Plans for Head Over Heels Gymnastics to take over the former Bounce City site in the Strongsville Plaza are moving forward.

The gym, which currently operates in 6,000 square feet at 11985 Prospect Rd., is asking the city Planning Commission for a conditional use permit to occupy 12,225 square feet at 14767 Pearl Rd. 

Co-owner Sandy Klosowski told the Planning Commission Thursday the move would allow her growing gymnastics business to offer more programs, create jobs and fill a year-old vacancy.

The location, which was previously Strongsville Cinema, has been vacant since March 2011.

Klosowski said the Strongsville High School gymnastics team and Ehrnfelt Recreation Center gymnastics programs already rent space from Head Over Heels to practice.

The commission seemed agreeable to the plan, but voted down a conditional use permit on a technicality. City code allows fitness facilities to be no larger than 5,000 square feet in a General Business district.

Now that the Planning Commission has denied the permit, the business can seek a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals, then return for plan approval.

Assistant Law Director Dan Kolick said planners will review parking at the site to get a feel for how many vehicles would enter every day and what times of day might be busiest.

Parking at the plaza has been an issue. Also on Thursday night, the commission rejected plans for a Chinese restaurant there because it could not meet the parking requirements.

Under Strongsville's code, a business the size of Head Over Heels would require 499 spaces, with 345 provided in the lot, for a deficit of 154. 

Klosowski said her facility would hold high school and other meets, but only a few times a year.