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Council approves special exception for Sunlight Adult Day Care Center at 4200 W. Lincoln Hwy
Summary
The Town of Merrillville council granted a special‑exception permit allowing Sunlight Adult Day Care Center to operate a 4,000‑square‑foot adult day‑care facility at 4200 West Lincoln Highway, serving up to 30 clients per day with 9–12 staff and weekday hours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; petitioners described services, payers and transportation plans and the motion passed 5–0.
The Town of Merrillville council approved a special‑exception zoning permit for Sunlight Adult Day Care Center to operate a 4,000‑square‑foot nonresidential adult day‑care facility at 4200 West Lincoln Highway.
Planning staff presented the petition describing program elements — activity rooms, gym, dining area, ADA‑compliant restrooms and an outdoor activity area. The center proposed to serve a maximum of 30 clients per day with about 9–12 staff, maintain a staff‑to‑client ratio around 1:6–1:8, and operate weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The petitioner indicated the program would aim for accreditation through the Indiana Association of Adult Day Care Services and would operate under applicable state rules (noted in the presentation as 405 IAC series for adult day services).
Petitioners Lucy Grama and Lou (both physical therapists with decades of experience) said the center’s services would focus on socialization, fitness and basic health monitoring for older adults — including those with early cognitive decline — and described potential payment sources such as Medicaid, private pay, veterans’ benefits and some Medicare coverage tied to dementia diagnoses. Council members asked whether the center would provide bus transportation; petitioners said there would be no regular bus service initially and that families or private transport would be used, although a minivan affiliate and later transportation plans were discussed.
Councilor Pettit moved to approve the special exception and the motion was seconded. A roll call recorded five votes in favor and the motion carried. Planning staff reported no remonstrators appeared at the hearing.
The approval allows the petitioner to proceed with local permitting and any licensing/accreditation steps required for adult day‑care operations. Staff noted follow‑up items included transportation planning, coordination with referral partners and compliance with state adult‑day regulations.
