Day care centers could operate under a more streamlined permitting process in more city zones under an ordinance given initial approval by members of the Soldotna City Council during their Wednesday night meeting.

The legislation considered by council members, if approved, would amend sections of Soldotna’s zoning code such that day care centers — which provide child care for five or more children — would be considered a permitted principal use in Soldotna’s rural residential and in Soldotna’s single-family/two-family residential district.

Currently, day care centers operating in those districts must obtain a conditional use permit from the city.

Soldotna Director of Economic Development and Planning John Czarnezki wrote in a Jan. 10 memo to council members that expanding the city zones in which day cares are considered principal use would allow for quicker permit processing and reduce costs for prospective day care operators while still maintaining the city’s current standards regarding day cares.

“Staff recognizes the importance of quality day care to parents, their children, and to the city’s workforce and our economic well-being,” Czarnezki wrote. “We also know that there are few state-licensed day cares in Soldotna which makes it difficult for parents seeking childcare while they are at work or at school.”

Day cares are already considered a principal permitted use in Soldotna’s multifamily, limited commercial, commercial and institutional zoning districts, and therefore do not require a conditional use permit or approval by the planning commission. Day cares in the zones affected by the ordinance would still be required to obtain an administrative permit.

“Access to high quality daycares can change children’s lives, help families escape poverty and improve our local economy,” the proposed ordinance says. “The availability of local, state-licensed daycares has declined and has a direct impact on our workforce and economic well-being.”

Czarnezki said Friday that there is currently one existing day care establishment in Soldotna operating with a conditional use permit. That establishment, he said, would continue operating under their existing permit and would not be affected by the proposed ordinance.

The Soldotna City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on the ordinance during their Jan. 24 meeting.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.