Tullah planning commission approves conditional-use permit for in‑home daycare at 843 East Deer Flat Road

The Tullah City Planning Commission on April 23 voted 7‑0 to approve a conditional‑use permit allowing Ashley Lopez to operate an in‑home daycare for 8 to 16 children at 843 East Deer Flat Road in the R‑17 zoning district.

Staff presented the application and recommended approval subject to standard conditions. Staff member Mr. Page said staff’s recommendation included that “the applicant shall meet all state of Utah license requirements for the operation of a childcare facility.” The staff report dated April 18, 2025, also recommended that the applicant comply with Tullah City home‑occupation business license rules and with applicable building and fire codes.

The permit request triggered a public hearing required by city and state rules. Mr. Page told the commission the property is a single‑family residence in the R‑17 district, that staff found no other licensed childcare or preschool requiring a conditional use permit within 300 feet, and that the applicant reported no nonresidential employees and staggered arrival and departure times. The city code provisions cited by staff for home‑occupation childcare included: a limit of one nonresidential employee, a required traffic and parking plan reviewed by Planning staff, a maximum of two sessions per day, and a 300‑foot separation from other licensed childcares (as stated in the staff presentation).

One written public comment was noted. A neighbor at 868 Deer Flat wrote the commission to say they “very much welcome the approval of request for in home childcare at 843 Deer Flat.” No opposing public testimony was recorded in the hearing.

Commissioner Hammer moved to approve application 2025039 by Ashley Lopez to allow an in‑home daycare for 8 to 16 children at 843 East Deer Flat Road, based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions listed in the staff report dated April 18, 2025. Commissioner Hamilton seconded. The motion was amended on the floor to allow drop‑off to begin at 5:45 a.m. and to permit pick‑up until 7 p.m.; the amendment was accepted and the final motion passed unanimously with the following recorded votes: Commissioner Hammer, aye; Commissioner Proctor, aye; Commissioner Sloan, aye; Commissioner Hamilton, aye; Commissioner Jensen, aye; Commissioner Anderson, aye; Chair Commissioner Robinson, aye. The commission announced the motion carried 7‑0.

The commission’s action requires the applicant to obtain any required state licenses and to meet Tullah City building, fire and home‑occupation requirements before operating. The staff report and the conditions attached to the approval remain the operative guidance for those steps.