County approves Treasure Coast Learning Center child-care conditional use permit in Midway commercial strip

St. Lucie County commissioners on Aug. 5 approved a conditional-use permit to establish Treasure Coast Learning Center, a child-care service for up to 45 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years in a converted retail building on Midway Road.

Planning staff said the 0.36-acre site includes a remodeled 4,400-square-foot building and that the conditional use will require a change-of-occupancy review with Building, Fire and Environmental staff before operations begin. The center proposed 13 parking spaces (including one ADA space), three staff spaces, and a fenced outdoor play area south of the building. Hours proposed are 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; peak-door times were described as 6:30–8:30 a.m. and 3:30–6 p.m.

Staff said the applicant will be required to submit a parent drop-off and pickup operations manual to minimize queuing and ensure safe vehicle movements on the site, and to comply with Florida child-care licensing and building and fire-code requirements (for example, restroom and egress needs, and any required fire suppression). The application drew four responses to mailed notice: two in favor, one opposed, and one neutral. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval, and the Board approved the permit at the meeting.

Commissioners and multiple county staff members encouraged the applicant and reminded her that opening a child-care center requires coordination with building and fire officials and that the county's small‑business navigator can assist with permit steps. The Board members praised the proposal as meeting a local need for child care and offered continued staff assistance through the permitting process.

Next steps: The applicant must complete building-permit and licensing steps and satisfy the change-of-occupancy and fire-inspection requirements before receiving final zoning-compliance and opening.