Board approves conditional use permit for small K–5 school inside Independence Christian Church

The board approved a conditional use permit to allow a school to operate inside Independence Christian Church on Independence Road, northwest of Ashland. Planning staff said the proposal would initially enroll 25 kindergarten through fifth‑grade students, operate Tuesday through Thursday (with a potential future expansion to five days), and include a staffing pattern of two adults per 16 children (volunteers/parents). Hours cited in staff materials limited full teacher operation from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with class times roughly 9:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Staff recommended five conditions, including a limit on grades (K–5), a cap of 45 students without an amendment, hours of operation, and a requirement that simultaneous church and school events trigger a site‑plan amendment to ensure sufficient parking. The Planning Commission recommended approval 7–0 and no members of the public spoke against the request; the board approved the permit on a voice vote.