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Church pastor proposes child‑care center at 116 Southwest Street; commission flags traffic and referral items
Summary
The pastor and owner of a large church building at 116 Southwest Street proposed leasing space for a child‑care center; staff recommended denial of the variance and the commission lacked a quorum, so the Zoning Hearing Board will review. Commissioners asked about capacity, past approvals and drop‑off logistics.
Anthony CE, who identified himself as the pastor and owner of the building at 116 Southwest Street, told the York City Planning Commission he seeks to lease space to a child‑care operator to help offset operating costs.
Staff summarized Case 24‑2026‑Z‑V16 and recommended denial of a variance to permit a child‑care center in the UN2 district under section 1304.01‑3.06.001. Anthony CE said the building is approximately 25,000 square feet, that it had previously been approved for up to 90 students in 2018, and that the facility sheltered up to 35 children during the pandemic. He said the church pays about $4,000 per month to heat the building in winter and wants to lease space to help cover costs. The applicant said the daycare area would be separated from other uses and argued there is adequate space.
Commissioners asked how many children were housed during the pandemic, how many children the space could accommodate now, and how drop‑off and pick‑up logistics would be handled. The applicant said the church could house dozens of children and indicated it could separate spaces and add staff as needed; staff advised that any curb‑use or signage changes for drop‑off would need the Traffic Safety Committee's review. With no quorum present, the Planning Commission did not take a vote and forwarded the record to the Zoning Hearing Board.
The Traffic Safety Committee review and any state or city licensing requirements will be necessary next steps if the Zoning Hearing Board approves the variance.
