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Board approves variance to allow 75‑child day care in Cherry Creek with conditions
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Summary
The planning board approved a use variance allowing a child care center for up to 75 children at 811 Fairway Drive (Cherry Creek) despite a smaller outdoor play area; the board directed staff to improve recommendations and commitments before final clearance.
GOSHEN — The planning board approved a use variance that will allow a proposed child care center for up to 75 children in the Cherry Creek development at 811 Fairway Drive, despite the facility's planned outdoor play area falling short of the municipal 50‑square‑feet‑per‑child standard.
Planning staff said the proposal includes about 1,995 square feet of fenced outdoor play area, where the ordinance calculation for 75 children would require about 3,750 square feet. Staff recommended approval while noting state child care licensing focuses on how many children are outside at any one time; the applicant said their operational plan would limit the number of children outdoors simultaneously.
Janet Whelan Couch, executive director of Campus Center for Young Children (CCYC), said CCYC expects the highest number of children out at one time would be 20 and that the center plans two separate playgrounds for different age groups. She said CCYC operates the program and described a long waiting list for care. She told the board the center hopes to occupy the site in early summer 2027.
A board member moved that staff recommendations and commitments be improved; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote. The motion and subsequent record indicate the variance was approved subject to improved/clarified staff recommendations and any state licensing requirements. Staff will finalize any additional conditions and ensure compliance with state licensing before approving zoning clearance.
