A majority of council members, which continued the hearing at its January 20 meeting until tonight, were convinced the extension of hours at A-Z Children's Enrichment Academy would have a negative impact on adjoining or abutting property values. They also believed proposal would not be in harmony with the neighborhood in the 300 block of Charlotte Street.

Councilman Carl Ferebee made a series of four motions on the proposal, which council sided with him on only two — that the extended hours would not endanger public health or safety and that the proposal was in conformity with the city's Comprehensive Development Plan.

Because council, however, voted against two of the four motions Ferebee made, council had to deny request.

“I have compassion for those who live in this community,” Ferebee said, also stating he had compassion for the owners seeking the extension of hours. “Things have changed since 1967. So many people don't have jobs. If it was in my community — I have a daycare in my community — I wouldn't have an issue. We have no choice but to deny the request. The only motion we can make is to deny the request.”

Residents in the neighborhood where the facility is located at 310 Charlotte Street told the planning board last month they believed extending the hours from 6 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, would create more noise and disturb the tranquility of the neighborhood. They also believed it would affect their property values.

When the subject of a compromise in the hours was broched by Councilman Wayne Smith, Jacqueline Bennett, one of the owners, said none of the residents against the proposal came to her or her daughter to discuss such a proposal.

Jakia Bennett told council following the vote, “It's a detriment to us as business owners in the community. We are operating in a community that doesn't want to come together. How is it possible there are other child care (businesses) in town and they've never had an issue? What is different about ours? There is no equality or justice.”

Ferebee said following the meeting it had been his thought process to suggest a 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. extension had the two other portions passed. “When the other parts were not approved we didn't have that option. It's unfortunate in my opinion. I'm a little disappointed.”

Smith said he believed a 2010 council decision that eventually set the current operating hours was a wise one.

Currently the facility, which is licensed by the state for 59 students, is permitted to operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.