Planning Commission backs rezoning to let childcare lease space at 910 N. Liberty, forwards to City Council

The Harrisonburg Planning Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 10, 2025 to forward a rezoning request for 910 North Liberty Street to the City Council with a favorable recommendation, clearing the way for the property to be leased to Little Roots Early Learning Center.

Staff told the commission the 26,800-square-foot parcel is currently zoned M-1 (general industrial) and would be rezoned to B-2C (general business, conditional). Staff said the applicant plans to remodel the existing 2,300-square-foot building for childcare use with a maximum enrollment of 30 children and operating hours of about 06:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. "The proposed rezoning from M-1 to B-2C does align with the comprehensive plan's land use guide and staff recommends approval," staff said during the presentation but also cautioned the site lies within the flood plain and a portion is in the floodway.

Staff identified design constraints that must be resolved before children are on site: the existing entrance width and parking configuration exceed city standards and would require changes to meet the Department of Community Standards Manual (DCSM), fence work on the property was installed without a floodplain permit and may need to be removed or replaced, and the most recent elevation certificate indicates the first-floor bottom is "not fully elevated above the base flood elevation." In response, the applicant's attorney, Erin Layman, said the parties are "very concerned about safety for the children" and will address required upgrades and licensing requirements with the Department of Social Services. "They are very aware of the fact that they're in the flood plain and they do want to make, you know, whatever necessary adjustments in order to make sure that the children are properly, or protected safely," Layman said.

Commissioners stressed that the building-permit process, flood permitting and DSS licensure will control whether the center can operate and how many children can be approved based on final layouts. Commissioner comments noted the city's need for child-care slots. The motion to approve the rezoning request as presented by staff passed on a roll-call vote and the item will be considered by City Council on Oct. 14 with a favorable recommendation.

The record also contains a conflict-of-interest disclosure: one commissioner announced recusal from the Anacera matter because Anacera is a client of the commissioner's law firm; that disclosure was recorded in the public minutes.