Planning commission approves home-based preschool at 1172 West 880 North with safety, parking conditions

The Pleasant Grove Planning Commission voted April 23 to approve a conditional use permit allowing a preschool to operate from a residence at 1172 West 880 North, with conditions aimed at limiting traffic and protecting neighborhood safety.

Jacob Hawkins of the Planning Department summarized the proposal, saying the applicant requests up to 12 children ages three to five in up to three weekday sessions and intends to operate as a major home occupation subject to the zoning rules. Hawkins told commissioners the applicant’s basement and fenced outdoor space would be used for activities, that the provider lives on the property, and that staff recommended approval subject to conditions including no on-street parking, one non-resident employee, and satisfying final planning, engineering and fire requirements.

Applicant Joanna Giles, who identified herself at the podium, described her 31 years as a teacher, including special-education experience, and outlined safety measures. “I have been a teacher for 31 years … we would walk them out to their cars or have their parents stop in the driveway,” Giles said, describing an enclosed porch staging area, two adults supervising pickup, and a nearly completed fence.

Commissioners focused questions on pickup and drop-off logistics. Several commissioners said they were concerned about children being escorted into and out of vehicles if cars are backing into the driveway from the street and asked whether the commission should require designated driveway parking or stricter staging rules. Hawkins said staff’s recommended condition prohibiting on-street parking was intended to keep children in the driveway rather than queuing along the road and noted enforcement would fall to code enforcement if neighbors reported violations.

After discussion, Commissioner Reading moved to approve the conditional use permit with modified conditions: (1) no on-street parking as part of the home occupation; (2) one non-resident employee permitted for the home occupation and all required licenses maintained; and (3) home-occupation rules in sections 10-21-4 and 10-15-27 apply, allowing side and rear-yard activities only if fenced and final planning, engineering and fire requirements are met. Commissioner Patton seconded, and the motion passed on a voice vote.

The permit allows the applicant to run multiple two-hour preschool sessions Monday through Friday with a maximum of 12 children per the request; staff noted home-occupation rules cap permitted children below 13 (including provider’s own children). The commission’s conditions emphasize on-site staging and fencing for outdoor activity; daily enforcement of staggered pickup times was described as the responsibility of code enforcement and neighbors to report if problems arise.

The commission closed the public hearing after reading a neighbor’s written letter that expressed concerns about traffic congestion, the neighborhood character, and the practical enforceability of staggered drop-off times. The permit takes effect according to local administrative procedures; commissioners did not specify an implementation date at the meeting.