EASTON, Pa. — An Easton day care has gotten the go-ahead to convert a former residential area into commercial space, effectively doubling its capacity to care for children.
Miles of Learning Children’s Academy, 1229 Butler St., was approved by Easton Zoning Hearing Board for special exceptions and variances.
The changes will let owners and operators use formerly residential space on the second floor for additional commercial space.
They included a smaller lot — 18 feet wide as opposed to the normal 45 feet — and lot area — 2,160 square feet as opposed to the required 4,500 square feet.
Also, smaller side yard setbacks and a request for no additional parking spaces, as normally would be required.
“Since 2020, [when] we opened up the center downstairs on the first floor, it has prospered."Lillian Jacobo
Planners at their February meeting advised zoners to accept the request for exceptions and variances.
According to Miles of Learning Children’s Academy’s Lillian Jacobo — who appeared before zoners Tuesday with Andy Pineda — the additional space will let her bring in up to 19 more students and children.
“Since 2020, [when] we opened up the center downstairs on the first floor, it has prospered," Jacobo said. "It's been going on now for five years, and Easton has grown a lot.
"There's a lot of families, even within the families already in the center. We have moms that are pregnant. So we wanted to expand, and we felt it would be nice and prosperous for us to expand upstairs."
'Made it better for our city'
According to Jacobo, the building previously had significant damage, “and we did a lot of upgrades to the outdoors of the building and made it better for our city.”
The day care now offers all-day care for younger children, in addition to bus stop pickup and drop-off for students, and after-school care.
Asked by the board if she had considered buying another property to which to expand, Jacobo said she preferred to keep the current building due its closeness to clients and employees.
Jacobo said the facility now has four employees and cares for 16 children.
With approval to add the second floor as commercial space, the state Health and Human Services Department would determine how many more children the day care could accept.
Solicitor Robert Nitchkey requested Jacobo agree to a capacity of 35 total students, to which she responded, “I don’t think that will be a problem.”
