The City of Southfield Planning Commission on July 30 recommended approval of a special land use permit to allow a group child-care home at 24749 Maryland Street, enabling an existing licensed family daycare operator to increase capacity.

Applicant Abigail Pierce told the commission she has operated a licensed home childcare at the address since 2016, holds a bachelor’s degree in education, maintains a five-star Michigan Great Start to Quality rating and intends to hire an assistant if the expansion is approved. She said about 90% of the families she serves live in Southfield. Pierce described staggered drop-off and pick-up practices and said she does not plan extended evening hours at this time.

The proposal would change an existing family daycare (a permitted right in a single-family home) to a licensed group child-care home that allows up to 12 children, which in this city requires a special land use and a state license. Planning staff explained the property is in an R-3 residential zone, consistent with the master plan’s moderate-density single-family designation, and that the basement classroom has two means of egress and met state requirements during staff review.

More than a dozen neighbors and former families spoke in support during the public hearing, describing experience with Pierce’s program and citing safety, cleanliness, childhood development outcomes and community benefit. Supporters included nearby neighbors who said they had no traffic, noise or nuisance complaints and parents who credited Pierce with helping children’s development and toilet training during early years and the COVID period.

Staff recommended a favorable recommendation to City Council with conditions: continuous compliance with applicable ordinances, issuance of required building permits and final inspections by the city, and hours of operation limited to Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Staff noted the operator will also need a state child-care license and that staff and household members must meet state fingerprinting, CPR and continuing-education requirements.

Commissioner Bernudi moved to recommend approval; Commissioner Martin seconded. The commission voted unanimously to forward a favorable recommendation to City Council. Staff and the applicant noted that final building- and state-level approvals remain required and that the special land use approval runs with the property only as long as the operation conforms to the conditions and representations placed on the record.

The commission’s action sends PSLU25-0005 to City Council for final consideration; the applicant was told to follow up with staff on council dates and to complete any outstanding inspections and licensing steps before final approvals.