The Woodbury Planning Commission approved conditional use permits for two major commercial projects during its October 20 meeting, sending both proposals to the City Council for final consideration.

The commission unanimously approved plans for Huntington National Bank to construct a new 5,000-square-foot branch with drive-thru service at 525 Commons Drive. The project, submitted by Allegro Civil Engineers, will replace an existing building at the southeast corner of Hudson Road and Commons Drive. The new facility will feature 93% class one materials including brick and large windows, significantly exceeding the city's 65% requirement for commercial buildings.

In a separate unanimous vote, commissioners approved Champions Hall I94's proposal to convert 238,000 square feet of an existing warehouse into a commercial recreation facility at 11435 Hudson Road. The soccer, volleyball and lacrosse complex represents an $8 million investment by applicant Lu Costadino, who operates Cover Coaching and cited strong demand for indoor sports facilities on Woodbury's east side. The project will require exposed roof trusses to remove interior columns and create open playing areas.

Both projects include specific conditions for landscaping, lighting and operational requirements. The bank project will add a pedestrian trail along Commons Drive, while the sports facility will utilize existing parking designed for the vacant 475,000-square-foot warehouse building. Planning commissioners added requirements for evergreen shrubs to screen headlights at the bank site and color coordination for the exposed trusses at the sports facility.

The City Council will hold public hearings on both projects during its October 22 meeting. If approved, construction could begin following final permit approvals and staff review of detailed plans.