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Council maintains ban on daycare in shopping centers, declines to amend Sienna development agreement
Summary
Missouri City council voted to leave in place a prohibition on childcare centers inside shopping centers within the Sienna 325 development area; staff and council cited safety, process and permitting concerns when rejecting a proposed amendment.
The Missouri City Council voted on July 21 to remain consistent with the city's existing zoning rules and not amend a development agreement to permit a childcare center inside a shopping center in the Sienna area.
Staff said the property is in a limited‑purpose annexation area that is subject to a 2016 development agreement; that agreement allows mixed uses but staff noted the city's zoning ordinance explicitly prohibits childcare centers within shopping centers or integrated business developments. Planning and Zoning forwarded a positive recommendation to council because the tenant and property owner had already expended funds and were nearing build‑out; city staff recommended against amending the development agreement in order to maintain the existing zoning standard.
Council members cited safety concerns and the higher regulatory and licensing standards that apply to childcare providers. Council Member Riley said the council must follow established ordinances and not make exceptions based on a tenant's business decision. Council Member Oderkirk and others noted the broader trend of childcare centers closing and acknowledged the need for more child‑care capacity, but still supported keeping the zoning rule in place unless the council wishes to change the code citywide.
Mayor Pro Tem Brown Marshall moved to leave the ordinance unchanged; the motion carried unanimously.
