Council hears proposal for 24-hour group child care at 5408 W. Electric Ave.

City planning staff presented a conditional-use permit application April 14 for a group child care center at 5408 W. Electric Avenue, a 5,000-square-foot former office/warehouse in a light-industrial zone.

"This is a former office warehouse, 5,000 square feet," Steve Sher, director of city planning, said during the hearing. He told the council the applicant is seeking to care for "up to at least 30, actually 25 children per shift" and to operate "around the clock" to support parents who work nontraditional hours.

Sher said the plan calls for a fenced play area behind the building protected by a 4-foot fence and bollards along the alley, staff parking behind the play area, and a drop-off and pick-up area along Electric Avenue. Parents would primarily use on-street parking; the applicant is requesting a loading zone from city engineering as part of the conditional-use permit.

The plan commission reviewed the proposal and "recommended approval subject to the conditions here," Sher said. He added that most required items are routine and will be completed before occupancy; there were "no objections to date." Council members asked technical questions about parking and whether the city already has any 24-hour child care centers; Sher said he was not aware of any and that this application may be the city's first.

The city did not take a vote on the permit at the meeting; the public hearing was closed after no members of the public asked to speak on the item. Next steps would follow the city's review process and any additional conditions set by the council should the application return for final action.