A virtual reality arcade could be coming to downtown Carson City depending on how planning commissioners evaluate a request for a special use permit at their meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the community center. The applicant, Carson-based System’s Edge LLC, is asking for a special use permit to establish the arcade in a 2,110-square-foot suite in an existing office and retail building at 1087 S. Carson St. The property is zoned downtown mixed-use and, per city code, requires a special use permit for an amusement arcade. According to a project description in the permit application, the virtual reality arcade would serve as a gathering place for teens and young adults. “The location has eight virtual reality stations contained within cubicles available for use, along with a dedicated area on the second floor with couches and coffee tables, used for socializing and studying,” the description reads. The applicant expects occupancy to be 10-30 people. “Customers will have seating while waiting for their turn or watching others use the virtual reality stations, and each station has built-in headphones that isolate sound to the person using the station.” says the project description. City planners found the proposal consistent with the city’s master plan, noting no adverse effects on traffic or public services. According to the permit application, the property is owned by Copper Tree LLC of Santa Monica, Calif. Planning commissioners will also consider a special use permit for Jay Demarco, who is seeking to make a residential property off Van Epps Drive into an in-home childcare business. Conditions of approval for the proposal would require appropriate state and local licensing and a limit of 12 children for the facility. “CCMC allows for childcare uses to serve up to 12 children within a single-family residence,” Heather Manzo, associate planner, wrote in her staff report. “The residential character of the property will not be modified, and the property owner will operate the business. The site is developed and will not require any new services or facilities and there is capacity in the roadway network to accommodate the use.” To read the planning commission’s full agenda, visit https://www.carson.org/home/showpublisheddocument/81655
