Commission approves Horizon Education Centers child care permit and site plan for 1625 Cleveland Road

The Sandusky Planning Commission approved a similar‑main‑use permit and the site plan for a proposed commercial child care center at 1625 Cleveland Road after staff said the project meets code and furthers neighborhood economic development goals.

Jenny, a city planning staff member, presented the application submitted by North Coast Design Build on behalf of Horizon Education Centers. Staff described the site as three parcels on the north side of Cleveland Road in a general business zoning district and recommended approval because the proposed child care use is compatible with other permitted commercial uses, would not create greater noise, traffic, or nuisances than other allowed uses in the district, and meets applicable zoning and site‑plan standards. Staff noted no objections from other departments and said engineering had reviewed parking circulation and storm‑water calculations.

Mike Cloud, president of North Coast Design Build, identified himself and said the general business district is permissive and appropriate for a child care use. Staff and the applicant outlined site details: a new approximately 9,970 ft2 building, dark‑sky‑compliant lighting (3,000K down‑lighting and a full‑cutoff wall pack), a one‑way‑in/one‑way‑out parking circulation pattern with 30 parking spaces (24 standard, four van spaces, two ADA), and a private stormwater detention pond designed to drain to the city system (staff said it would typically drain within about 24 hours).

Commissioners questioned lighting specifications and the detention pond’s safety around children; staff and the applicant said the approved photometric calculations use full‑cutoff fixtures and the detention element will be ringed by landscaping and, where appropriate, fenced to limit child access. The applicant described the building as a prototype developed from prior projects and said the drop‑off circulation and parking have performed adequately in similar facilities.

A motion to approve the similar‑main‑use permit subject to staff conditions passed on roll call (Jake/Jay Castile, Tom Tucker, Pete McGory, Mike Zulof, Jim Jackson, David Miller voting “yes”). The subsequent site plan motion, also subject to staff conditions and contingent on obtaining required permits, passed by roll call (David Miller, Jim Jackson, Mike Zulof, Pete McGory, Tom Tucker, Jake Castile recorded as 'yes'). The approvals are conditioned on obtaining all required building and engineering permits prior to construction.