Green River Council approves special use permit for Little Rascals Childcare Center

The City Council of Green River, Wyoming, convened on April 15, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including a public hearing regarding a special use permit for a local childcare center and a discussion on a significant change order for the wastewater treatment plant.

The meeting began with a public hearing concerning a request from Little Rascals Childcare Center, owned by Jennifer and Cody Cole, for a special use permit to expand their operations at 595 Bramwell Street. Currently, the facility operates as a family childcare center, licensed for up to 15 children. The proposed change would allow the center to care for up to 31 children, aligning with state licensing requirements.

Rob Fisher, the planning and zoning administrator, outlined the criteria for approving the special use permit, which includes ensuring public health and safety, not injuring property values, maintaining harmony with the surrounding area, and conforming to the city’s master plan. The Planning and Zoning Commission had previously recommended approval of the permit, with stipulations aimed at minimizing traffic congestion and noise.

During the public hearing, community members were invited to express their views. Concerns were raised regarding the facility's capacity and safety, particularly from a resident who questioned whether the building could adequately accommodate the increased number of children. In response, the applicants provided assurances that the facility had been upgraded to meet safety standards and that they had received the necessary approvals from state authorities.

Following the public hearing, the council moved to consider a resolution to approve the special use permit. Councilman Berg proposed the motion, which was seconded by Councilwoman Bushman. After a brief discussion, the council unanimously approved the resolution, allowing Little Rascals Childcare Center to expand its operations.

Additionally, the meeting included a discussion about a change order for the wastewater treatment plant, with a resident raising questions about the implications of not approving the $790,000 change order. The council indicated that further discussion on this matter would occur during the action item portion of the meeting.

In conclusion, the council's approval of the special use permit marks a significant step for the Little Rascals Childcare Center, enabling it to better serve the community's childcare needs. The council will continue to address the wastewater treatment plant change order in future discussions.