Planning panel approves conceptual site plan for 12,000‑square‑foot KinderCare at 1501 Georgian Park with conditions

Peachtree City planning commissioners on Feb. 24 approved a conceptual site plan for a new 12,000‑square‑foot KinderCare daycare at 1501 Georgian Park, with conditions that the applicant add several golf‑cart parking spaces and return with play‑equipment samples and shade‑structure details at the time of building‑elevation review.

City staff told the commission the proposed facility sits on a 1.36‑acre outparcel behind the Kedron shopping center, directly behind the Target store, and is zoned GC (general commercial), which permits daycare uses. The site plan shows 40 parking spaces, a fenced outdoor play area and a gradual slope from the street to the rear that will require a separate permit for a retaining wall.

The project matters to residents and commissioners because it will add an indoor facility and an outdoor play area designed for up to 60 children, and because the site connects to an existing multiuse path and a neighborhood golf‑cart network. Staff recommended approval after confirming that the lot will not be treated as a corner lot (so certain parking setbacks do not apply), that the proposed impervious coverage (62%) meets the GC limit discussed, and that proposed setbacks meet ordinance standards.

City staff described the proposal in detail: the applicant proposes a 9,000‑square‑foot outdoor play area, exceeding the stated state minimum for a 60‑child facility (about 5,000 square feet by staff calculation), provides the required 40 parking spaces and keeps impervious coverage at about 62% of the parcel. Staff also noted that the applicant will return for an architectural/elevation review required on Georgian Park.

Bob McCann, the project civil engineer with Haines Gibson Associates, asked the commission for approval of the conceptual plan. McCann described site access from Georgian Park, said the rear play area will be fully fenced (6 feet on the west and north sides, a 4‑foot fence along the south side per city regulation, with additional security fencing planned), and said mechanical equipment and access areas will have secondary fencing for security. "We respectfully request your approval of the site plan," McCann said.

Andrew Johnson, project manager for developer Insight Real Estate, said the operator will be KinderCare and that the developer uses the same national playground vendor across its properties. "Different sections of the playground have fenced in areas with gates to access the different areas. Typically, for older children, there's something of a jungle gym that has a canopy above it, that acts as a shade structure," Johnson said, and offered to provide vendor examples and final designs at later submittals.

Commissioners asked operational and safety questions. One commissioner requested a breakdown of staff and child ratios; the applicant later provided a staff estimate of 17 employees "plus or minus 4" during the discussion. Commissioner questions also addressed how parents will drop off children (primarily parking and walking children into a secured entry), gate controls and whether the building will be sprinklered; the civil engineer confirmed an NFPA 13 sprinkler system is anticipated and that existing water lines are available to serve the site.

Commissioners also discussed adding golf‑cart parking because the site connects to a nearby path. The commission approved a motion to grant conceptual approval with the condition that the applicant work with staff to add a small number of golf‑cart parking spaces and that the applicant provide playground equipment and potential shade‑structure samples at the building‑elevation review. The motion passed by voice vote with all present saying "aye."

What happens next: the applicant will refine elevations and play‑equipment details and work with staff to add the agreed golf‑cart spaces prior to final approvals. Separately, the engineer noted the retaining wall will likely be in the 10–12‑foot range at the rear and will require a separate permit.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the conceptual site plan for the daycare facility at 1501 Georgian Park with the conditions described above; the vote was by voice and recorded as unanimous (ayes only).