Kiddie Academy gains OK from Planning Board

JACKSON - Kiddie Academy at Jackson Crossing has received approval from the Planning Board.

Speaking at the Dec. 18 meeting, Planning Board engineer Douglas F. Klee said the applicant sought approval to establish a day care facility for children in the Jackson Crossing shopping center on South Hope Chapel Road near the intersection of East Veterans Highway.

Klee said child care is a permitted use at the shopping center and there is no parking generated by the day care facility. He noted there was no objection by the municipality to the application.

He said there were no problems with the application, but noted he did have some suggestions as far as additional security in the proposed outdoor fenced-in play area.

Attorney John Paul Doyle, representing the applicant, said, "We're here for the change from a total retail that this 10,800-square-foot portion of Jackson Crossing will be used as a day care center, which under state law is a permitted use."

A letter from Klee noted that the modification from retail use to a day care facility would not create any concerns regarding traffic circulation and that approval was recommended.

However, the issue of the sufficiency of the fencing near the play area was questioned.

"I don't think at the time it was written it was clear from us to him that there will be a 2-foot high block retaining wall to protect that area," Doyle said. "That would be deemed engineeringly sufficient."

Klee also raised the point of after-hours use of the day care center.

"The facility will only be used for permitted uses, school and child care functions, like an annual graduation, parent-teacher conferences, holiday celebrations and obviously the grand opening," Doyle said. "That is why we are seeking administrative approval."

Board member Blanche Krubner said she was in favor of having children cared for in the same area where their parents work. As to the issue of the fence, she suggested a green coated chain link fence in the playground area instead of black coated fencing.

"I think it would be a little more humane," Krubner said.

Doyle said he believed the children would be concentrating on the play equipment, but said a more conducive color for the fencing could be suitable.

With no comments from the public, the board voted 9-0 to approve the application with green fencing.

- Dave Benjamin