by April Scheinoha
Reporter
Plans are progressing for Discovery Place Early Learning Center to open another site in Thief River Falls. At its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 20, the Thief River Falls City Council considered several matters related to Discovery Place’s plans.
City Council approved a conditional use permit for Discovery Place to operate a daycare facility with 13 or more kids at Valley Assisted Living.
In an interview with The Times, Discovery Place Director Chelsea Moeller said the daycare center tentatively plans to open in May or June 2025 at the Valley Assisted Living site. Renovations need to be completed at the site, and the Minnesota Department of Human Services for Children needs to approve a license after the renovations have been completed. Discovery Place will continue to operate its current location along Nora Street in Thief River Falls.
At the Valley Assisted Living site, Discovery Place plans to have a maximum of 156 daycare spots. It has a maximum of 91 spots at its current site.
Valley Assisted Living will continue to provide assisted living with dementia services within its facility as well.
City Council held a first reading to rezone a property owned by Valley Assisted Living from General Business District (C-2) to General Residential District (R-2). Valley Assisted Living plans to construct a parking lot at that location for Discovery Place. The council is expected to consider the matter at an upcoming meeting.
Valley Assisted Living recently purchased the property back from MAK Construction, which had planned to build a multi-use building featuring apartments and commercial space on the property. The council rezoned the property C-2 due to MAK Construction’s plans. Prior to that time, it had been zoned R-2.
The council held a first reading to amend an ordinance related to off-street parking. If approved, the amendment would include off-street parking for daycare facilities, which currently aren’t included in the ordinance. Economic/Community Development Director Richard Baker said the proposed amendment would require one parking stall for 12 daycare attendees and one parking stall for each employee based on peak maximum staffing.
The proposed amendment is expected to be considered at an upcoming council meeting.
City Council held a first reading for an interim use permit. The city currently has conditional use permits, which are attached to the property deed. Baker explained that an interim use permit would operate similarly to a conditional use permit since neighbors would be notified in advance about the permit application. However, Baker said the council would be able to review an interim use permit after three years or more. The council is expected to consider the matter at an upcoming meeting.