Zachary City Council backs new entertainment complex

ZACHARY — The Zachary City Council unanimously approved a rezoning request on Tuesday to allow construction of an entertainment complex in the old Kmart building in the 2300 block of Main Street.

The proposed new entertainment venue would include bumper cars, an arcade, bowling lanes, laser tag, and activities for younger children, according to developer David Beauregard of Creative Entertainment Concepts, of Indianapolis, Ind.

The complex would also have a sports bar.

Councilman Tommy Womack expressed concern during the public hearing on the rezoning request over increased traffic in the area and asked if the company could do a traffic survey.

The study would cost $12,000 and set back the project, Beauregard said. Developers are hoping to begin construction within four months, he said.

“I think it would be an error to do anything to set back this project,” Councilman John Coghlan said. “They are taking an idle building and making it into something.”

Mayor David Amrhein also said he favors doing something with the property.

“That building has been an eyesore for a long time and they have also agreed to improve the parking lot, which is a mess,” Amrhein said.

The mayor said he is confident that the state Department of Transportation and Development would be cooperative in working out traffic solutions around the development.

“A traffic circle would be good because that really slows down the cars,” Amrhein said.

Local resident Judy White stated that she was in favor of the project, but not the sports bar.

“It’s too close to a church, a family pizza place and a grocery store,” she said.

The property was measured at 501 feet from the church, which was well within the 300 feet required between a church and an establishment selling alcohol, the mayor said.

Other items before the council included:

BID AWARD: The council voted unanimously to approve the low bid of Greenbriar Digging Services, of Brookhaven, Miss., for $134,250 for a two-part project to run a water line from the city’s system to the site of a proposed YMCA facility in the Americana commercial-residential development on Mount Pleasant Road. The state Department of Health and Hospitals still must approve the permit for the line before the project can begin.

LAWSUIT: The council met in a closed executive session to discuss possible litigation against the city by Zachary Housing Partners LLC.

On April 24, the council voted to block the plans to build a three-story, 156-unit apartment complex off McHugh Road south of Lane Regional Medical Center.

During that meeting, opponents expressed concerns about drainage and increased traffic to the area.

The council took no action on the matter.