Planning board approves Learning Experience daycare at Seahawk Cove with conditions

The Planning and Zoning Board, sitting as the Local Planning Agency, voted to approve a conditional use application, site plan, aesthetic-review waivers and a development agreement for The Learning Experience daycare at the Seahawk Cove parcel at State Road 434 and Michael Blake Boulevard.

Board members voted to approve the application during the Aug. 7 meeting after staff presentation and public comment. The board’s approval includes the conditions recommended by staff, among them execution of the development agreement, a requirement that illuminated signage be turned off when the facility is closed, and a requirement that an economic impact analysis be available for the City Commission public hearing.

The project is sited on Lot 4 within the Seahawk Cove development. Senior planner John Raven said the daycare building would be oriented to face the parking lot rather than State Road 434, with site design intended to manage pick-up and drop-off so traffic would not back up onto SR 434. Raven described several waivers the applicant requested, including a setback waiver and a building-placement waiver, and noted staff had requested an economic impact analysis prior to the commission hearing.

During public comment, Gina Schafer of Winter Springs Village urged the board to require erosion-control fencing prior to land clearing and raised flooding and pond maintenance concerns tied to Hurricane Ian. Schafer said residents in her development purchased flood insurance after flooding and asked that the project file document dredging and wildlife information. Terrell Enroll, director of community development, confirmed the Seahawk Cove environmental materials existed in the Seahawk Cove project file and said staff would add the relevant wildlife/environmental report to the daycare project’s packet for city commission review.

Applicant representatives said the environmental work for Lot 4 had been completed by NV5 and that the Phase I and related environmental materials dated Sept. 16, 2024, found no issues. Jason Mahoney of MB5, who said he prepared the environmental report, told the board the study addressed wetlands and wildlife and that staff would ensure the report is included in the record for the Commission packet.

Board members asked operational questions. The applicant said hours would be 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the center would include an after-school program running to about age 8 and pre-K care. Staff and the applicant said lighting details are provided in the building-permit package. Board members also asked what would be required if the use later changed to a K–5 school; staff and the applicant said a separate conditional-use permit would be required, which would return the matter to the P&Z board and City Commission.

After discussion, a board member moved to approve the application with the staff-recommended conditions; another member seconded. On roll call the board voted in favor: Chairperson Ma (Aye); Board member Hood (Aye); Board member Macon (Aye); Board member Law (Aye). The motion passed.

The project will proceed to the City Commission with the conditions and with the environmental documentation added to the commission packet, per staff’s representations.