The Euclid City Council on Monday approved a conditional use permit allowing Puzzle Piece Providers LLC to operate a licensed respite program for children with developmental disabilities at 27801 Euclid Avenue.

The permit, approved after extended public discussion and a council amendment, requires the tenant to construct a separate, ADA-accessible restroom for the facility (not shared with other tenants), to soundproof the tenant space, and to use the building's subsurface elevator entry for client pick-up and drop-off if the building code allows that arrangement.

Council members spent more than an hour questioning the applicant, reviewing building and licensing requirements, and debating conditions intended to limit disruption to other tenants and to address safety concerns. Director Patrick Groganmeyer told council that "the building department will apply the code so it's very health and safety focused," and that additional building-permit review would be required before the business could open.

Kiara Williams, the applicant and operator, described the service to council as "not traditional day care. It is respite care for children from ages 4 to 17." Williams said the program provides short-term respite (typically three-hour sessions billed at three hours) for families of children with developmental disabilities and that staff use positive behavior support techniques. "I am an autism mom," Williams added, explaining her motivation for starting the service.

Alex Crocus, the building owner and tenant representative, said he and his partner have discussed the proposed use with neighboring tenants and "we believe in it too," and described security upgrades to the building, including cameras, lighting and automatic locking systems. Council members asked about staffing ratios, insurance, transportation and how the facility would separate children by age or size in shared space.

City staff and permit reviewers said the conditional use approval is only one step: the applicant still must obtain any required building permits, demonstrate compliance with applicable codes, and maintain licensing as required by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and Cuyahoga County. Williams confirmed she is enrolled as a Medicaid provider and that the program currently operates in the community (transporting participants to outings) while awaiting a brick-and-mortar approval.

Councilman Wotilla moved to approve the permit with the conditions described above; Councilman Tanner seconded. The amendment and the final, amended resolution passed on a roll call vote.

The council's approval allows Puzzle Piece Providers LLC to pursue the required building permits and licensing; it does not authorize operation until those approvals and any necessary inspections are complete.

Details from the meeting record show discrepancies between earlier application documents and tonight's testimony: the application included an earlier staffing/capacity statement (three employees, one occupant for certain hours) while meeting minutes and staff summaries noted a current capacity listed as five, a planning-stage maximum of 10 children, and the applicant's stated aim to grow to 16'20 children over time. Council members emphasized that occupancy, safety-related egress, restroom requirements and other building-code matters will be resolved through the building-permit process.

The council vote concluded the matter before it; next steps are administrative: the applicant must submit and obtain building permits, finalize restroom/plumbing work and demonstrate compliance with licensing and insurance requirements before opening.