Ontario church asks council for help to operate adult day care amid zoning confusion

Pastor Joshua Wicker and Greg Bizard of the Ontario Church of the Nazarene told the council they are seeking permission to run an adult day care on the church campus to serve homebound seniors, with transportation provided by bus to avoid neighborhood traffic impacts. "We would like the council and the mayor to please consider how we can work together to make this happen," Wicker said, explaining the program would operate Monday through Friday and provide meals, activities and classes.

Bizard, the church's property administrator, described multiple exchanges with the planning department: staff initially indicated a pathway to permit the service, then required a conditional use permit (CUP), then questioned the CUP's wording and returned mixed messages. He said the church already has a CUP they believe covers the activity but asked the council to consider rezoning, a variance or an explicit confirmation so the service can proceed. Council members did not give an immediate action at the meeting; the comments were recorded as public input for follow-up by planning staff.