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Pierce County commissioners hear mixed reaction to rezoning request for Sunflower Childcare Center
Summary
At a June 3 public hearing, the Pierce County Board of Commissioners heard the owner of Sunflower Childcare Center seek rezoning to expand from 12 children toward a state-allowed limit he estimated at 30, while nearby residents raised concerns about traffic, parking, safety and precedent. The Joint Planning Board had recommended denial.
Pierce County Board of Commissioners Chairman Neal Bennett opened a public hearing June 3 on a request to rezone the Sunflower Childcare Center property at 4023 Meadow Circle in Blackshear from Single-Family to Commercial after the Joint Planning Board recommended denial.
Storm Peacock, identified in the hearing as the owner of Sunflower Childcare Center, told the commissioners the county needs more childcare options. He said the center currently serves 12 children and that he would like to expand “to as many as the state will allow,” which he said he believed to be about 30. Peacock said the property has room for four vehicles in the driveway and that he had neighborhood support.
“There's a need for childcare in our county, and I am trying to provide that,” Peacock said. A second speaker identified as Mike Peacock confirmed the site uses septic and is on city water.
Several Meadow Circle residents spoke in opposition. Brian Wagner of 4009 Meadow Circle said he feared an increase in traffic and that approving commercial zoning could encourage future conversions of houses to businesses. “I’m concerned about the increase in traffic,” Wagner said, adding that such changes would alter the residential character of the street.
Another resident identified as Thomas of 4019 Meadow Circle said he worried about children playing in yards and noted vehicles already speed through the neighborhood. Sarah Wall of 4026 Meadow Circle said pickup and drop-off would be problematic because the driveway cannot accommodate two cars at once. Tiffany Hewett of 4071 Meadow Circle told commissioners that children walk and ride bikes in the area and suggested the posted speed limit is too high for a small residential street.
Commissioner Troy Mattox asked whether there were any additional structures on the parcel; the owner replied there were none. The transcript does not record any motion, vote or final decision by the board at the hearing. Chairman Bennett adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
The request concerns parcel #045A033, a 0.46-acre lot. With the Joint Planning Board recommending denial and neighbors citing traffic, parking and safety concerns, the commissioners received public comment but did not record an outcome in the transcript. Any formal action on the rezoning would be documented in future commission minutes or a subsequent meeting agenda.
