DOWNEY - All Around the World Children Center, located on the corner of Lakewood Boulevard and Cherokee Drive, will soon expand its daycare and private school after the Downey Planning Commission approved the property owners' plan to convert existing professional office space on the site into administrative offices for the center. Noting the absence of Commissioner Ernie Garcia, the Planning Commission voted unanimously, per city staff's recommendation, to allow a conditional use permit modification, which also calls for the closure of 13 parking stalls at the site from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for outdoor playground space.

All Around the World currently occupies 17,560 sq. ft. of the one-story, multi-tenant building while the remaining 3,900 sq. ft. houses leased professional offices. Under the modification, property owners James and Suzette Phillipy will convert 3,100 sq. ft. of the professional office space into administrative offices for the school, leaving just one 800 sq. ft. office space for lease.

Due to an increase in classrooms, the center will close an additional six parking spaces along with the existing seven for more outdoor playground space.

During the June 6 commission meeting, the commissioners also approved the operation of a children's train ride inside Stonewood Center and a 66-sq.-ft. mobile food kiosk outside of Home Depot on Firestone Boulevard.

According to a city staff report, the proposed train ride, operated by Action Time LLC, will take up a space approximately 47 feet long by 17 feet wide in an open area between the Macy's entrance corridor and Kohl's entrance corridor.

The train rails will be protected by a 42 inch guardrail and will include a four foot long locomotive and three, six foot trailers that can seat a total of 26 children. Once open, the train will operate during shopping mall business hours.

Home Depot, located at 7121 Firestone Blvd., will soon welcome a mobile food cart outside with an outdoor eating area nearby.

According to the staff report, food cart owner Rose Espinosa submitted a conditional use permit on April 20. After a comprehensive review of the request, city staff recommended its approval, unconvinced that the cart would create any impact on those who live and work in the area.

********** Published: June 14, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 09