The owner of a child care facility in Roanoke Rapids says she is willing to work out a compromise on her hours of operation in a conditional use permit application considered by the city's planning board this evening.

With one member absent, the planning board turned down the conditional use permit application of A-Z Children's Enrichment Academy by a 6-1 vote. Planning board member Robert Moore Jr. cast the motion to turn down the application on a second by Henry Ford. Terry Campbell cast the dissenting vote.

The focus of the application was to change the hours of the facility located at 310 Charlotte Street from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Currently the facility, which is licensed by the state for 59 students, is permitted to operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

City council will consider the matter at its Tuesday meeting at 7 p.m. in the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall.

“I would go with 9 (p.m.) or 10 (p.m.),” said Jacqueline Bennett, who runs the facility with her daughter, following the meeting.

She said she will discuss that matter with council at its meeting.

In casting his motion to turn down the request, Moore said, “I understand the demand for having child care. My concern is the residents who live there.”

Ford said it was an excellent idea. “I wish something could be worked out.”

The planning board does have the power to recommend additional stipulations to a conditional use permit before sending it on to city council.

Several residents in the neighborhood spoke against the request.

“We believe prolonged hours should not be allowed in a residential area,” said Tammy Keesee, who presented the planning board a petition signed by residents in the neighborhood. “Approval of this request will create much more noise and will disturb the tranquility of the neighborhood.”

She also said, “We feel like these hours of operation will decrease the value of our property and that the current hours of operation are sufficient.”