Planning board approves rezoning for K–3 school and 42-child daycare at 106 West Ninth Street

The City of Hialeah Planning and Zoning Board on Wednesday approved rezoning a property at 106 West Ninth Street to permit a standalone private kindergarten-through-third-grade school with an attached daycare facility.

The board approved the rezoning from CR (Commercial Residential) to R-3D (Multiple-family district) together with a conditional use permit to allow a K–3 elementary school with a maximum of 28 students and a daycare limited to 42 children, and a variance reducing required parking from 15 spaces to 11. The motion was made by Board member Jimenez and seconded by Board member Alexia; the board recorded unanimous approval with the item adopted with conditions.

Staff said the property is a roughly 13,500-square-foot lot with an approximately 4,480-square-foot single-story building and a Central Business District land use that is compatible with either the existing CR zoning or the requested R-3D zoning. The application proposes to keep the building’s general configuration, add a drop-off/pickup area along West First Avenue, retain existing mature trees, and reorganize vehicular circulation to serve the school and daycare.

City staff recommended approval conditioned on completion of required improvements before issuance of business licenses, submittal of building permits for the change of use, submission of street-department permits for the on-street parking modifications, presence of school staff to supervise drop-off/pickup and keep sidewalks clear, and an ordinance restriction prior to second reading capping enrollment at the proposed limits.

Applicant representative Laso Depiglio, speaking on behalf of 106 West LLC, said the site plan keeps most exterior materials and landscaping and that the drop-off layout is intended to preserve safe circulation. Yamilia Delgado accompanied the applicant in the hearing.

Leslie Picayo, identified in the record as the director who runs the active school program, answered board questions about classroom organization, explaining that teachers rotate students between instruction areas so one classroom is used for both second and third grade instruction and that music, art and library use occurs in shared spaces.

Board members asked about the business across the street, and staff noted the neighboring convenience store sells tobacco products but is not licensed as a “smoke shop,” which has prompted a code-enforcement review of signage and licensing. A board member also asked about protective barriers at the outdoor play area facing a busy street; the applicant said a concrete barrier combined with a fence will be installed and that those protections are a requirement.

The board approved the item with the stated conditions; staff noted the board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council on April 8 for final action and that the applicant must obtain permits and complete required improvements before a business license is issued.

Votes at a glance: Motion by Board member Jimenez; second by Board member Alexia. Recorded vote: Yes — Mason, Enriquez, Perez, Santos Deo, Ulloa, Jimenez, Alexia. Outcome: Approved with conditions.