Council takes first reading on Cornerstone Lutheran’s preschool expansion, staff to return with final plan

Ross (planning/economic development staff) described a requested special exception for Cornerstone Lutheran Church at 13450 East 116th Street to permit a preschool use within an R-2 residential zone. The petitioner plans a roughly 29,000-square-foot west-side expansion and an outdoor playground area intended to serve about 150 students initially with capacity to expand to 175–200 students; staff materials referenced approximately 200 students in planning documents.

Ross told council that engineering memos were included for traffic review and that staff recommended further review of the southbound approach on 116th Street; planning staff suggested opening a new connection to 118th Street at the east parking lot to help traffic circulation. Ross noted the item is being taken as a first reading in public hearing and that the petitioner will return for final reading in September.

Karen Collins, representing the petitioner (CEC), described the project in greater detail: a 29,000-square-foot expansion on the west side of the existing church, initial enrollment about 150 children (ages 0–5) with capacity to increase to 175, operating hours 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and a gymnasium that will be available for public use. She confirmed a new driveway from the east parking lot to connect to 118th Street will be constructed to address traffic concerns identified by engineering.

Council opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke on the record. Councilmember Bill (recorded as giving the first reading) moved to give the first reading; the motion carried. Councilmembers said they intend to revisit traffic and neighborhood concerns and incorporate lessons from prior corridor projects into the final review.

The item will return for final consideration with answers to outstanding engineering and public-input issues.