Commission approves Clay Street daycare rezoning despite neighbors’ safety and drainage concerns

The Clay County Board of County Commissioners approved a rezoning request for a proposed Kid City USA daycare at 1153 Clay Street after hearing residents’ concerns about traffic and drainage.

Applicant representatives said the 1.65‑acre site will be used for a roughly 9,000‑square‑foot daycare building with a 6,000‑square‑foot outdoor play area, 45 parking spaces and drop‑off procedures intended to limit curb stacking. "We're licensed for 165, but all 165 children are not there at the same time," said Jerry Walker of Kid City USA, describing staggered enrollment, VPK windows and peak drop‑off estimates; he said the busiest 30‑minute morning window might see about 13 car arrivals.

Nearby residents told the board they fear more traffic backup on U.S. 17 and flooding from increased runoff: "It takes me a good 5 minutes because you have to wait for the traffic light to change ... I don't have time to sit there an hour to try to get out on 17," said one resident. Others cited persistent drainage problems in the area and warned of greater risk if large paved areas are added.

County staff noted that transportation impacts are evaluated during development‑review engineering and that stormwater and drainage must comply with water‑management‑district permits and county standards; staff said access would be from Clay Street and that lighting, circulation and stormwater will be reviewed when a site plan application is submitted.

After questions and a public hearing, the board voted to approve the rezoning and the planned site concept, 5–0. Commissioners and staff emphasized the next stage will require civil engineering and permitting to resolve the drainage and sight‑distance issues raised by residents.