Planning Commission Approves In‑Home Preschool at 1895 East El Dorado Drive

The Holiday City Planning Commission voted unanimously Feb. 18 to approve a conditional‑use permit for the Treasure Chest Learning Academy, an in‑home preschool proposed at 1895 East El Dorado Drive.

Ashley McIntosh, the applicant, told the commission she plans to operate the preschool from a finished basement with a separate entrance. "My name is Ashley McIntosh, and I am, yes, applying for a conditional use permit in order to do a preschool in my home," she said, describing a drop‑off procedure in which parents remain in their cars while staff receive children.

Staff described the proposal as a home‑occupation preschool regulated under ordinance section 13.7672 and told commissioners the Technical Review Committee had reviewed the submission. Staff recommended approval with conditions addressing pickup and drop‑off logistics, parking and safety.

Commissioners focused on operational details they said would reduce neighborhood impacts. They asked about capacity and timing: McIntosh said state and city rules allow up to eight children with a single operator and up to 16 children with an additional employee; she said typical class times would be 9 a.m.–11:30 a.m. for a morning class and noon–2:30 p.m. for an afternoon class, and that she expected to follow Granite School District’s calendar.

To address concerns about street stacking and neighborhood access, commissioners requested that the applicant consider staggered 10‑minute pickup and drop‑off windows. The commission’s motion included the suggested mitigation as an encouraged practice.

Motion and vote Commissioner Prince moved to approve the conditional‑use permit based on staff findings and subject to the following conditions: two parking spaces in the driveway reserved for preschool use; allowance for a single outside employee (enabling up to 16 children if an employee is hired); no advertising signs; an initial fire and building code inspection and compliance; and that the applicant obtain a Holiday business license. The motion was seconded and passed by roll‑call vote.

What happens next With the permit approved, the applicant must complete the required inspections and secure a city business license before operating. Staff and commissioners said they expect enforcement to follow existing code procedures if neighbors complain, and they encouraged the applicant to implement staggered drop‑off/pick‑up times to mitigate traffic impacts.

Context Staff noted one emailed comment raising traffic and noise concerns from an adjacent neighbor; commissioners said they received multiple letters of support and that only one written objection had been submitted. The conditional‑use permit runs with the land and may be subject to review or revocation if conditions are violated.