Albany City Commission OKs child care facility ordinance

ALBANY — The Albany City Commission opened the door for group child care facilities in residential neighborhoods Tuesday by passing an ordinance that clearly defines such facilities and establishes zoning districts where they will be allowed by right or with conditions.

Albany-Dougherty Planning Director Paul Forgey said the city’s current zoning ordinances do not address such facilities.

“I’m not interested in opening these kinds of houses for people to make money,” Ward VI Commissioner Tommie Postell said during a public hearing held to discuss the proposed ordinance. “This should be about the health and welfare of the children.”

Forgey said the child care ordinance, passed 7-0 by the board, allows persons wishing to open such facilities the go-ahead to apply for state licenses. The location of such residences would have to meet city restrictions before an occupational license is granted.

Monica Perry told the commission she plans to seek a state license through her Inner Peace LLC nonprofit to open The Journey Home, a residence for up to six boys ages 8-18. The proposed home would be located at 825 W. Gordon Ave.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the commission approved 7-0 a resolution that will have the city pay for and install speed humps around Lake Loretta on East and West Edgewater Drive. Ward IV Commissioner Roger Marietta championed the proposal.

“I’d like to thank all the people involved in making this happen,” Marietta said before the measure was approved. “This was a team effort, and it’s going to make a difference to the people who live in that area.”

Marietta presented a petition that he said was signed by all residents who live around Lake Loretta and a number of other citizens who walk around the lake. City staff indicated the cost of the speed humps, which will be absorbed by the city, will be around $24,000.

The commission also approved a zoning request that will allow Kenneth Miller to move his auto repair facility from 813 21st Ave. to 122 Philema Road and OK’d an alcohol license application for Albany Bowl-a-Rama at 1200 W. Broad Ave.