Zoning board approves relocation and expansion of Southwest Street daycare with parking and licensing conditions

The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board approved an application to convert 410 Southwest Street from a single‑family dwelling to a group childcare, granting the special exception after hearing testimony from the applicant and staff and conditioning approval on compliance with city and state licensing and provision of off‑street parking.

The applicant said she has run a family daycare for four years at another address and intends to move her residence and operation to 410 Southwest Street if approved. She told the board she currently holds a license for six children (in shifts) and, if authorized as a group childcare, would expand staffing to three people and serve roughly seven to 12 children at a given time in staggered shifts. The applicant said she purchased the property in February 2026 and will seek the necessary state inspections.

City staff and the zoning supervisor reviewed a contractor estimate from Dromo Paving for two additional parking pads (dimensions provided in the contractor quote) and said dimensions appeared sufficient on a preliminary review but would require verification by city engineering. Staff reminded the board that on‑street parking cannot substitute for a designated private pick‑up/drop‑off area and recommended conditioning approval on installation of off‑street spaces and compliance with licensing. A board member moved to approve the special exception with those conditions; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The applicant was directed to obtain applicable state and city licenses and any necessary permits before changing the property.