Madison County board conditionally approves small Farm Haven childcare pending health-department signoff

Alicia Matthews, founder of Steps Academy Learning Center, asked the Madison County Board of Supervisors on a zoning matter to allow a small childcare program on a Farm Haven lot that currently contains two houses.

Matthews said the program would support children ages 5 through 10 with tutoring, homework help and mentorship in a “safe structured environment.” She described a proposed 12-by-40-foot building (about 480 square feet) and said the outdoor play area would be “about 500 square feet” and the operation would serve roughly “10 to 15 students,” with Matthews noting, “No more than 15.”

County staff and board members questioned whether the 0.93-acre parcel would meet health-department septic requirements and zoning limits for an A-1 district. A staff member told Matthews the parcel “is, I think, point 93 less slightly less than 1 acre” and warned that the county health department “requires 2 acres for septic system” and that she should consult the health department before proceeding. The staff member also summarized child-care space rules: “you have to have 35 square feet per child” and play area rules that apply per child.

Given unresolved questions about septic capacity, lot size and compliance with health-department rules, a board member moved to table the matter pending those answers. The board then adopted a substitute motion to grant conditional approval contingent on the health department’s approval of the septic and other health-related requirements; the board also noted Matthews would have to complete a site-plan approval if the health department approves.

The substitute motion passed with the board’s voice vote (motion and tally not recorded by name in the transcript). The board directed Matthews to consult the health department and return with any materials needed for site-plan review if the health department approves the use.

Matthews told the board she lives in one of the houses on the lot and that one of the two structures is currently used for storage. She said she is “committed to being a good neighbor, respectful of the noise, traffic, and safety” and that the indoor facility would include bathrooms and kitchen space.

The board emphasized the outstanding regulatory steps: health-department approval for septic and childcare spacing, then county site-plan review and any necessary permits, before construction or operation could begin.