Commission approves conditional use permit for day nursery at Central Assembly of God despite neighbor safety concerns

The commission voted to approve a conditional use permit allowing Central Assembly of God to operate a day nursery at 1222 North Eighteenth Street that staff said would serve up to 21 children.

Staff described the city code distinction between a day care and a day nursery — the threshold is above 10 children — and recommended approval with no conditions. "They are proposing to service up to 21 children at this location," staff said, and "we are recommending approval with no conditions." The presentation noted the church will use existing campus space for classrooms and staff areas and has obtained a fence permit for an outdoor play area.

The permit drew a public comment from nearby resident Christine Raines, who said she lives adjacent to the church on the alley and worried about traffic and safety. "People drive through there like it's a city street now, and I'm concerned about more traffic going by my house," Raines said, citing late-night activity, honking and thefts near the property.

Commissioners asked staff several operational questions: staff said the proposal likely targets pre-K children (the statement of purpose did not specify ages), hours of operation were not listed in the materials and state childcare rules govern many operating details. Staff said the site has two access points — the alley and Beatty Street — and an on-site parking lot on the south side with roughly a dozen spaces; the petitioner indicated plans to add cameras for security.

A motion to approve the permit passed on a roll-call vote with unanimous recorded 'Yes' responses from Tim Doyle, Pat Lilly, Tim Lager, Penny Poor and Allison Shannon. Staff said both items considered at the meeting will be forwarded to City Council; the deadline to submit materials to council was noted as tomorrow.

The City Council will consider the commission's recommendation; the transcript does not include a City Council hearing date or a final effective date for the permit.