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Lenexa council approves 5‑year special use permit for Kids in Child Care Center at 9870 Quivira Road
Summary
The council granted a five‑year special use permit for a commercial daycare at 9870 Quivira Road. Staff and the planning commission recommended approval after reviewing parking, play area fencing, supervision and proximity to other uses; the operator plans to seek a state license for up to 45 children.
The Lenexa City Council voted to approve a five‑year special use permit for a commercial daycare, Kids in Child Care Center, to operate at 9870 Quivira Road.
Scott McCullough of the city’s community development department told the council the property is a roughly 4,500‑square‑foot building on just over a half‑acre in a neighborhood planned office (NPO) district. The applicant is pursuing a state license for up to 45 children; staff said the code requires 11 parking spaces and the site offers 22 on‑site spaces, plus access to a broader commercial parking agreement.
Why it matters: The permit would allow extended hours and weekday programming at a site near other commercial uses and residences. Planning staff and the planning commission reviewed safety issues related to the outdoor play area, parking and circulation and recommended approval with the understanding remaining site plan and fence details will be resolved through the building and fence‑permit process.
What the council heard
Scott McCullough described the proposed operations: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; extended hours Friday and Saturday through 10 p.m.; and staggered drop‑off and pickup windows to limit peak congestion. The applicant proposed a fenced outdoor playground; staff drew an alternative fence line to avoid blocking the sidewalk and to fit the existing berm and site conditions.
Christina Ford, owner of Kids in Child Care Center, and Kelly Fiscus, the center’s director, answered council questions about supervision and playground access. Ford said the play area will be divided so older children occupy a separate fenced section and infants/toddlers will use a smaller, closer space with direct doors to the building. “We can’t put locks on the gates because of fire and fire safety, but they have latches,” Ford said, adding staff‑to‑child ratios will follow licensing requirements (for example, roughly 1 teacher to 10 children in older age groups).
Council members asked whether a nearby liquor store’s vacancy would affect future uses; legal counsel noted distance requirements (a commonly applied ~200‑foot separation for some school uses) would require case‑by‑case review if circumstances change. McCullough and the applicant confirmed the building is currently vacant.
Parking and circulation
Staff said the site provides sufficient on‑site parking (22 spaces) against the code’s minimum of 11 and benefits from a broader center parking arrangement. The planning commission discussed the fenced play area’s geometry against the berm and sidewalk; staff indicated those details would be finalized through fence and building permits and noted the applicant must address property maintenance items before occupancy.
Vote and next steps
Councilmember Melanie moved to approve the five‑year special use permit; Chelsea seconded and the motion passed. Staff will complete final reviews of fence permits, building permits and any licensing paperwork required by the state before the center may open.
Ending: The applicant will pursue state licensing to confirm the final licensed capacity; the council approval allows the center to proceed with site‑plan and permit work required for operation.
