The operators of a self-described “family entertainment center” called the Outer Limits Fun Zone, located at 105 Florida Street, have asked City of Bainbridge officials for permission to stay open later at night for special occasions.

Businessman Tom Mills, who is partners in Outer Limits with Darla Haire, spoke before the Bainbridge City Council on Tuesday.

Outer Limits is currently located in the Central Business District zone, in what was formerly a hardware store and floral shop. When the City Council approved a conditional use permit for the center to operate in its current zoning, the council stipulated that the center had to close no later than 10 p.m. each night, out of regard for nearby residences.

Mills said he would like to get the city government’s permission to do two things: hold occasional “lock-in” events during which kids would stay inside the center from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. the next day; and to be able to stay open until 2 a.m. on certain weekend nights to hold special events such as birthday or graduation parties. In the latter scenario, no one would be allowed to enter after 10 p.m., according to Mills.

City Manager Chris Hobby said the city had received at least one complaint from one of the center’s neighbors about the center generating noise and traffic late at night. However, Mills said he believed those complaints were limited and pointed out that the center’s entry/exit point faced toward the Courthouse, in the opposite direction of surrounding residences.

Ultimately, Mayor Edward Reynolds told Mills that he would have to place his requests on the Bainbridge Planning Commission agenda, which reviews zoning requests and variances and recommends final actions by the City Council.

The Planning Commission will consider the requests at its meeting on Tuesday, July 10 at 6 p.m. at the Potter Street Community Center. The City Council will hold a final hearing at its July 18 meeting.

 

Council adopts budget calendar

The council also adopted a calendar for preparation and consideration of the city’s budget for its 2013 Fiscal Year, which begins on Oct. 1. Each of the four city divisions’ budgets will be submitted to City Manager Chris Hobby, who will review and prepare a draft budget, with the help of City Hall staff, during late July and August. On August 28, Hobby will present an overview of the proposed budget during a special, called council meeting. A budget introduction and first public hearing will be held at the council’s September 4 meeting, and then the council will hold another public hearing and consider the budget’s final adoption on September 18.