The Grove City Planning Commission voted to recommend city council approve a use approval for Kids Dig It LLC, a proposed indoor children's play facility at 3454 Grant Avenue.

City planning staff said the proposed business is “an indoor children's play facility centered around large clean climate controlled sandboxes and interactive play areas” that would cater primarily to children ages 1 to 8 and their families, and would operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The staff report said the use is not permitted under a standard SIC classification in Chapter 11.35 of the Grove City Planning and Zoning Code and therefore requires Planning Commission review and a recommendation to council under section 11.35.09.

The recommendation matters because the location is in a family-oriented area near the public library and the department concluded the indoor operation and available public parking mean the use should cause no adverse impacts on the surrounding area. The staff recommendation to forward an approval to city council was made “after viewing consideration,” the report said.

During the discussion, commissioners offered supportive remarks but asked no substantive changes. Mark Anthony “Tony” Hahn, the applicant, and Sarah King, the property owner and landlord, were present; Hahn said, “We think it'll be a good fit.”

A motion was made to recommend approval to city council; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote with Chair Oster, Mr. Farnsworth, Mr. Titus, Mr. Roach and Ms. Wemmlinger voting yes (5–0). The recommendation moves the application to city council for final action.

Details provided to the commission indicate the facility will offer both open play sessions and structured events such as sensory-friendly play sessions, birthday parties and parent–child workshops. Proposed hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. The staff report and applicant materials indicated the facility will target children ages 1–8.

The commission did not attach additional conditions beyond the recommendation for council review. The council will consider the use approval at a future meeting; no date for council consideration was specified at the Planning Commission meeting.

Less-critical meeting housekeeping: the commission accepted prior meeting minutes earlier in the session and adjourned after the second agenda item.