The Blaine City Council unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing Thumos Fitness to open a new location in an industrial area on 91st Avenue Northeast.
Thumos’ website describes the business as a place where “faith and fitness are forged.” In addition to fitness equipment and classes, the center includes a smoothie bar and hosts Bible study groups.
Community Development Director Sheila Sellman said the site is zoned light industrial, consistent with properties to the north and west. Properties to the east and south are zoned heavy industrial.
Sellman said the building is currently occupied by warehouse and manufacturing tenants. The applicant is proposing to lease 5,400 square feet of the 45,000-square-foot building.
The space would be used as a fitness center with small-group Bible study, Sellman said. Proposed hours are 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
Sellman said the property could accommodate 94 striped parking stalls. All uses in the building require a total of 78 stalls, meaning parking requirements are met, though the lot must be striped by June 1.
Applicant Cam Krugerud told the council the business operates several locations in Anoka County, including in Blaine and Ham Lake. He said he has worked closely with the landlord and described the space as a good fit.
Council Member Tom Newland noted that fitness centers have increasingly located in industrial parks in Blaine and asked how many such facilities operate in those areas. Sellman said she did not have an exact count but estimated there were several.
“It seems to be a trend, just because the space is conducive for that type of use,” Sellman said. “They need open space, and we’ll probably continue to see it, especially as our parks age and don’t require the ceiling heights some industrial users need.”