Woodstock zoning board OKs variance for proposed gymnastics studio

A Woodstock woman plans to open a gymnastics studio in Woodstock.

The city’s Zoning Board of Appeals discussed the plan Monday. Amy Krotser is seeking to open a gymnastics business at 960 Dieckman St., located off Route 47 across the street from Woodstock Harley-Davidson, according to city documents.

Krotser became interested in the property in June but needed a variance on the required parking, according to city documents.

The shared parking lot on the property has 28 parking spaces. The required amount for the studio business would typically be 52, according to city documents.

The property contains a 21,000 square-foot industrial building and parking area in Woodstock’s light manufacturing district. The gymnastics studio is an allowed use in the district, according to city documents.

The building is separated into two units with a common wall. The proposed gymnastics studio would be 10,400 square feet, which would include offices and the warehouse space, according to city documents.

The owner of the property, Michael Skala, of SMDMF LLC - 960, runs the business in the other unit and has agreed to share his portion of the parking lot with the proposed studio on weekends and after 5 p.m., according to city documents.

The number of spaces allocated to the proposed gymnastics studio side of the building is 12, according to city documents.

“The petitioner has stated that she will limit the number of occupants and hours of operation at the gymnastics studio such that the available parking spaces will be sufficient for the business,” City Planner Darrell Moore wrote in a note to the board.

The Zoning Board unanimously voted to give a positive recommendation on the request. The board is advisory and City Council must give ultimate approval.

Krotser formerly was with Huntley Unlimited Gymnastics, LLC. She sued the company in 2012, and alleged owner Lee Battaglia had repeatedly sexually harassed her and then fired her after she rejected his advances, according to court records.

Krotser also alleged that the company violated the Equal Pay Act by paying her less than her male colleagues, according to court records.

The case was ultimately dismissed in 2014 for want of prosecution after Krotser missed a court date, according to court documents. The missed court date came after Krotser fired her legal team, according to court records.