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Commissioner Fox stated that the State Fire Marshal's website talks about assisted <br />egress in case of a fire. She cited the many facilities in town that are licensed, <br />including the daycare facilities at Mohr and Lydiksen Elementary Schools. She <br />noted that it was indicated that the main use of this facility is tutoring for families with <br />working mothers and inquired if this, by definition, was childcare. <br />Mr. MacDonald replied that every tutoring school and every school is childcare by <br />definition. He stated that the issue at hand is what the State's regulatory <br />requirement is, and the State has made it clear that what it is really interested in and <br />where there is no exemption available is places that have children aged four years <br />and nine months and younger; the State allows for the exemption beyond that. He <br />reiterated thatthe applicant is willing to apply for a childcare license if the <br />Commission so desires. He inquired, however, if this would then trigger putting in <br />firewalls in the facility. He stated that the applicant has athree-year lease and would <br />then have to rebuild the entire facility to meet a new building code, which they do not <br />want to do. He indicated that the facility should still be recognized as a tutoring <br />school under the zoning code, even if the Commission requires the applicant to <br />obtain a license. <br />In response to Commissioner Fox's inquiry regarding whetherthe building was an <br />A3 type for church assembly, Mr. MacDonald suggested that she discuss this matter <br />with the Building and Safety Division, stating that they when the Fire Inspector come <br />out to inspect the building, the applicant inquired if the facility met the requirements <br />for the proposed use, and the Fire Marshal had indicated that the building met the <br />required standards. He added that they are willing to do anything that is within <br />reason. <br />Commissioner Fox inquired if the building was sprinklered, and Mr. MacDonald <br />confirmed that it was. <br />Commissioner Fox stated that many letters have been received classifying the <br />facility as an academic school. She inquired if he considered this a tutoring facility <br />or a school. Mr. MacDonald replied that the City's zoning code does not have a <br />definition for a tutoring school, and, therefore, it would mean whatever policymakers <br />make it to mean. <br />Chair Blank stated that he would like to see the Minutes of the prior approval. He <br />inquired if, other than the number of students increasing from 58 to a maximum of <br />90, there are any differences between what they are doing with their current <br />operation and their future operation. Ms. Zheng replied that nothing would change. <br />Mr. MacDonald disclosed that Ms. Zheng had inherited the use permit in that she <br />leased the church after it had obtained a use permit to provide for after-school care. <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, December 10, 2008 Page 12 of 35 <br />