Childcare center proposal sparks zoning debate in community

In a recent government meeting, the proposal for a conditional use permit for a new school-child daycare center was discussed. The applicants, Ryan Yacari and Sarita Penn, are seeking to establish the Pathways to Destiny and Child Care Center LLC at 1371 Bryce Road, located in the Bryce and Main Street District.

The proposed facility will occupy an existing 1,653 square foot structure on a 0.93-acre site, which includes a 4,500 square foot parking lot. The center aims to provide early childhood education infused with Christian values, featuring activities such as prayer, storytelling, arts and crafts, and organized games. Operating hours are set for Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6 PM, with a maximum staffing of four employees.

A key point of discussion was the classification of the facility. The proposed use is categorized as a school-child daycare center, which is recognized as a conditional use in the district's zoning code. In contrast, a standard child daycare center is not permitted in this zoning area. This distinction is crucial for the approval of the conditional use permit.

The board noted that while the zoning code does not specify parking requirements for school-child daycare centers, it will apply the off-street parking requirements for child daycare centers, necessitating a total of 14 parking spaces—10 for visitors and 4 for employees. Currently, the site has only 10 parking spaces available.

Additionally, the proposal must comply with Ohio Revised Code requirements, which stipulate that daycare centers must provide 60 square feet of usable space per child at any given time. The meeting underscored the importance of adhering to zoning regulations and state requirements as the applicants move forward with their plans.