Committee forwards special‑exception request for 114 South Mayflower to allow pre‑K/day‑care use

The Zoning & Annexation Committee voted to send Bill 30‑25 to the committee of the whole with a favorable recommendation to allow a pre‑K/primary/secondary special exception at 114 South Mayflower. The motion carried unanimously on a 6–0 roll call.

Mark Delistritto, zoning specialist, summarized the petition as a request under section 210601f11 of the city zoning code for a pre‑K/primary/secondary use in the Suburban 1 district. He said the property, previously used as a home daycare/child development center, would be compatible with surrounding suburban residential uses and consistent with the city comprehensive plan’s recommendation E‑5.1. "This pre k program or early childhood program would fit with the surrounding land use, and zoning of the surrounding suburban residential neighborhood," Delistritto said.

David Turner, the petitioner’s representative, identified the address as 114 South Mayflower and said the property was purchased in 2023. Turner said the site had previously operated as a daycare and he and prospective tenants want to restore that use: "The property, at 114 South Mayflower, was purchased, for the use, that it was already well, prior being used for which is a home day care, bridal care center, child development center... we have tenants who want to do the same, type of offer the same site for service to the community, which is a day care, learning center, not a school." Turner said state guidelines would limit the facility to a maximum of about 40 children depending on age mix.

Committee members asked why an exception was required; Delistritto explained the pre‑K/primary/secondary classification requires a special exception under the current zoning code and that prior approvals pre‑date the 2020 code change. The petitioner confirmed the current plan is for pre‑K only and not to operate a charter school or primary elementary program.

No members of the public testified for or against the petition during the committee hearing. After members’ questions the roll call was taken: Council member White — Aye; Council member Warner — Aye; Citizen member Henry Davis Jr. — Aye; Citizen member Stacy Odom — Aye; Committee vice chair Thomas Morgan — Aye; Committee chair Dr. David — Aye. The committee forwarded the bill to the committee of the whole with a favorable recommendation.