The Jefferson City Planing and Zoning Commission has approved a rezoning plan to allow an adult day care that will provide care and job training for adults with disabilities.
At the commission meeting Thursday, members approved the request to rezone 1.1 acres at 2725 Merchants Dr. from M-2 general industrial to PUD planned unit development. The new zoning, which still requires approval from the City Council, would allow for a building to contain a 2,350 square foot adult day care, as well as a 15,800 square foot medical supply and equipment warehouse and 5,500 square feet of office space, which is expected to be used for a medical supply distributor. It also includes plans for a possible future retail showroom, also associated with the medical supply and equipment business.
Danielle Schwartz, the applicant, said she is a speech pathologist who owns Speak-Easy, a speech therapy company in Jefferson City. Schwartz said through her work, she has seen a growing need for a facility that would provide care and on-site job training for adults with disabilities.
Schwartz said her partner, Jason Forrest, owns the medical supply company that will be located on the property, which will provide job training to adults in her care, participating in filing and putting together first aid kits. She added that when the showroom opens, clients will interact with the public and learn how to use a cash register.
"We have received an overwhelming amount of support from the community," Schwartz said.
She said she has taken exams to provide the care from the Department of Mental Health and the facility will be licensed to care for up to 24 adults, though she said they would only start with 12 to 15.
Jim Casey, executive director of Cole County Special Services, testified in support of the rezoning saying there is a strong push to get those with disabilities employed.
"We're very much in favor of this," Casey said. "Any program that emphasizes employing people with disabilities is something we'd like to see more of."
The rezoning will go to the full City Council for review and a public hearing June 16.