Planning panel approves special-use permit for daycare at South Belt Line Road

The Balch Springs Planning and Zoning Commission on March 6 approved Special Use Permit SUP-001-2025 to allow Divine Care LLC to operate a daycare at 3475 South Belt Line Road.

Staff described the proposal as a 4,500-square-foot remodel of an existing building formerly used as a veterinary clinic, with a fenced rear playground, 14 parking spaces, and operating hours generally between 6 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., with options for early drop-off and late pickup. Staff said the center would offer infant care, after-school care and special-needs services; capacity was listed as 120 children from birth through age 12. Staff recommended approval subject to 14 standard and site-specific conditions, including the installation of security cameras and compliance with state licensing.

The applicant’s representative told the commission the building contains an existing exterior door on the west side that will be incorporated as an emergency exit for the infant room. “We plan to incorporate that door into the infant room because most city ordinances require that you have a door to roll the cribs out,” the applicant said.

Commissioner Adams raised a safety concern about the infant room, saying he “noticed the blueprint... it did not have a door where the infant room is, a exit door for the case of emergency.” The applicant responded that the door exists on the west side and will be integrated into the infant-room layout.

Commissioner Adams moved to approve the SUP; Commissioner Gardner seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote with Commissioners Ford, Gardner, Comstock, Adams and Patino voting yes. The motion and staff recommendation tie the permit to 14 conditions, including required enrollment and licensing documentation, landscaping, paving of the parking lot, playground fencing and security-camera installation.

Why it matters: The permit authorizes a new childcare provider at a location staff said is commercially zoned and will serve families in nearby single-family neighborhoods. The applicant described the center as an accredited, national operator with Texas Rising Star accreditation and about 28 years of experience.

The commission closed the public hearing after no members of the public spoke; the applicant addressed the commissioners’ door and safety question during the hearing. No further action was recorded at the meeting beyond the approval.

Additional details recorded at the hearing: capacity 120 children; typical hours 6:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; building approx. 4,500 sq ft; 14 parking spaces; playground fenced; infant, after-school and special-needs programs; applicant stated center is nationally accredited and Texas Rising Star certified and in operation about 28 years. The permit was approved subject to 14 conditions as listed in the staff packet.