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Commission recommends approval of child‑care variance for house of worship at 713 Manor Street
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval to zoning for a variance to permit a child‑care center at Faith Village Christian Center (713 Manor Street) after hearing public testimony from the proposed operator and regional early‑learning staff.
The York City Planning Commission voted unanimously on July 14 to recommend that the zoning board approve a variance allowing a child‑care center in the lower level of a house of worship at 713 Manor Street.
Staff recommended denial of the variance during the commission’s agenda presentation, citing zoning code limits for permitted uses in the UN‑2 urban residential neighborhood district and recommending denial of the request to allow a child‑care center as defined in the city code (item presented as 13O4.010.3‑3.060.001). “Therefore, staff recommends denial of the request for a variance to allow child care center at 713 Manor Street,” a staff member told the commission.
The applicant, who introduced herself as Liz Townsend, said the property will remain a house of worship and that Bread of Life Day Center would operate programs in the lower level and outdoor areas in compliance with state Department of Human Services rules. “We would like … Bread of Life Day Center to come in and use our facility as a day center,” Townsend told the commission.
Community members and early‑learning partners spoke in support. Zipporah Erskine described her experience operating Jack and Jill Nursery in Spring Garden Township and said expanding a program near McKinley Elementary would meet local demand for childcare. “We need to be strategic and intentional as far as putting supports that will help [young children] become their best selves,” Erskine said. Yamili Applewhite, an early‑learning provider specialist with Community Connections for Children, told the commission that within a 10‑mile radius of the church there are only 10 centers and that most have waiting lists; she described the applicant as having received a competitive startup grant and encouraged the commission to support childcare capacity.
After public comment the commission voted to recommend the variance be granted to the zoning board. The roll call recorded: “Davis. Aye. Wolfe. Aye. Gaines. Aye. Moore. Aye.” The commission’s recommendation advances the applicant to a zoning hearing where the zoning board will make the final decision.
The record shows community members including Darlene and Marshall Leonard and a representative from Community Connections for Children spoke in favor. A separate speaker in the public‑comment portion briefly raised unrelated ideas about vacant lots and homeless services; the commission chair clarified that those comments were on a different subject.
