Mission council denies home daycare CUP amid traffic and safety concerns; several other conditional-use requests decided

The City of Mission on Tuesday denied a conditional-use permit request to operate a daycare out of a residence at the northwest corner of Norma Drive and Taylor Road, citing safety and traffic concerns raised by neighbors and council members.

Neighbors who addressed the council said Taylor Road has speeding and limited parking; one neighbor, Melinda Youngblood (2806 Nicole Drive), told the council she shares a backyard fence with the applicant and worried about young children accessing a backyard pool. Another neighbor, Gracie Reyna, told council members the subdivision’s covenants restrict businesses, that on-street parking already strains the block, and that vehicles queuing for drop-off could create hazards. Planning and Zoning staff noted that two property owners opposed the request at the planning commission and that the commission had concerns about traffic because the home sits on a corner.

At the council meeting, a motion to approve the daycare with conditions — a six-month conditional approval tied to installation of a circular drive and limits on enrollment — failed 3–2. During the discussion, staff advised the council that the state regulates childcare licensing and the city cannot impose licensing limits that are more restrictive than state law. Council members also pointed out a scheduled Taylor Road widening project, which staff said is due to be let in September and would take about 24 months to complete; several members expressed concern about construction traffic during that period.

Separately, the council denied a conditional-use permit for a mobile food unit proposed for a Baptist church property. Applicant Ricardo Martinez had proposed moving the truck to the church’s basketball-court area and operating limited hours, and he told the council he would donate proceeds to the church; city staff said the proposed location still violated new distance restrictions in an ordinance adopted earlier limiting where new mobile food units can locate. The council voted 5–0 to deny that application and staff offered to provide the applicant with a map of compliant locations and to seek a fee waiver if he finds a compliant spot and reapplies.

Other conditional-use actions at the meeting included unanimous approvals for a business-name change at 3009 N. Inspiration (a snack shop), approval of Florence Events (an event center at 2722 N. Conway) for two years with no alcohol sales, a one-year renewal for a portable building used by AMPM Roadside and Recovery LLC (applicant said property owner has not allowed permanent construction), approval of Le Petite Pastries for life of use, and an approved amendment allowing Domacino Pizza & Pasta to extend service hours to 2 a.m.