Currently, "day care II" facilities (serving more than 12 children per day) are allowed in the Residential High Density 4 (R4) zoning district with a Type-4 Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The CUP process is lengthy and expensive for permit applicants-- the cost, delay, and uncertainty of the CUP process reduces the likelihood that new childcare facilities would be established.
The City is exploring the idea of allowing "day care II" outright in the R4 zoning as there is a severe need for additional childcare and early learning capabilities in Anacortes.
We are looking for input as we explore this change!