Town permit expires in six months
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, May 13 — During Monday night’s regular meeting, the Luray Council voted, 5-0, (with one abstention), to give Every Child Early Learning Center six months to obtain its certification from the Virginia Department of Education, or lose its special use permit issued by the Town to operate a childcare center at St. Marks Lutheran Church on East Main Street.
“We have not opened yet, but we’re making great progress,” Jenna Smith told council members. Smith plans to manage and operate the facility, and said during Monday night’s meeting that a “couple of items were flagged” during a recent inspection for state licensure. She said she has 60 days to respond and address these items with state inspectors.
The council approved a special use permit (with multiple conditions) to operate a childcare facility at 201 East Main Street on Nov. 13, 2023. One of the conditions of that permit was that it would be “reviewed for suitability after a six (6) month period had elapsed.” Upon review this week, the council noted that Every Child Early Learning Center had still not opened its doors.
“Based on an email from the applicant/permit holder on April 22, 2024, she informed the Town that the facility has not opened yet as they are awaiting their license from the Virginia Department of Education,” reads a report to the council. “An email from a church Board Member on April 19, 2024, indicated that the Church still supports the proposed use, and they understand that the applicant/permit holder is still actively pursuing the necessary items to meet the Special Use Permit conditions noted.”
In a motion made by Vice Mayor Ron Vickers, the permit will expire in November — one year after issuance — if Every Child Early Learning Center has still not obtained the required licensure from the state Department of Education.
“I want to give these folks time to get their business going,” Vickers said, “but we can’t do anything without a state license.”
Councilman Alex White once again abstained on the issue of the childcare facility without specifically stating why. Vickers’ motion passed, 5-0. The motion also included a six-month review, if the facility gains state certification and begins operations. Staff voiced some concern over making the review of special use permits a regular practice of council.
“We’re supposed to be reviewing all the time,” Town Manager Bryan Chrisman noted of Town staff.
The existing permit allows a maximum student capacity of 55, with the potential to increase in the future to 75. The applicant must have a lease for off-site parking, maintain an alleyway that will be utilized behind the church, and maintain access and use specifically to North Deford Avenue and Williams Street. The permit is specific to the applicant and does not transfer.
Pre-school and childcare facilities are required to obtain a Special Use Permit per Town Code, which defines them as “A building or structure, however designated, other than public school facilities operated for the purposes of providing care, guidance, education or training, or any part thereof, to any child five years old or younger during only part of the 24-hour day for more than five children not of common parentage. Such facilities shall meet all applicable regulations of the department of social services, the department of health, and the state and local building codes. “Such facilities shall meet the requirements of section 506.9, which requires on-site parking for all employees.”
Council plans to review the childcare facility permit again at their meeting on Nov. 12.
For more information on the Town of Luray,
visit https://www.townofluray.com/
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