Child care center approved for Southpointe at Folsom Ranch

Instead of a medical complex, city officials last month approved a two-story, 12,762 square-foot daycare center with a rooftop playground for Southpointe at Folsom Ranch. The Folsom Planning Commission unanimously approved a commercial design review for "The Learning Experience" child care center on the 10-acre Southpointe commercial center at 3608 East Bidwell Street on the corner of White Rock Road. "I think this is a use that is very needed," said Folsom Planning Commission Chair Eileen Reynolds. A two-story, 16,000 square-foot medical building was originally approved for "Parcel 7" on Southpointe maps and planned development permit. The Southpointe center is currently undergoing site improvements in the first phase. Parcel 7 is part of Phase 2 of the project, staff said. The applicant, Parag Laddha of NVK Learning, now presents a different building facade. The Florida-based daycare chain has another center in Elk Grove among more than a dozen in California, officials said. The new Folsom Ranch project includes a smaller ground floor area to make space for an outdoor playground and a rooftop playground. The daycare building design is one foot taller than the medical plan and includes modified roof forms, a fenced rooftop playground with covered play areas and sun-screened playground equipment. The front entry has moved slightly, and the building would contain fewer windows than the original plan. Signage has also been updated to reflect the new use. Building permits for work on Parcel 7 may not be pulled until all Phase 1 and 2 on-site improvements are completed, and Condition No. 1 has been included to reflect this requirement. An outdoor playground is also planned for the north side of the daycare. A total of 56 required parking spaces are provided, with 13 designated "Pick Up-Drop Off" spaces in front of the daycare. The Learning Experience staff will be licensed for 192 students, with a maximum of 23 employees. However, Learning Experience centers typically operate at around 80 percent maximum capacity and only once in a while can get a little higher, staff said. The peak drop-off hours in the morning will be 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., and the peak pick-up hours are between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., according to the report. "The parents will park their vehicles and are typically on site around 10 minutes maximum," TLE staff said in the report. Some commissioners were concerned with the compatibility and safety of the alphabet block pillars at the entrance. "We've done these all over the country and have not heard any concern with that at any other locations," said architect Scott Boduch. "I actually find this kind of fun. It's a neat use of branding. It isn't too obtuse," said Folsom Commissioner Mathew Herrera. "I don't see this as offensive."