Planning commission recommends child-care zoning amendments, restores D‑1 special‑use option

At a meeting of the Coldwater Planning Commission, members voted to recommend to city council amendments to the zoning ordinance that would (1) treat group child‑care homes in the D‑1 district as a special use and (2) allow child‑care centers in the AA district as a special use subject to additional standards. The recommendation passed by voice vote after discussion and public comment.

The changes were discussed during a public hearing on the proposed child‑care amendment. Mallory Van Wagner, a resident who identified her address at 293 North Fisk Street, asked for clarification about language that had removed certain child‑care uses from the D‑1 district. "I just wanted to clarify why that was done and if we could just have some conversations so I could give them a better understanding of why that decision was made or why it could not be a special use in the future," Van Wagner said.

Planning staff and commissioners…