The Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve a special permit allowing Baby Beluga Family Daycare at 43 Betswood Drive to increase from 12 to 18 children. The commission’s approval followed a public hearing that included technical reviews from the city’s engineering and transportation departments, statements from the applicant’s consultants, and more than a dozen public comments for and against the expansion.

Craig Blarity of Redness and Mead, representing the applicant, said the proposal does not change the house’s size or mass but would reconfigure the driveway and parking to improve on-street conditions. “The primary improvements to the site take what is currently the single t intersection driveway … and make a looping driveway. We believe, this will improve, the drop off and pick up on the site,” Blarity told the commission. He said the Department of Public Works engineering division reviewed the drainage report and issued a sign-off dated June 25, and the city’s Transportation, Mobility and Parking department (TMP) signed off on June 27.

Brian Dempsey, the traffic consultant, summarized the transportation analysis and the expected change in vehicle trips: “With the increase of the 6 additional children, you'd have an increase in the peak hour of about 2 to 3 vehicles,” and later noted, “About 3 additional vehicles during that peak hour.” Dempsey said TMP reviewed and accepted the findings and that the proposed loop driveway and on-site parking would reduce the need for cars to stop on Betswood Road.

Applicant Myra Garcia said the daycare currently operates up to 12 children and would add staff to meet state staffing ratios should the commission approve the increase. “Right now, I have 4 employees, and I will increase … 2 more,” Garcia said. She told the commission that hours would remain 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and that she does not operate Sunday; she also said she does not provide off-site transportation and that children are walked only with parental permission.

Neighborhood speakers voiced concerns about traffic, street width, on-street parking, and noise. Gregory and Vernetta Johnson, who live next door at 45 Bettswood Road, said they support the owner personally but called the proposed capacity “a bit much for a residential neighborhood.” Neighbor John Gordy, who lives across the street, said drop-offs sometimes take 10 to 15 minutes and that cars have blocked the street, creating safety concerns for pedestrians and schoolchildren walking to nearby bus stops. Several neighbors asked whether enacting the loop driveway and additional on-site parking would actually be enough to prevent on-street stacking.

Other parents and clients spoke in favor. Ryan Henderson said his family has had “an incredible experience” at Baby Beluga and described the expansion as “a net positive for young families around here.” A client, Alisa Grevenberg, said the daycare keeps the site tidy and that drop-offs are typically brief. Several supporters noted local demand for childcare options.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about cohorting, play-area use and licensing. Garcia said outside play would be staggered by age groups so not all children would use the yard simultaneously and that the play area’s size would not materially change from current conditions. She confirmed that state approval from the Office of Early Childhood (OEC), fire marshal and building department approvals are required before any licensed increase to 18 children would take effect.

After discussion, a motion to approve the special permit passed. Commissioner Jackie Jordan Byron abstained, and Commissioner Rowena voted no; the majority approved the request. The permit approves the use change and site reconfiguration shown in the submitted plans; interior renovations, the garage conversion and the state licensing required for operation with 18 children remain conditional and subject to separate permitting and inspections.