4701 Babylon Street child care center

Prospective daycare operator described her 16-year career, proposed 7-to-5 weekday hours, and pledged to work with neighbors.

Led the opposition with seven cards' worth of time, citing shifting capacity numbers, traffic, and petitions with 50-plus signatures.

Worried the owner is only leasing to the daycare and commercial zoning could later invite other businesses; staff clarified a conditional use prevents that.

President of the East New Orleans Neighborhood Advisory Commission spoke in opposition, citing 15-20 residents at the NPP meeting and alternatives on Dwyer/Dulman.

Resident since 1975 gave a powerful history of integration-era resistance and vowed to keep the street residential.

Agenda for Children facilities director explained child care centers are institutional uses common in converted homes and hard to site in commercial zones.

Meeting attendee cited fast traffic on the thoroughfare and said longtime homeowners deserve to enjoy their senior years undisturbed.

Property owner explained she removed a problem tenant, has kept the property maintained, and has an agreement for the operator to eventually buy it.