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Commission approves Growing Tree childcare at 1984 Great Highway with parking variance to follow
Summary
Planning staff recommended approval and the commission granted conditional use authorization for a 60‑child childcare center at a former church at 1984 Great Highway; sponsor promises Mandarin bilingual program and proposed a white‑zone loading area to address parking concerns.
The Planning Commission approved a conditional use authorization for a childcare center operating as Growing Tree at 1984 Great Highway. Staff explained the change of use from a church to a childcare facility for up to 60 children (ages up to 5), Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., operated by six to eight staff; the site sits in an RH2 residential district and was found consistent with the general plan and planning code other than parking requirements.
Because the zoning requires two off‑street parking spaces per the applicable table, the sponsor will seek a separate parking variance from the zoning administrator; staff noted the sponsor will request a passenger loading/unloading white‑zone curb to mitigate on‑street impacts. Several neighbors and former parents supported the project, citing a long waiting list for bilingual (Mandarin/English) seats; others raised questions about ADA access to the second floor and building historic status, which staff said will be reviewed by Building Inspection during permit review.
The commission voted to approve the conditional use authorization with standard conditions and routed building and ADA reviews through the Department of Building Inspection; the zoning administrator indicated inclination to grant the parking variance.
What’s next: Sponsor to pursue building permits, state childcare license and the zoning administrator’s parking variance; Building Inspection will review ADA and historic‑resource implications.
Recorded action: Conditional use authorization approved; zoning administrator inclined to grant the requested variance.
