Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Child Care topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Applicant seeks special exception to run family child care home at 551 Gordon Street; board requests additional documentation
Summary
Ulus Emmanuel Martinez Estz asked the Reading Zoning Hearing Board for permission to operate a family child care home at 551 Gordon Street; the applicant told the board hours would be 6 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday and that the backyard play area is enclosed. Staff requested an updated floor plan, a zoning permit for the existing fence, and square‑footage measurements; state licensing will determine final adequacy.
Ulus Emmanuel Martinez Estz applied for a special exception Dec. 10 to operate a family child care home in an R3 residential district at 551 Gordon Street.
Under questioning the applicant said the household will include three family members living upstairs and that the proposed hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. When asked about outdoor space, the applicant and his spouse, Journey Burgos, said the backyard contains both a play area and a separate parking area; the applicant said the play area is enclosed and that parents who drive will use the rear parking area to drop off children while walking parents will use the front entrance.
Zoning staff member Emily Diaz Melendez told the board the materials submitted need updating: the floor plan must show accurate measurements, the fence in the backyard requires a zoning permit (staff said it appears to be installed already), and the board requested photographs and exact square footage for the play area. Board members noted the ordinance has a zoning minimum of 400 square feet for play areas; Emily said the state agency that issues child‑care licenses ultimately determines whether the play area satisfies licensing standards.
No members of the public testified for or against the application. The board closed the hearing and will issue a written decision at next month’s meeting.
Why it matters: The board must ensure that a family child care home meets zoning and safety standards, that outdoor play areas are adequate and secure, and that state licensing requirements will be met before permitting operation. The applicant remains responsible for obtaining any required permits and state approvals.
The board said it will mail its decision to the applicant after deliberation.
