Councilors hear proposal to remove conditional-use permit for day cares in residential zones

City staff presented an interim ordinance to implement recent state law and to reduce permit barriers for day cares and childcare centers. Adam McDaniel, a city staff member, said the ordinance would remove the requirement for conditional-use permits for day cares and childcare centers in residential zones and instead allow them as permitted uses in residential and commercial zones. McDaniel cited state Senate Bill 5509 (referred to in the presentation) and said the change aligns local code with the state model to reduce delays and expand childcare capacity. The nut graf: staff framed zoning reform as one of the limited municipal tools available to increase childcare supply; council sponsors aim to streamline approvals so providers can open more quickly. The ordinance is coming forward as an interim measure and will follow the normal plan-commission review and the city’s legislative process. Council members supported reducing regulatory delays and asked staff to follow plan commission and broader code processes for final adoption.