The council approved a special-use permit (SUP) to allow Graduate America to operate a vocational educational institution at 3939 Beltline Road, Suites 540 and 550. The school proposes roughly 6,500 square feet of classroom and training space and plans to offer allied health, vocational nursing, IT, barbering/beautician courses and apprenticeship partnerships with local employers.
Leslie (Development and Neighborhood Services) told the council the building is an existing office property that provides 351 parking spaces; the SUP requires 352 by the current ordinance, and staff suspects a historical striping or enclosure change caused a one-space deficiency. Staff said the office building is not fully leased and that Graduate America would function similar to an office tenant in terms of parking demand. The proposed facility hours are 9 a.m.–9 p.m., seven days a week, with day classes concentrated 9 a.m.–3 p.m. and evening classes 6 p.m.–9 p.m.
Planning commission and notice: Staff notified property owners within 200 feet; no responses were received. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval (5–0). Staff confirmed the property will resolve a minor landscaping code issue through the code-compliance process and that the institution is post-secondary adult education not subject to ICC 500 storm-shelter requirements for minors.
Council action: After a public hearing with no speakers on the item and brief staff and applicant remarks, council unanimously approved the SUP. Graduate America representatives said the organization already operates locations in other states and plans to engage local businesses for apprenticeships and job placement.