South DSM News

Plans to bring a new day care facility to Indianola seem to be moving forward as the City Council considered a new development plan for 1010 N. Jefferson St.

The council discussed the proposed project—which would mean building a facility at the above-mentioned site—during its Jan. 17 meeting.

"It's very exciting," Indianola Mayor Stephanie Erickson said in the meeting. "I mean, I think that's one of the things I read in a COVID study was that day care is one of the most needed things right now."

Tiffany Money is behind the proposed project, a report from the Indianola Independent Advocate said. Approximately 13 years ago she started a day care out of her home and now wants to expand and have a building dedicated to it. Pipsy's Wee Care and Preschool, named after Money's daughter, will have a curriculum program for children ages 3-5. The facility would be open for children as young as six weeks old, and there would be 8-12 employees at the day care at all times.

The council talked about the proposed site plan, which included a 5,324-square-foot facility that would be able to accommodate up to 70 children. The area is already zoned highway commercial, which would fit current plans. The Planning and Zoning Commission saw no reason to deny the request as long as the day care facility was willing to work with parking requirements that would come along with any future development in the area.

Some council members were concerned about traffic flow in the area, particularly around pick-up and drop-off times, since it is already heavily traveled. City staff acknowledged the concerns and noted that there is a plan to conduct traffic studies and possibly change traffic flow.

The council ultimately approving the site plan.