The Oak Park Planning Commission voted to approve a special land use request submitted by Minda Cohen to expand a home daycare at 14411 Vernon.

The approval came after residents and another licensed provider described a local shortage of child-care capacity. Donnie Jones, a neighbor, told commissioners, "If the neighbors on either side of Ms. Cohen approved, I think it's a great idea." Applicant Minda Cohen said, "There have been multiple families that have called me and I am at my capacity," and described families seeking care after a nearby center closed.

Commissioners noted zoning rules that limit drop-off and pick-up times; an examining commissioner reminded the applicant that children should not be dropped off prior to 6 a.m. or after 10 p.m., and asked about operating hours. The applicant said typical hours would be roughly 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., possibly extending to 4 p.m., and explained that parents commonly park curbside or pull into the long rear drive for arrivals. Devorah Gold, a licensed Oak Park home child-care provider, said her enrollment is full and that she is licensed for 14 children, underscoring local demand.

After public comment and a brief question-and-answer period on hours and arrival procedures, the chair closed the hearing, a motion to approve the special land use was moved and seconded, and the commission carried the motion by roll call. The transcript records the outcome as "motion carries"; individual vote tallies were not specified in the public record.

The approval allows the applicant to continue the state licensing process contingent on meeting any conditions the city places on the special land use.