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Plan commission backs recommendation for home daycare at 721 Maple Row
Summary
The Elkhart City Plan Commission recommended approval of a special exception for a home daycare at 721 Maple Row, with conditions including a cap of 12 children and a specification that pickup and drop-off occur at the front of the property. The commission’s recommendation moves the application to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a formal hearing.
The Elkhart City Plan Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Zoning Appeals approve a special exception to allow a home day care at 721 Maple Row.
Planning staff told the commission the petitioner submitted an application to operate a day care in a 904-square-foot house built in 1960 on a 0.15-acre lot, and that the petitioner anticipates applying for a Class 1 license from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration that would allow up to 12 children. “Staff recommends approval of the request based on the following findings of fact,” planning staff said in the report presented to the commission.
The staff report listed recommended conditions, including that the operator submit plans for any building renovations within 14 days if required; that children be restricted to the building and fenced play area except when arriving, leaving, or on supervised outings; that the facility be kept clean; that it be subject to inspection by the zoning administrator during hours of operation; and that a copy of the childcare license be submitted to the Department of Planning and Zoning when issued. The report also said the special exception would become null and void if the daycare ceases operation for more than a year or the license is revoked.
Commissioners discussed an inconsistency in the staff report regarding pickup and drop-off—one section said it would occur at the front of the house and another condition specified the rear. Planning staff clarified the correct location is the front of the property and the commission struck the rear-of-property language from the conditions.
Petitioner Elisa Garcia (listed in the staff report as Alyssa Garcia) appeared before the commission and confirmed she could meet the recommended conditions.
A motion recommending approval to the Board of Zoning Appeals with the amendment that pickup and drop-off be at the front of the property passed on a roll call vote. Commissioners voting yes were Commissioner Osborne, Commissioner Beecher, Commissioner Jones, Commissioner Lawson, Commissioner Mishler and Commissioner Schaefer.
The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold the formal public hearing and issue the final decision on the special exception.
