Chilliwack child care site seeks rezoning for permanent operation, expansion

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack councillors will be tasked with giving first and second reading to a rezoning application from a Fairfield Island child care provider that could see an increase in the number of kids it enrols.

According to agenda item 7.8 on this Tuesday’s council agenda (Sept. 16), Rickneel Maharaj has requested that a property on Hope River Road be rezoned from an RI-A (urban residential) zone to an RC (commercial conversion) zone to allow the permanent operation and expansion of a commercial child care facility. If the bylaw reaches a proposed public hearing on October 7, council can then give third reading and adoption.

A city staff report indicates Fairfield Island Daycare has been operating on Hope River Road since 2016. The facility began as an accessory home occupation with a maximum of eight children in accordance with the property’s Rl-A zoning. In 2021, building permits were filed to facilitate the construction of a 122m² addition to the existing single detached dwelling, and to then convert that space to a commercial daycare were completed. At that time, a second driveway access from Fairview Drive was proposed and approved by the city’s land development department for the use by residents of the principal dwelling (not associated with the business).

More recently, a temporary use permit and related renewal was issued in 2022 and 2025, respectively, to permit the expansion of the child care facility to allow up to 16 children in care.