Hearing addresses fence, lighting and noise-study measures for proposed daycare

The hearing reviewed several conditions meant to protect child safety and minimize neighborhood impacts. Staff recommended the outdoor play area be limited to daylight hours and specifically recommended hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the applicant indicated agreement to abide by those limitations.

Lighting and fencing were also discussed. Staff recommended exterior lighting be extinguished by 11:00 p.m. or within an hour of facility closing; the applicant stated they planned to extinguish lighting earlier (one witness said lighting would be off by about 7:11 p.m.). Fence height and detail prompted differing references in the record: a planner testified the playground fence would be six feet while the onsite Kiddie Academy witness later said the playground fence would be five feet with a four-foot perimeter fence around the building and that gates would be alarmed and connected.

A noise study in the record indicates daytime transportation noise levels around the site of up to about 65 dBA; parties noted that the outdoor play area will not be used at nighttime to avoid higher noise exposure. The applicant agreed to supply fence construction drawings and photometric details on revised construction drawings for staff review.