Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
The latest Planet Fitness franchise is located on Cross Bay Boulevard near 160th Avenue.
By Michael V. Cusenza
The new Planet Fitness gym opened its well-toned arms this week: welcoming members, signing prospective clients, and wowing guests at the franchisor’s latest outpost on Cross Bay Boulevard between 160th and 161st avenues, even as some community leaders have raised concerns regarding the shape of the establishment’s operating permits.
The Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic on Sunday posted to its Facebook page photos of Planet Fitness adorned with banners announcing that the gym is open for business.
“Please be advised that this business is opening without any of the permit sign-offs from the Buildings Department, Fire Department, Board of Standards and Appeals and the Community Board’s approval,” the group wrote in an FB post. “That means that their sprinkler, fire alarm, and plumbing permits have not been approved yet. If they do open tomorrow, it will be without a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy from the Department of Buildings. All of these permits are required for MEMBERSHIP SAFETY.
“Why does Planet Fitness Howard Beach think they can operate outside the law!?
“Yes we encourage business along Crossbay, but we DO NOT encourage any entity that does not put the safety of others first.”
The franchisee group that runs this and many other Planet Fitness gyms throughout the five boroughs flatly denied the claim.
“Everything is in place; everything passes inspection. You have to go through this process. We’ve done it almost 50 times already,” said Jeff Innocenti, CEO of PFNY, which currently operates more than 40 Planet Fitness franchises in the Big Apple.
Seemingly at issue is the establishment’s lack of a permit to allow the operation of a Physical Culture Establishment, which is issued by the City Board of Standards and Appeals. Innocenti acknowledged that PFNY has applied for the PCE permit and that the process can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months to be resolved.
“We’ve never had BSA approval declined,” he added.
The HBL Civic noted that the “Community Board 10 public hearing regarding this permit will take place on Feb. 7. Generally, the BSA will not render a decision on the permit application until AFTER the Community Board votes on this issue.”
Meanwhile, Innocenti indicated that, as his group has done countless times in the past while waiting for PCE approval, he can open the gym to its new community.
“We respect our community—they’re our members,” he said. “We really like working with the community. If the community has issues, if the BSA has issues, we always work it out.”
The social media posts garnered dozens of comments, including some from skeptical area residents wondering if the questions surrounding the status of Planet Fitness’ permits were the product of area businesses that would be in direct competition with PF.
“Someone must have their own agenda against Planet Fitness,” one commenter wrote.
