The civic group voted to limit the number of children at a proposed day care at 537 Sanger St.
The Lawncrest Community Association voted 25–0 in favor of a motion limiting the number of children at a proposed day care at 537 Sanger St. (at Colgate Street).
Crystal Little owns the property, which she has operated as Bounce Hair Salon since 2007, but she wants to convert it to a day care for up to 22 kids up to 6 years old.
Little needs a variance because the property is zoned residential. She’d like to use both floors to care for kids, with administrative offices and a kitchen on the second floor. Hours would be weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. She presented petitions from more than 50 supportive neighbors.
Some neighbors complained there are too many day cares in the area, and that they believe 22 kids are too many for a rowhome. Other neighbors cited parking and traffic issues.
A local minister accused opponents of the plan of “nitpicking” and being “selfish.”
The motion to support care for kids only on the first floor was a compromise.
A Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing is set for Feb. 14.
In other news from the Jan. 16 meeting:
• Sgt. Matthew Lowe, of the 2nd Police District, told the crowd that overall crime is down, but mentioned a rash of robberies at local MetroPCS stores.
Lowe spoke of a murder-suicide of a couple in their 40s on the 400 block of Passmore St. and a triple stabbing at Castello’s Pizza, 6700 Rising Sun Ave. The sergeant said there are two “extremely uncooperative” teenage complainants in the stabbing case, adding that the district attorney’s office will make the final decision on charges.
Lowe said he hopes the 2nd district will get some veteran officers once the current police academy classes graduate and transfer requests are granted.
• A representative from the Energy Coordinating Agency offered energy-saving tips and distributed winterization kits.
• Lawncrest Community Association will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. at St. William parish hall, Argyle and Robbins streets. ••
