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Council approves zoning change to allow childcare in institutional facilities
Summary
The council unanimously adopted zoning amendments (Case Z-1551-26) to permit 'childcare center shared institutional facility' co‑located with qualifying institutional uses, intended to expand childcare capacity and allow existing providers to return to DeSoto sites.
The council considered zoning case Z‑1551‑26 to add a 'childcare center shared institutional facility' use and to amend childcare definitions and operational standards. Assistant Director Jacqueline Colton explained the change would permit commercial childcare co‑located with eligible institutional uses (schools, community centers, churches) and introduce operational standards such as restricted outdoor activity hours and on‑site queuing to limit traffic impacts.
Speakers from Windsor Park Baptist Church urged the council to approve the change so an existing childcare provider displaced from a city‑purchased site could return to DeSoto. Gary Reid, representing the church, said their facility "meets [the] standards exactly" and urged approval; Paul Dreyer emphasized keeping local childcare businesses in DeSoto. The council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance.
