Planning commission deadlocks on Hooper Road home daycare; conditional use fails on tie

The Central Planning and Zoning Commission failed to approve a conditional use permit for a proposed in-home daycare at 12249 Hooper Road after a tie vote, leaving the matter as a recommendation of denial.

The application listed Deandre Glassford as the applicant; Timothy Glassford spoke to the commission on behalf of the applicant. The proposal would operate as an in-home daycare and, according to the applicant’s statements to the commission, would initially serve 6–8 children with mild-to-moderate disabilities (the applicant later confirmed the intent to operate under a state in-home daycare license). The Glassfords said they would live on the property while operating the program, planned to add parking and to install a required six-foot privacy fence around playground areas.

Neighbors raised multiple concerns during the public hearing. John R. Ammon and Dalton Mannion, among others, said they opposed converting the property to a childcare use because of noise, traffic and the area’s character. Several speakers said they had not realized their lots along Hooper Road were zoned B-5 commercial; commissioners and staff confirmed the zoning designation had been applied earlier and that no variances were requested for this application. Neighbors also questioned whether the residential utilities and private drainage in the area could support a commercial-level use.

Commission discussion focused on vehicle access, parking and how the proposed use fits the city’s master plan for Hooper Road. Commissioners asked whether the facility would require 6.5 parking spaces under planning rules and whether access should be modified to provide double ingress/egress or a circular drive to avoid congestion. Commissioner Furman asked whether the intended licensing capped occupancy at six children under state rules; the applicant responded that the in-home state license would limit occupancy (the applicant also stated they did not plan to seek a larger commercial license).

After commissioner discussion, a motion to approve was made but failed to reach a majority. The meeting record shows the outcome as a denial of the conditional use due to a tie vote; per commission procedure, a council member may request the item be placed on the city council agenda within 60 days for final consideration.

The commission also noted conditions that would have been required if the permit had been approved: six-foot fencing around play areas, off-street parking and compliance with conveyance-zone requirements and state licensing for in-home childcare.