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Council introduces ordinance to align childcare rules with state law
Summary
Council introduced Ordinance 876 to update definitions and zoning rules for family/group child care and child care centers to match the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act; planning commission recommended approval 7‑0 after a public hearing.
The City Council introduced proposed zoning amendments intended to make local child‑care rules consistent with state requirements.
Robert Holly presented the changes as Ordinance 876, saying the planning commission and a stakeholder group including the Branch County Community Foundation, McKenna and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation reviewed an audit completed Aug. 23, 2024 and recommended clarifications to definitions, where family and group child care homes are permitted, and standards for larger child care centers. "Family home is the smallest of the two options," a presenter said, outlining capacity thresholds for family homes (1–7 children), group homes (6–12) and centers (capacity as licensed by the state).
The planning commission voted 7‑0 to recommend approval after a public hearing, and the council voted to introduce the ordinance for further consideration. A council member noted the amendments also separate adult day care from child care definitions and said the changes reduce perceived impediments to opening licensed child care providers.
Council did not adopt final ordinance language at the meeting; introduction sends the measure to subsequent readings and public notice as required by law.
