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Blythewood board approves special exception for in-home daycare at 799 Scarlet Oak Drive
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals granted a special exception allowing an in-home family childcare operation at 799 Scarlet Oak Drive, contingent on the applicant meeting state licensing requirements; the board recorded an HOA letter of conditional approval and noted lot- and setback-related findings.
The Town of Blythewood Board of Zoning Appeals voted to grant a special exception allowing an in-home daycare at 799 Scarlet Oak Drive, contingent on the operator receiving required state licensing and inspections.
Daniel (planning staff) told the board the request is for an in-home child day care in a D-1 zoning district and cited Town ordinance language (recorded in the meeting materials as “section 155.25.287”) that allows the use by special exception. He said staff had not yet determined whether state regulations were met, but reported the applicant's lot measures about 0.49 acres (21,344.4 square feet) in Richland County GIS and that the nearest neighboring residential property is roughly 40 feet away — satisfying the ordinance’s minimum setback provision as presented to staff.
Katrina Stevenson, the applicant, told the board she is applying for a family child care home license and said she already has four cribs in place. “I have 4 cribs. So it's already set up in the home,” Stevenson said, adding that she expects to care only for infants while licensed and plans staggered drop-off times with driveway stacking: “I will start roughly around 7, 7:30 ... and they must pick their children up by 6.”
Board members and staff noted that state licensing, fire marshal inspection and background checks are part of the separate approval process. Daniel and staff said town approval is required before the applicant can complete those state and local inspections. An HOA letter signed by the homeowners association president was placed on the record; staff described it as a conditional HOA approval (listing conditions including adherence to state/local regulations and a maximum number of children) and confirmed signs would be prohibited under the HOA statement received.
During discussion board members raised questions about the basement sleeping area and emergency egress. Stevenson said the basement sleep room is windowless but is close to an exit: “There's an exit ... it's probably about maybe 15 feet.” Board members said the fire marshal will inspect and that background checks and other licensing requirements remain to be completed by the state agency referenced in the application materials as DSS.
A motion to grant the special exception, conditioned on the applicant obtaining state approval and meeting required inspections, was made and seconded. There being no opposition, the board approved the motion and the chair instructed staff to provide the applicant with an official approval letter she can present to state licensing authorities and to the town for her business-license application.
The board’s action grants the special exception to the property owner; staff noted on the record that the special-exception approval does not automatically transfer with property conveyance and effectively applies to the approved owner/operator until changed by further action or transfer of rights.
