Board grants use variance to Winnie's Play Cafe, a parent‑supervised children's play space

The Board of Adjustment approved May 4 a use variance allowing Winnie's Play Cafe to operate in a B2 neighborhood business district at 6368 Cottage Hill Road.

Applicant Jared McGraw described the business as an interactive play and learning space for children ages 6 months to 6 years in which parents remain with their children; he emphasized the enterprise is not a daycare. McGraw said the cafe opened in February without a business license because the operator assumed the prior tenant's use classification would apply. He told the board customers have responded positively and several hundred patrons have used the space.

Staff explained that the current Unified Development Code differentiates daycare (drop‑off) from parent‑supervised play facilities and that the use in question was classified as an indoor recreational facility. The board considered the distinction and whether the venue fits the city's neighborhood‑centric goals.

No members of the public spoke in opposition. After brief board discussion, a motion to approve the variance with findings A–C and conditions 1–3 passed by voice vote.

The approval is conditioned on the usual findings and requires the applicant to comply with municipal codes and any site‑plan or building permit requirements before continuing operations.