An Orangetheory Fitness studio will set up shop at the Plaza De La Cañada Shopping Center.
The studio, offering what Orangetheory describes on its website as a “science-backed, technology-tracked, coach-inspired group workout to produce results from the inside out,” received the go-ahead at a recent La Cañada Flintridge Planning Commission meeting.
More than 1,100 Orangetheory studios have opened in 49 states and 22 countries, according to the company’s website.
A minor conditional use permit was approved Thursday, July 11, on a 5-0 vote, said city senior management analyst Lisa Brancheau. The permit allows the studio to open in a 2,047 square-foot space in an existing building at 639 Foothill Blvd., near Gelson’s Market and Rite-Aid.
Gary Hirsch, who owns the Orangetheory studio that will open in LCF as well as a location in Pasadena, said he was pleased with the result.
“We are excited to get it going,” said Hirsch, adding that he hopes the facility will open before the end of the year.
Commissioners discussed the site’s parking, said project planner Harriet Harris.
There are 357 regular parking spaces and 10 spaces that comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act for a total of 367 at the site, according to a city statement.
Most of the shopping center’s parking is in front of the stores but there is substantial parking behind the stores at the north end of the lot and a smaller parking area along Rinetti Lane, the city statement said.
Hirsch noted that parking seemed to be the biggest issue but said that no Orangetheory classes will be going on during peak parking times.
“We have real busy morning classes at 5 a.m., 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., and it shouldn’t be an issue then, period,” he said. He acknowledged that evening classes could affect parking for “a couple of hours,” but said Orangetheory patrons will be instructed to use parking behind the building.
“We’ll be instructing members from
Day 1,” Hirsch said. “There’s just a ton of parking that remains open” in the back area.
Because a single fitness class could accommodate up to 24 students, the city asked the business to conduct a parking study. An analysis from the applicant’s engineers determined the shopping center’s existing on-site parking supply of 367 spaces will accommodate the forecast future weekday and weekend peak parking demands.
Under the resolution’s conditions of approval, the class size will be limited to 20 participants. The resolution states that fitness center employees will park in the north parking lot adjacent to the 210 Freeway and the facility will encourage patrons to also park in the north lot. After six months of operation, the city’s director of community development will review compliance with the parking conditions.
The proposed hours of operation are from 5 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends.
Previously, the property was occupied by Zeli Coffee Bar and a portion of a defunct exercise studio. A minor conditional use permit was approved in April to establish a Pilates studio at nearby 637 Foothill Blvd., according to a city statement.
For more information on Orangetheory Fitness, visit orangetheoryfitness.com.
