Board of Adjustment approves Little People's Academy expansion in Idaho Falls

The Idaho Falls Board of Adjustment voted to approve a conditional use permit for Little People's Academy, allowing the long-established childcare provider to incorporate two nearby houses into its campus.

Suzanne Lund, owner of Little People's Academy, told the board the business has operated in the city for 48 years and applied to formally permit the buildings at 527 and 557 Northridge so they meet commercial and licensing requirements. "We've been in business for 48 years," Lund said, describing plans to remove lead and asbestos and to bring the structures up to commercial, building and fire-code standards.

A staff member presenting the report told the board the lots are in the original Eagle Rock townsite and were rezoned to Traditional Neighborhood (TN) in 2018. "The staff has reviewed the application plans. It is consistent with the comprehensive zoning code and the city's comprehensive plan and recommends approval of the CUP," the staff member said, noting that the CUP itself does not relieve the applicant of building- and fire-code obligations.

The board asked about capacity and occupancy limits. Lund said Little People's Academy's current enrollment is about 195 and that the two houses have occupant-load figures near 25 and 30; she said the center's larger building (about 110 capacity) will absorb many children during the transition and that the change would mainly formalize space already used by the program.

During public testimony, Theresa Stockwell, a resource and referral specialist with I Am Star Bridal who works with childcare providers, spoke in favor of the expansion and urged use of state and training resources to maintain quality. "I fully encourage the additional use of these resources for expansion of their childcare," Stockwell said.

A nearby resident, Mike Suebert of 495 Northridge, raised neutral-to-oppositional concerns about parking, safety and the neighborhood's historic character, saying residents would oppose any future expansions that alter the structures. "If there are plans to expand the facilities... I will be opposed to further expansion," Suebert said, pointing to narrow streets, unsafe parking behavior and the role the homes play in the historic district.

City staff clarified the regulatory situation for historic districts: the city manages a historic preservation commission as a resource but staff said the city's districts do not carry a regulatory enforcement arm that would prevent a private owner from modifying or demolishing a property. Staff also noted that state changes to daycare licensing prompted a lot-by-lot review of the campus and the need for the CUP.

In rebuttal, Lund said the academy held a neighborhood meeting, has added parking and issues parking passes for employees, and that facilities staff have adjusted exterior lighting in response to neighbor complaints. She said architects and structural and fire engineers are working on the renovations to meet code while attempting to preserve the buildings' historic appearance.

After closing the public hearing, a board member moved to approve the conditional use permit; the motion was seconded and the board approved the CUP by voice vote. The board then separately moved and approved the written reason statement and findings that capture the criteria and standards relied on for the decision.

The decision allows Little People's Academy to use the two houses at 527 and 557 Northridge as part of its childcare operations, subject to meeting building, fire and licensing requirements and any applicable code standards noted by staff. The board did not record a roll-call vote; approval was taken by voice. The board also approved the written statement of relevant criteria and standards that documents the decision.