Lexington City Council voted unanimously to approve conditional use permit CUP2025-05 to allow Total Action Against Poverty in Roanoke Valley (TAP) to relocate its Head Start preschool to the garden level at 300 Diamond Street. Planning Director Arnie introduced the public hearing and described the application’s scope and staff recommendations.

“The proposal is to enroll a maximum of 40 students, age 2 to 5, and operate Monday through Friday from 8AM to 4PM,” Arnie said, noting that the building has a fire suppression system and that federal licensing requires a separate fenced playground. Staff recommended approval with four stipulations tied to occupancy, hours of operation and building-code compliance; the Planning Commission had recommended approval unanimously at its June 12 meeting.

During the public hearing, several residents and council members raised concerns about drop-off and pickup congestion on the neighborhood street. Arnie and staff provided an updated drop-off plan in the council packet after the Planning Commission hearing; neighbor Max Zittmore submitted comments suggesting traffic-pattern modifications. Councilor Betts and Councilor Alexander urged staff to consider measures that keep cars off the street during peak pickup and drop-off times; Alexander suggested a pull-through or C-shaped staging area as one possible remedy.

Councilor Betts moved to approve CUP2025-05 with the staff-recommended conditions; a second was recorded and the council carried the motion in a roll-call vote with Councilors Driscoll, Ziegler, Betts and Alexander voting aye. The council noted that councilors Smith and Strahan were absent and that staff should continue to evaluate traffic mitigation measures with neighbors and TAP. No amendments were made to the staff conditions at the meeting.