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Council approves conditional use permit to expand Lighthouse Learning Academy into additional storefront; operator expects space for ~40 more children
Summary
The council unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing Lighthouse Learning Academy to expand childcare services into an adjacent suite at 1515 East Kearney Street; the operator said the new space will add capacity for about 40 additional children and additional staff.
The Mesquite City Council on April 21 approved a conditional-use permit to allow Lighthouse Learning Academy to expand childcare services into an adjacent suite at 1515 East Kearney Street (suites 402, 500 and 600). The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval with stipulations.
Lighthouse Learning Academy operator Octavia Silas told council the center has grown quickly since opening at this location five years ago and currently serves more than 100 children with a waiting list; the new suite was formerly a convenience store and will be converted to classroom/gym-style space for school-age children. Silas said the expansion will increase capacity by roughly 40 children and require hiring additional staff.
Why it matters: The site sits in a mixed-use, neighborhood-retail area that the city's comprehensive plan supports for neighborhood-serving services. Councilmembers noted high local demand for childcare as Mesquite grows and welcomed the additional capacity.
Vote Motion to approve the conditional use permit for child daycare services in Suite 600 carried 7''—or and 0 against.
Ending Council approved the CUP and urged the operator to coordinate any required building-review permits and to work with the city's economic-development office if the program outgrows the center's retail space in future.
