Albion planning panel approves special‑use permit for daycare at 114 Erwin Avenue over neighbor objections

The Albion Planning Commission on Monday approved a special‑use permit allowing a family‑group daycare at 114 Erwin Avenue to care for up to 12 children, despite multiple neighborhood objections about safety, noise and parking.

At a public hearing, neighbors described the corner lot as small and raised specific concerns about outdoor play areas, driveway blocking and required setbacks. "There will be an increase in traffic," said Tom Max of 110 Erwin Avenue, a lifelong resident who told commissioners the limited separation between his house and the proposed play area would "negatively affect the character of the neighborhood." Karen Yankee, who said she has lived on Erwin Avenue for 52 years, told the commission, "I just think it's not an appropriate spot for a daycare center," citing road speeds and narrow yard space.

Applicant Mariah Bridal, who identified herself as the owner and operator of an existing Hillside Daycare in Albion, told commissioners the downstairs of the duplex at 114 Erwin would serve as the childcare space and that the family has experience operating licensed care. "We actually have a day care in Albion, and we've been pretty successful for the last... 2½ years," Bridal said, adding that Hillside recently earned a high state inspection score. She said the Erwin site would be fenced, staffed to state ratios and would not accept children until required fencing and state licensing inspections were complete.

Staff summarized the application as a family‑group childcare in an R‑2 zone at the corner of Erwin and Clinton and provided an executive summary and a model motion template for commissioners to use. Terry, the planning staff member presenting the report, told the panel the two primary local concerns to resolve were loading/unloading arrangements and fence placement given the corner lot's clear‑vision requirements.

Commissioners asked the applicants to explain how they would meet fencing and setback rules and to clarify on‑site supervision. The applicant said the site has roughly 1,000 square feet on the lower level for children, would segregate sleeping and play areas, maintain a 1:6 adult‑to‑child ratio for small children and would use a locked gate and fencing that connects to an existing neighbor fence on the east side. "We're not having any kids until the fence is done," the applicant said.

Several neighbors pointed to language in the city zoning code and to a section cited during public comment that describes minimum distances and screening for childcare activity areas. Bruce Nelson, who lives across the street, told commissioners the property appears to fall within setback limitations cited in "section 7" of the code and questioned whether the proposed outdoor area can meet the requirement that play areas be fenced and screened.

After hearing public comment and staff recommendations, commissioners debated precedent and community need. One commissioner pointed to a previous approval on Eaton Street as a similar case; the mayor (no name given in the transcript) said he receives calls about childcare availability and concluded there is a local need. A motion to approve the special‑use permit was made and the commission approved it by voice vote; the transcript records the motion passing but does not record a roll‑call tally of yes/no votes.

The permit allows the property owner to seek state licensing and to operate with the conditions that local ordinances and state licensing rules be met; staff noted fence placement and loading/unloading layout will be verified by the city before or as part of permitting. The commission closed the hearing and moved the item to action, approving the request to allow the expanded family‑group daycare at 114 Erwin Avenue.

Next steps: the applicants must obtain any required city fence permits and pass state daycare licensing inspections before full operations at the 12‑child capacity.