Holiday planning commission forwards micro‑school land‑use text amendment to city council

The Holiday Planning Commission unanimously voted to forward a text amendment to the City Council that would add definitions and land‑use rules for home‑based micro schools and larger micro education entities to the City of Holiday Land Use Code.

A city staff member told the commission the changes align the city code with Senate Bill 13 from the 2024 legislative session and described two categories: a “home based micro school” providing kindergarten through grade 12 services to up to 16 students from a residential dwelling, and a “micro education entity” providing K–12 services for up to 100 students.

The staff member said most operational and educational rules come from state law but that the city can regulate local land‑use factors. Under the draft language, business licensing provisions in Title 5 would govern licensing and operational limits while the land‑use definitions and allowable locations would be added to Title 13 and the City of Holiday Land Use Table. The staff member told commissioners that the city may impose local restrictions on hours of operation, parking, traffic mitigation and site development to protect health and safety.

Key technical provisions summarized by staff include a minimum floor‑space standard of 35 net square feet per student for home‑based micro schools and 20 net square feet per student for micro education entities, a requirement that micro schools file as businesses with the state and municipality, a secure outdoor play area, and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in rooms used for instruction. For home‑based micro schools, staff said the draft requires one parking space for each nonresident employee plus one additional space. Staff also noted the state requires the city to allow these classifications in all zones but that the municipality may attach reasonable conditions or limits, and that applicants can sign waivers in locations near alcohol‑licensed or sex‑oriented businesses.

Commissioners asked whether the amendment could be used to create boarding‑school‑style uses; staff replied the code has no direct provision for boarding schools and that those kinds of residential institutional uses are regulated differently and often require special review or accommodation under other code sections.

No members of the public addressed the commission during the required public hearing. Commissioner Cunningham moved to forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council to amend Title 13 (chapter 04) and chapter 100.01 of the City of Holiday Land Use Code to add the definitions and approved land uses as drafted. Commissioners Folland and Barron seconded. The roll call vote recorded ayes from Commissioner Barron, Commissioner Ghosn, Commissioner Folland, Commissioner Vilchinski, Commissioner Cunningham and Chair Roach; the motion passed unanimously (6–0).

With the planning commission recommendation approved, the amendment will move to the City Council for final consideration and any additional council‑level changes or conditions.