Planning Commission approves rezoning at 332 Southeast German Lane for small daycare tied to Conway Christian campus

The Conway Planning Commission voted to rezone property at 332 Southeast German Lane from A-1 (agricultural) to S-1 (institutional) to allow the lot to be platted into the Conway Christian School campus and used as a small daycare, the commission heard during a public hearing.

Planning staff described the parcel as a currently agricultural lot just north of Conway Christian School with an existing roughly 1,100-square-foot single-family house and said the Conway comprehensive plan designates the site for institutional use. Staff said adjacent zoning to the north and west is A-1 and to the south and east is S-1. Staff said the site is not in a FEMA flood zone and utilities (electric and water) already reach the property; any further extensions would need coordination with ConwayCorp. Staff also told the commission that S-1 zoning has a 1-acre minimum but that platting the parcel with the school campus would align the property with S-1 requirements and that a light site development review will be required because the use would change from residential to nonresidential.

Emily Farris of Sal and Farris Architects, identifying herself as the applicant representative, told the commission the daycare is expected to serve about "8 to 10 kids" with "probably 2 staff members." Farris said staff parking demand would be minimal (two cars anticipated) and that teachers would use the school's existing parking and walk children over to the daycare.

No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing. A commissioner moved to approve the rezoning; a second was recorded and the chair called for the vote. The motion passed with all voting "aye." The motion record in the meeting transcript does not identify the mover or seconder by name.

Next steps identified by staff include platting the lot with the school property and completing a light site development review before the daycare use begins. Because the Planning Commission makes recommendations to the City Council for public hearing items, staff noted the council could consider the item as early as June 24; any appeals of denials would go to the council within 30 days.

The commission also approved its minutes and had no further public comment on this item.