Stonecrest council approves special land‑use permit for Panola Road day care center

The City of Stonecrest on March 24 approved Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) 24‑009, authorizing a type‑2 home occupation to operate as a child day care center at 3356 Panola Road. Council voted 5–0 to adopt the permit and associated conditions.

City officials and planning staff said the applicant has operated a child‑care business at the address for many years and holds a state license. Planning staff described the parcel as zoned R‑100 (residential, medium lot) with a suburban neighborhood future land‑use designation and recommended approval subject to standard licensing and site conditions.

Why it matters: The vote resolves a long‑running compliance question about an existing operation that moved from unincorporated DeKalb County into the City of Stonecrest. Granting the SLUP as a child day care center aligns Stonecrest’s approval with the provider’s state credentialing and avoids requiring the operator to seek a new county permit.

Council members and speakers focused on whether the operation should remain a “facility” (six or fewer children) or be designated a “center” (seven or more). Planning staff told council the state license authorizes up to 12 children based on the residence’s square footage; staff analysis and the applicant’s representations led them to recommend approval as a day care center. Planning staff also noted the last state monitoring report (October 2024) documented eight children on site.

Supporters including neighbors and a representative for the applicant told council the operation has a long local history, that children are kept at the rear of the property and that no complaints have been lodged to date. The applicant’s representative said the operator would comply with any conditions imposed and would maintain all required state licensing and the required City of Stonecrest business license.

The council’s approval carries the conditions read into the record by planning staff: compliance with all applicable Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning rules and regulations; possession and maintenance of a City of Stonecrest business license prior to operation; compliance with minimum area, play‑area and fencing requirements before issuance of a city license; provision of required off‑street parking and an adequate on‑site turnaround; maintenance of a residential exterior appearance in the R‑100 district; and the requirement that no child care center be located within 1,000 feet of another child care center. Staff said these are the standard conditions for a child care center in Stonecrest’s code.

The motion to approve SLUP 24‑009 as a child day care center was made by Councilmember Alicia Washington and seconded; the motion passed 5–0. The ordinance language and final permit documents will be corrected for consistent terminology before final enactment.

The council and staff noted they will continue refining administrative procedures so similar long‑standing providers can be processed administratively when appropriate, rather than requiring a public SLUP hearing.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve SLUP 24‑009 (3356 Panola Road) as a child day care center — Mover: Councilmember Alicia Washington; Second: (recorded) — Vote: 5 in favor, 0 opposed; outcome: approved.

Provenance: The planning presentation of SLUP 24‑009 begins in the public hearing segment introduced by planning staff at the March 24 meeting; the council vote appears later in the meeting record.