Board approves Elkhart Community Schools request to increase teenage-parent program capacity to 66 children

The Elkhart City Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 28 approved an amended use variance allowing the Elkhart Community Schools Teenage Parent Program at 2424 California Road to increase its licensed capacity from 18 to 66 children.

Planning staff told the board the expanded capacity reflects updated state licensing and that the facility currently holds a state child care license for up to 66 children. “The approval in 2019 allowed 18 children,” planning staff said; “the property has a child care center license now for up to 66 children. They undergo an annual inspection, and no local complaints have been received regarding the day care operation. Therefore, the staff recommends approval of the use variance based on the following findings of fact.”

The program representative said the school corporation is expanding the program to offer “more spaces for student parents.” Staff explained the case is before the board as an amended use variance because the site is in an M-1 limited manufacturing zoning district and the updated state child-care rules require a municipal letter for licensure.

Staff told the board the program has operated on the campus in some form since 1977 and at the 2424 California Road location since February 2004. The staff findings submitted to the board said the amendment would not be injurious to public health or safety, would not substantially affect adjacent property values, and would be consistent with the city comprehensive plan because the area is intended for institutional uses.

The board voted to approve the amended use variance after a motion to adopt the petitioner’s documents and the staff findings as the board’s findings. Roll call votes were recorded as follows: Mulvaney — yes; Blakeman — yes; Evangelica/Evangiarica — yes. The motion passed unanimously and the amended variance was approved.

Votes at a glance

- Use variance 19 UV 10 (amended): Motion to approve the amended use variance and adopt the petitioner’s documents and staff findings as the board’s findings. Outcome: approved. Roll call: Mulvaney — yes; Blakeman — yes; Evangelica/Evangiarica — yes.

What happened next

After the vote, the petitioner’s representative thanked the board. Staff noted that if any party wishes to appeal the board’s decision they must file in the appropriate court within 30 days or file a written appearance with the board prior to the hearing to preserve appeal rights.

Details and next steps

- Site: 2424 California Road. - Applicant: Elkhart Community Schools Teenage Parent Program (request presented by an Elkhart Community Schools representative). - Prior approval: 2019 approval permitted 18 children (approved Sept. 19, 2019, per staff statement). - Requested change: increase permitted/licensed children from 18 to 66 to align local approval with the state license. - Staff recommendation: approval based on findings that the site already houses the program, no local complaints had been recorded, and the change aligns with the comprehensive plan.

Authorities and legal references cited at the hearing included the state child-care licensure requirements administered by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration and the related state-level program referenced by staff (Brighter Futures). The board’s action amends the prior local approval so the local authorization aligns with the state license.