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Commission backs Lighthouse Learning Academy expansion; conditional use permit to include third suite approved 7-0
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit to allow Lighthouse Learning Academy Mesquite to expand child daycare services into Suite 600 at 1515 East Kearney Street, consolidating existing and new suites under one CUP; applicant said expansion will add capacity and special-needs services.
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Mesquite voted 7-0 to approve a conditional use permit, application Z0325-0386, allowing child daycare services to operate in Suite 600 at 1515 East Kearney Street and consolidating existing approvals for Suites 402 and 500 into a single permit covering three suites.
Staff described the property as a multi-tenant retail building approximately 2.91 acres in size and said the Mesquite comprehensive plan designates the site as neighborhood retail, where child day care services are a compatible use. Planning staff recommended approval and noted the city sent property-owner and courtesy notices as required; staff reported no responses from property owners at the time of the hearing.
Ayesha Williams, owner of Lighthouse Academy Mesquite, told the commission the center currently operates out of Suites 402 and 500, runs six vans to transport children and serves about 80 children now. Williams said the expansion into Suite 600 would add capacity and that her wait list exceeds 100 children. She also said the program recently expanded special-needs services and that the business has continued growth since its earlier approvals.
Commissioners praised the service during the hearing; one commissioner called the program “such a valuable service” and congratulated Williams. Commissioner Arnold moved to approve Z0325-0386 with staff recommendations; Commissioner Meeland seconded and the motion passed 7-0. Staff noted the ordinance prepared for City Council may combine the three existing CUPs into a single conditional-use permit for ease of administration.
The commission’s action forwards the conditional use permit to City Council for final action on April 21. The approval allows the daycare to increase licensed capacity only to the extent permitted by the city’s permit and state licensing requirements; no specific enrollment cap was included in the commission record.
