Planning commission recommends approval of home daycare at 9927 Devonshire Street

The Lebanon City Planning Commission recommended that the city council approve a special-use permit allowing Sherry Watson to operate a licensed home daycare at 9927 Devonshire Street.

Sherry Watson told the commission she and her husband are licensed in Illinois; her current license allows eight children when she is alone and up to 12 children when her husband assists, with four of those slots possibly for school-age children. "We're looking to to be a blessing to other families," she said, explaining they recently moved to Lebanon and hold state licensing paperwork.

Commissioners discussed typical home-occupation limitations — no signage, parking as drop-off/pick-up rather than long-term spaces — and noted the special-use permit could include time-limited renewals; staff said a three-year renewal term is typical for home occupations. Minister Graham Watson, who identified himself and said he has worked with youth programs for years, spoke in support of the operation and offered character references.

A motion to recommend approval to the council was made, seconded and carried; the commission will forward the recommendation for council action at the next meeting.

Any permit granted by the council would include zoning conditions and licensing requirements the applicant must maintain; if the business ceases, the special-use permit would not automatically transfer to a subsequent property owner.