CLAREMONT — The owner of a Claremont child care center says he intends to seek a new location for the business after learning his location of choice is across the street to a planned transitional housing unit.
The city’s Planning Board last week approved a site plan needed for Ready Set Grow to move into 145 Charlestown Road, a month after it OK’d plans to move the center into a former auto parts store on Main Street.
“It was my decision,” said Ready Set Grow owner Farhan Yaqoob. “I don’t want to open and put kids in a situation where we don’t know what is happening there.”
The former Bond Auto Parts Store where Yaqoob initially planned to move his business is near 19 Sullivan St., where Sullivan County officials are hoping to place a residence for inmates convicted of drug charges.
County Manager Derek Ferland said Thursday they are continuing to consult with the architect to renovate the building but it was too early to provide cost estimates.
Ferland said the proposed housing is only for drug offenders; anyone convicted of a violent crime would not be eligible.
The Sullivan Street location is the third one the county has considered. A Main Street property was deemed too expensive to renovate and county officials decided not to pursue transitional housing in the Junior Sports League building on School Street after neighbors voiced strong opposition.
On Monday, the Planning Board approved an amendment to the existing site plan for the Charlestown Road property, a 7,800 square foot, one-story building that was constructed in 1955 and is vacant.
Behind the 6,000-square-foot building would be enclosed play area, according the plans on file in the city’s planning office.
Yaqoob said he has not fully developed the interior renovation plans but does not anticipate any major reconstruction. He could not say when the building would be ready for the move from Ready Set Grow’s Royce Street property.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.
