related outdoor sport uses, adopting conditions negotiated with neighborhood representatives.

Doug Welch of the Briarwick Neighborhood Association said his group and the applicant negotiated a restrictive covenant addressing outdoor play hours, noise levels, and downward lighting; he asked to remain engaged during permitting and traffic study phases. Councilmember White moved to approve with amendments imposing compliance with the city's noise ordinance from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., a requirement that outdoor music and noise cease at 9 p.m., that business operations move indoors at 10 p.m., and that lighting be downward facing. The chair announced the motion carried.

Staff noted 12 notices were mailed for the Claussen Road property with 1 returned in favor and 0 opposed within 200 feet; outside the 200‑foot boundary there were two additional in favor and one opposed. The speaker flagged site constraints including proximity to Union Pacific Railroad tracks, riparian buffers and floodplain; staff and council added conditions intended to mitigate impacts during operation and permit review.