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Hammond council approves two daycare variances and updates development code
Summary
The Hammond City Council on March 10 approved variances allowing two new daycares and adopted a narrow change to the Unified Development Code that clarifies restaurant definitions and references section 6.3.10. Council noted the approvals were processed under an existing moratorium that permits variance requests.
The Hammond City Council voted March 10 to grant two variances permitting new daycare facilities and to adopt a minor amendment to the city’s Unified Development Code (UDC).
Raquel Collins received approval to open a daycare at 101 Elida Drive, Unit A in District 4 after staff explained the application had been paused earlier by a 365-day moratorium on group housing and related uses but remained eligible for a variance request. Regina Showers Gordon was likewise granted a variance to open daycare operations at 1809 and 1901 North Morrison Boulevard in District 5. Council members recorded votes in favor of both ordinances during the final adoption portion of the meeting.
The council also adopted an amendment to the UDC to correct and relocate language on restaurant uses and to add the missing cross-reference to section 6.3.10, clarifying that city approval of a restaurant does not automatically approve separate bar or lounge areas. Staff said the change moves explanatory text into the specific uses section for clarity rather than changing substantive requirements.
Council discussion emphasized process points: staff explained that the moratorium passed in late 2025 paused processing but allows individuals to seek variances; council members asked whether any substantive rule changes had been enacted since the moratorium and were told none had been completed.
Votes and immediate next steps: each ordinance was moved, seconded and approved in the meeting’s final-adoption sequence. Council members offered brief congratulatory remarks to applicants and noted that final inspections and any outstanding conditions would apply before a facility could open.
Actions recorded from the meeting include formal approvals of the two daycares and the UDC update; staff will finalize administrative steps and record the ordinance amendments in the city code.
