A chess school that says it has taught classes and camps in Pleasanton for several years, most recently from a Valley Business Park suite, wants room to run tournaments, and Pleasanton's Planning Commission is set to decide the request on Wednesday.
King's Land Chess, a U.S. Chess Federation affiliate founded in 2012, is seeking a conditional use permit to expand from Suite 101 at 1024 Serpentine Lane into Suites 116 and 118, all in the same single-story building. The three suites total about 4,554 square feet.
City planning staff recommends approval, and the item sits on the commission's consent calendar, meaning it can be approved without discussion unless a commissioner or member of the public asks to pull it.
What the club plans
According to the business's application, Suite 101 would stay its home for weekly classes and seasonal camps, while the two added suites would be used mostly for officially rated tournaments, about one a week, for an estimated 52 a year. Some would be scholastic events for young players and others open tournaments that adults can enter.
A typical tournament would draw roughly 60 to 80 players and be run by a chief tournament director, one or two section directors and one or two assistants.
The permit would set these limits:
- Weekdays: 6 to 9 p.m., with no more than 60 people on site at once, staff included.
- Weekends and holidays: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a cap of 80 people. Tournaments would be held only on weekends and holidays.
Parking and noise
The 15,541-square-foot building shares 60 parking spaces among its tenants. Staff concluded that would be enough, noting that many players are 5 to 15 years old and are typically dropped off and picked up, and that most neighboring office and dental tenants close by early evening. The staff report notes some overlap with a temple in Suite 112 that holds evening and weekend hours.
