Commission recommends CUP for home daycare at 18 Cable Drive, adds no-street-parking rule and defers staffing to state code

The Manassas Park Commission on June 10 recommended approval, with several modifications, of Conditional Use Permit CUP 2026-03 to allow a home daycare serving six to 12 children (excluding resident children) at 18 Cable Drive.

Administrator Barry told the commission the property is R‑1 (single-family) and that state regulations require a license for five or more children. Barry presented interior photos and a floor plan showing proposed play areas (living room as a playroom, a front bedroom designated as an infant room and a loft area upstairs), described an existing rear addition completed in 2025, and noted some perimeter fencing but no gate in the back yard. He said staff proposed operating hours of 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday–Friday, a maximum of 12 children (excluding resident children), and requirements for a signed parking policy, staggered arrivals (no more than two vehicles at once), staff parking to leave client drop‑off space available, a requirement that the applicant reside at the property, and compliance with all city and state laws.

Commissioners asked about a condition limiting nonresident assistants. Commissioner Beckett worried that a rigid local limit could force the applicant to return if the state's point/staffing rules change; after discussion staff agreed to strike the sentence imposing a numeric local cap and instead have operations follow the staffing requirements of Virginia C20-800-570. The motion that passed added a specific prohibition on parking in the street when picking up and dropping off children and added a nonbinding request that the applicant consider completing fencing in the rear yard to define the play area.

Neighbor Kayla Banza told the commission drivers sometimes stop in the middle of the street and block driveways during drop-off/pick-up and said she was concerned about children playing in the front yard on a street where cars "fly down." Administrator Barry said the applicant provided a signed parking policy and staff will work with the applicant to ensure clients understand where to park; he warned that repeated violations could lead to CUP revocation and said staff could add the no-street-parking language as a motion amendment.

The applicant at the meeting said they were willing to move play equipment to the backyard and were considering completing the rear fence and would work with staff on the application to complete that work.

Chair Lester Finkel moved to recommend approval of CUP 2026-03 with modifications (strike the local numeric cap in favor of state staffing requirements; add no on-street parking during drop-off/pick-up; request the applicant consider rear-yard fencing). The motion, made by Commissioner Michael Carrera and seconded by Commissioner Michael Beckett, passed unanimously (5–0). The recommendation will be forwarded to the governing body for final action.

The state license, parking policy and staff follow-up on any reported violations will be conditions during the CUP period.