For those in Richmond Hill who have complained about not having a fun place to take their kids without going to Savannah, Monday’s Planning and Zoning meeting may have been a breath of fresh air.
Four sites for children’s fun facilities are targeted for Richmond Hill and all of them came before the P&Z Commission Monday. If all goes according to what is planned, Richmond Hill will soon have a laser tag facility, two inflatable party facilities and an indoor batting cage.
Two years ago, developer Wayne Jackson started planning the kid-themed Jackson Court. After being stalled by land studies on flood elevation and soil and changing banks, Jackson said the project is "fixing to roll, with a ground breaking real soon."
On Monday, the P&Z Board reccomended approval for clearing land for the site.
Jackson Court, which will be located on an approximate ten-acre lot between Motel 6 and Pierceville subdivision, is slated to have a 9,000 square-foot laser tag facility, a 5,000 square-foot "Jump Town" inflatable playground and an indoor batting cage.
Jackson said the batting cage was just added to agenda in place of a planned "whirly ball" facility, which is a recreation that combines lacrosse, hockey and basketball with bumper cars. He said most of the feedback he is getting is leaning more toward the cages, so that is what most likely will go up.
Completing Jackson Court will be restaurants and shops. Jackson said two retail spaces have already been sold, which will be restaurants to be named later.
Jackson has also contemplated developing a large tract of land next to the project, owned by fellow developer Johnny Carnes.
Jackson said he may partner with Carnes, who also owns the land for Jackson Court, to develop that tract as well. Jackson said a roller rink or bowling alley are two possibilities currently being considered for the tract.
Jackson said folks can get a sneak peak of Jackson’s Court this weekend as a "24-foot long, rolling billboard" of the facility will be set up in the parking lot across the street from J.F. Gregory Park, to coincide with the happenings at the Seafood Festival.
Also at the meeting, Richmond Hill resident Stella Farinacci proposed a 6,000 square-foot inflatable recreation center, to be located near the interchange on Ford Avenue in the new Ford Park of Commerce commercial plaza.
Farinacci currently owns the Richmond Hill-based company Bouncing Angels, which rents inflatables for parties and other events. She said the projected facility will have a variety of inflatables as well as video games, a party room and a snack bar.
Prior to a reccomended zoning approval from the P&Z Commission, a public hearing was held. Two residents from nearby Blueberry subdivision voiced their concern about the potential disturbance from loud music and lighting. Farinacci assured them that neither would occur.
As with all P&Z actions, the approvals rendered are simply a recommendation to city council. Both matters will come before council on Oct. 21 for an official vote.