Fitness Center Plan for Ethan Allen Store to Be Reviewed

A plan to turn the former Ethan Allen store at  into a full-service gym will go before the Planning commission Thursday.

Bryan McIntosh, owner of Dynamic Fitness, 14415 Pearl Rd., is seeking to open a fitness center in the vacant furniture store.

Attorney Nick Catanzarite said the 15,000-square-foot facility would offer memberships at "a low monthly rate" for use of exercise equipment and free weights. 

It would also offer classes, personal training and tanning, he said.

The Board of Zoning Appeals has on the project. 

City zoning code sets a maximum size of 5,000 square feet on fitness centers. The Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4-0 to grant a variance of 10,311 square feet to allow Dynamic Fitness to use the Ethan Allen building, which has been vacant for more than a year.

The project still needs a conditional use permit to operate in a zoning district that does not specifically allow fitness centers.

Catanzarite said McIntosh plans to leave his current location, behind Taco Bell on Pearl Road, when his lease expires in February. Currently he offers classes and personal training.

He said the gym will differ from others because it will offer affordable short-term memberships instead of requiring long-term commitments.