Commission approves conditional use for small primary/elementary school at 501 S. 16th Street

The Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional-use application from Garrett Family Trust to use the building at 501 South 16th Street as a primary and elementary school serving up to 35 students per day, operating Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with students divided into rotating cohorts.

Staff told the commission the building is 5,322 square feet and the proposal includes six classrooms with a maximum of 35 students per day; staff recommended approval contingent on compliance with the submitted development plan. Applicant Perry Garrett described the drop-off plan and playground location: “The playground's gonna be on the lot next to it… it'll be fenced in at some point, and probably, not right now, but probably the next month or 2,” and said the site already has ADT security and planned camera coverage. Commissioners asked about parking, staffing and whether a formal traffic study was required; staff said city engineering did not require a traffic study because the maximum daily attendance is limited.

After commissioners and members of the public questioned parking and security arrangements, a motion to approve with staff comments passed 7–0. The approval allows the school to operate under the stated limits; any expansion would require a new development plan and additional reviews.