BZA approves variance allowing licensed in‑home daycare operated by nonresident owners on South 14th Street

The Richmond City Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 13 approved a variance allowing a licensed in‑home daycare to operate at 528 South Fourteenth Street although the Unified Development Ordinance generally requires the proprietor to reside at an in‑home child‑care business.

Petitioner Sarah Perdomo told the board she and her husband, Edison Perdomo, purchased the house to open a licensed daycare and described safety upgrades and operational plans, including staggered shifts and licensing requirements. Planning staff had recommended denial based on UDO restrictions that require the proprietor to live in the dwelling for a Type 2 child‑care home, but the board voted 4–0 to grant the variance.

Sarah Perdomo said she plans to operate two shifts to accommodate working families: "It will be a 7 to 5 and 5 to 11," she told the board. She said she would begin as a Class 1 provider with 12 children per shift and seek a Class 2 license to serve up to 16 per shift after one year, and that the home will be modified to meet safety requirements, including hardwired smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and a new patio door to improve backyard access.

Staff described the request as a variance of use in the R3 (high‑density single‑family) district. Planning staff summarized UDO rules, citing Article 2.11 and the child‑care definitions in the UDO, and noted that a child‑care home "requires that the primary owner operator reside in the dwelling where the home business is located." The staff report recorded notification of 32 adjacent property owners and five written responses (one in favor, four opposed). Staff's formal recommendation in the packet was to deny the petition.

Opposition letters raised typical neighborhood concerns including parking and traffic. Alexis Carter of 526 South Fourteenth Street wrote that a daycare could bring "daily traffic congestion," increased foot traffic and drop‑off/pick‑up activity that would make street parking harder for residents.

Edison Perdomo, who spoke in support, described the couple's motivation and the community need for affordable child care: "This is creating an opportunity for people of low income, people of Richmond, to send their children and know that their child is gonna get a good foundation of education," he said. He identified himself in the public comment as a psychologist and described the petitioner's experience working with children.

A board member moved to approve BZA‑17‑2025 on the findings of fact with no written commitments; the motion and second were called to a roll call vote. The voting record was: Kelly Cruz Nicholson — Aye; Jeff Cook — Aye; Sayward Salazar — Aye; Josh Imhoff — Aye. The motion passed 4–0 and the variance was granted.

Perdomo said she intends to follow state licensing requirements and upgrade the dwelling for safety before full operation. The approval allows the Perdomos to proceed with licensing steps required by the state; the planning office noted the request does not change the underlying R3 zoning designation.