Commission debates lowering daycare outdoor play‑area requirement for proposed Goddard expansion

The Planning Commission discussed a proposed text amendment that would change the town zoning code’s fenced outdoor area requirement for daycare facilities from 100 square feet per licensed child to 50 square feet per licensed child, a standard the applicant says is used by many municipalities and aligns with state licensing rules.

The applicant and design team said the change would allow a planned 2,800‑square‑foot expansion for a Goddard School site and that using the licensed‑capacity metric is simpler for administration. "We're asking for a change to 50 square foot, per student enrolled in the school," said Brian Nicholson of Michael Graves (the applicant’s consultant). Several residents urged holding Farragut to its higher standard: "Do not change the standards that we have," said Melissa Schell, a nearby resident who said she pays premium rates for perceived higher local standards.

Commissioners expressed reluctance to lower a long‑standing town standard. "The town of Farragut, we've never set our standards based upon the lowest common denominator ... I'm not willing to change our standards," Commissioner Myers said, citing fairness to existing local childcare providers and quality expectations. Staff said the discussion is a first step in a text‑amendment process and recommended the commission request more data on local childcare demand and the precise burden for the applicant before a final vote.