Raytown planning commission approves rezoning to allow Ty's Cozy Care daycare at 5400 Blue Ridge Cutoff

The Raytown Planning and Zoning Commission on Nov. 7 approved a rezoning request that will allow Ty's Cozy Care to operate at 5400 Blue Ridge Cutoff, moving the property from R3 high-density residential to NC neighborhood commercial.

Planning staff told commissioners the building at 5400 Blue Ridge Cutoff appears constructed as an office and not an apartment complex, and may have been a legal nonconforming commercial use that lapsed after being vacant more than six months. Staff said the rezoning would allow the owner to continue a commercial use without retrofitting the structure into apartments or demolishing it. "This building no longer is allowed to be used as an office or any sort of commercial type building unless this rezoning is approved," planning staff said during the presentation.

Applicant Tyisha Smith, owner and operator of Ty's Cozy Care, told the commission she currently runs a licensed facility at 7304 Cleveland Avenue with a capacity of 36 children and has about 10 years of child-care experience. "I live at 9601 Summit Street in Kansas City, Missouri. I own and operate Ty's Cozy Care," Smith said, adding she plans to house preschool activities upstairs and daycare downstairs once accreditation is complete.

Commissioners and staff discussed site-specific conditions intended to protect safety and neighborhood compatibility. Staff recommended five conditions, which the maker of the motion amended into the approval: (1) parking stalls must be striped and include clearly marked ADA-compliant stalls (City of Raytown requires minimum 9 ft by 18 ft stalls); (2) the operation must comply with all applicable local, county, state and federal laws; (3) state of Missouri daycare approval and Jackson County Health Department clearance must be obtained before issuance of a City of Raytown business license and operation; (4) day-care centers must provide a minimum of 500 square feet of contiguous, compact outdoor play area per five children, with a fence at least 48 inches high (the surface may be compacted material such as rubber or mulch); and (5) signs must be permitted through the city's separate sign application process.

A member questioned how many children the site could serve; Smith said she expects a capacity similar to her current license (about 36), but noted the state licensing process ultimately determines occupancy. Staff reiterated the play-area sizing will be finalized after the state sets occupancy numbers.

The commission moved and seconded the rezoning with the five staff conditions; the roll call produced affirmative votes from the commissioners present (Mr. Sneddon, Mr. Bringer, Stock, Ms. Emerson, Ms. Thurman, Mr. Morales, Mr. Jean Paul and Mr. Myers). The motion was approved.

Next steps noted during the meeting: the applicant must secure Missouri state daycare approval and Jackson County Health Department approval, satisfy the city’s parking and play-area conditions, and obtain a city business license before opening. The commission also encouraged the applicant to connect with the local chamber of commerce for community outreach.

The commission moved on to other business after the vote; the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 7:00 p.m.