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Council approves rezoning at 910 North Liberty despite staff floodplain concerns
Summary
Harrisonburg council voted unanimously to rezone 910 North Liberty Street from M‑1 to B‑2C so a 2,300 sq. ft. building can be leased to Little Roots Early Learning Center; staff flagged floodplain, parking and traffic issues and said licensing and floodproofing will be required before a child‑care operation opens.
Harrisonburg City Council unanimously approved a rezoning request on Oct. 14 to allow a 2,300‑square‑foot building at 910 North Liberty Street to convert from a veterinary clinic to a child‑care center.
Adam Fletcher, the city’s director of community development, told the council the applicant seeks B‑2C zoning with two proffers: prohibiting funeral homes, vehicle fuel stations and drive‑through facilities, and agreeing to a traffic review process that would trigger a traffic impact analysis if the proposed use generated 100 vehicle trips. Fletcher also said the parcel is substantially within the city’s mapped floodplain and that the city’s engineer identified turning‑radius and entrance‑width conflicts that will require changes at the time of site plan review.
“Because the site is entirely encompassed within the floodplain … staff does not endorse the idea of locating a child‑care center on this parcel due to the flooding risks,” Fletcher said, while noting the rezoning request otherwise aligns with the comprehensive plan and that the planning commission recommended approval 5–0.
Erin Layman, counsel for the property owner Anacera and for Little Roots, said the prospective operator is pursuing child‑care licensure with the Virginia Department of Education and will submit building plans, emergency procedures and floodplain applications as required. “They in no way … want to have any children in danger,” Layman said.
Council members and speakers from the public raised questions about mold and long‑term building condition if flooding occurs. A local resident urged the council to consider indoor‑air and mold remediation planning for any facility that floods. Council members emphasized that rezoning alone does not permit immediate operation; building permits, licensing and any required floodplain development permits will be required before a child‑care program can open.
The motion to approve the rezoning carried on roll call with all members voting aye.
