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Planning commission backs special‑exception referral to expand home daycare on Curry Ford Lane
Summary
The Gaithersburg Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a special exception to expand an in‑home daycare at 601 Curry Ford Lane from 8 to up to 12 children, with staff‑recommended conditions and reminders that state licensing and inspections govern operations.
The Gaithersburg Planning Commission on Feb. 4 recommended that the Board of Appeals approve a special‑exception petition to expand an in‑home daycare at 601 Curry Ford Lane from the by‑right capacity of eight children to between nine and 12 children.
Staff framed the referral as a land‑use review under Section 24‑12.7 of the city code, noting that state licensing and inspections regulate daycare operation and that the Board of Appeals reviews only conditions tied to the use at this location. Staff recommended approval of BOA 10/2025 with four conditions, as read into the record.
Property owner Valerie Brunova and applicant Irina Tricheisha described the daycare as a basement operation in a townhouse with no proposed exterior changes, no commercial signage and two on‑site parking spaces for parent drop‑off. Brunova said the business is a livelihood and asked the commission to support the request: “This is her livelihood,” she said.
The applicant said drop‑off and pickup would be staggered, limited to roughly 60–90 seconds, and that she typically uses visitor parking with two allotted spaces for parent use. Irina (first referenced by staff as Irina Tricheisha) told the commission the operation complies with state zoning, safety and licensing standards and that the state allows in‑home daycares to care for up to 12 children. Commissioners asked about staffing; the applicant confirmed that state rules require an aide or helper once enrollment reaches nine children.
After questions from commissioners about fencing, play area location and parking circulation, Commissioner (unnamed, Speaker 9) moved to recommend approval to the Board of Appeals based on exhibits, testimony and the staff report. The motion was seconded and the commission voted unanimously to forward the recommendation with the four conditions read into the record.
The Board of Appeals will consider the special‑exception application and any conditions the commission has recommended. The staff report and the city code sections referenced in the record describe the scope of review for the Board of Appeals.
