Special use approved for daycare facility

Land deals, an agreement on theater usage and an alarm system were among the matters discussed by the Pontiac City Council at its meeting on Monday, Oct. 5.

But one of the bigger issues was the approval of a special-use permit for a daycare center in a residential area. The city has approved a request from the Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County to have the building at 420 W. Bennett St. designated for use as a daycare center despite being in an R-1 zoned part of the city.

R-1 allows for the special use of a daycare center. The property in question, which has had a variety of owners that includes Futures Unlimited, has no bedrooms and there are no showers in the bathrooms, according to the information provided to the city.

City Administrator Jim Woolford said before the meeting that age of the children for the facility should be from 0-4 years old.

The motion to allow the special use was 6-0 with Jayme Bradshaw, Jerry Causer, Frank Giovanini, Sarah Hoerner, Joe Rainbolt and John Wille voting in favor. There were only six of the nine sitting council members present.

The council also approved an agreement with the Vermillion Players for use of the Eagle Theater. Woolford said this is a yearly agreement, though there are some changes this time.

Woolford told the council that this is a five-year agreement and that revenue will be split at a 60-40 percentage favoring the Vermillion Players. This is giving the city a higher percentage.

Dylan Webster of the Vermillion Players gave thanks to the city for its continued support of the company.

In matters dealing with property, the city has acquired most of the empty lot at 319 W. Howard St. The property is located just east of the BP gas station.

The city approved the sale of land at 222 E. Timber to Rosemarie Quellhorst. Quellhorst put in a bid of $8,800 in September for the property that borders her current property at 228 E. Timber.

Quellhorst said that she wishes to build a garage on the property at a future time.

In a matter dealing with a garage, Nick Ehrgott is wanting to build a garage that exceeds the size limit. Greg Knowles, Building and Zoning director for the city, said that the actual size of the garage and the multiple lots of the property are not an issue.

The council approved this 5-1 with Bradshaw voting against.

In other matters, the council approved the subdivision of the Best Western Parking lot, which currently serves two hotels. … The city approved a fire alarm system for the waste water treatment plant at a cost of $10,000. … Community Enrichment Director Liz Vincent said that the city has been nominated for awards relating to Route 66.