Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Cocoa daycare applicant says new sprinkler requirement halted opening; fire chief says change of occupancy triggered NFPA code
Summary
Tiffany Smith, a lifelong Cocoa resident and early‑childhood educator, told the City Council on Sept. 9 she cannot open a daycare at leased church space because a fire inspector now requires a sprinkler system after a change of occupancy was recorded.
Tiffany Smith, a lifelong Cocoa resident and 26‑year early‑childhood educator, said she has spent months and thousands of dollars preparing to open a daycare in space leased from Celebration Tabernacle Church but was told in August that a sprinkler system is required before she can receive licensing from the Department of Children and Families.
"I started my BTR in January… and here in August, as I'm getting ready to start, my next step would be DCF and being licensed. And here I am with, boom, a sprinkler system," Smith told the council during the delegation period. She said the requirement was not disclosed earlier in her building‑permit process and that finding vendors and financing for a sprinkler installation is difficult.
Fire Chief Lamb explained the change results from a change of occupancy. "This was a change of occupancy, and anytime you have a change of…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
