Woodbury Council Approves Chuck E. Cheese Plan

The Woodbury City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved the site and building plan for Chuck E. Cheese’s.

Plans call for a new 14,260-square-foot structure north of SuperTarget at the Commerce Hill site, where a retail building is nearly complete and a new McDonald’s is set to open this summer.

Much of the council discussion Wednesday focused on how the business would be categorized. Councilwoman Julie Ohs asked why staff opted to classify it as commercial recreation rather than a restaurant.

“It’s more like a bowling alley,” said Community Development Director Dwight Picha, adding later: “The principle use is entertainment.”

The designation impacts parking requirements for the space, and about 160 stalls are planned at the site, which is in line with what company officials say are needed at other Chuck E. Cheese’s, Picha said.

The council passed the measure 4-0, with Councilman Christopher Burns absent. He told Patch was in favor of the proposal.

“I have spent many birthday parties and similar events at Chuck E. Cheese restaurants and, while it’s not my favorite pizza, I nevertheless think it’s fun for kids,” Burns said.

He also said it could become more of a destination for youngsters than Lookout Ridge, which the council is scheduled to re-examine soon.

“I could see this changing our calculus about the viability of Lookout Ridge and perhaps the city will choose to let the private sector provide this opportunity for Woodbury youth instead of the city doing so,” Burns said.

The exterior of the new Chuck E. Cheese’s will look similar to SuperTarget, Picha said.