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Council approves special-use permit for Little Tigers Academy at former elementary school
Summary
Council approved a specific-use permit allowing Little Tigers Academy to operate childcare in the old elementary school building after staff described security and safety measures and the applicant described staggered playground times, single-use restrooms and cameras.
The Gunner City Council granted a specific-use permit on July 17 to Little Tigers Academy to operate a childcare facility in a wing of the former elementary school building.
Planning staff explained the property has split zoning and that a specific-use permit is required for a childcare facility at that location. Staff noted the applicant will have access to the playground and indoor space and confirmed state licensing and distance requirements were reviewed. Jessica Marino, the applicant, described safety measures implemented at the site: a glass storefront and partition separating the childcare wing from the rest of the building, single-use restrooms in the cafeteria to avoid public restroom mixing, staggered playground times and staffing patterns so only one class uses outdoor play at a time. She said, "We are not using these restrooms anymore" (referring to the building27s public restrooms) and described walkie-talkies, cameras and head counts as part of safety protocols.
Council discussed whether ordinance language should cap enrollment; staff said state licensing governs capacity and the planning commission had recommended tying the permit to the applicant. The council voted to approve the SUP with the condition tying it to the applicant and Little Tigers Academy; the motion passed 3-1.
