Matthysse Kuiper Degraaf Funeral Home

At their regular meeting on Nov. 13, Allendale Township Board members voted 5-1 to deny a request for Little Tykes University and Childcare Center.The new business owners, Jodie Van Rhee and Jackie Betts, had planned to rent a 4,738-square-foot attached building behind Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, tucked inside a residential neighborhood at 6651 Scott St. The facility would house up to 60 children.According to Jeff Matthysse, his company purchased the building about five years ago from Allendale Wesleyan Church. The eastern wing of the facility was used for funeral luncheons, and was most recently leased to Allendale Baptist Church before being vacated again.Van Rhee and Betts worked with the township Planning Commission for five months during the approval process. After several meetings and a public hearing, which revealed concerns by neighbors about traffic and noise, the commission placed several conditions, including a fence around that section of the property.According to Betts, she and Van Rhee agreed to comply with constructing the fence and other stipulations. "I think we met all the needs," she said.Earlier this fall, the commission voted unanimously to approve the project. Ordinarily, their decision about a commercial site plan would have been final, according to Township Planner Gregory Ransford.But because the funeral home was part of a prior planned-unit development (PUD), township ordinance required a vote by the Township Board in order to add the new business.The board held a lengthy discussion on the issue at their Nov. 13 meeting. Supervisor Adam Elenbaas prefaced the conversation by saying, "I know someone is going to go away unhappy."Treasurer David Vander Wall said he has spoken with some of the residents who are concerned about a potential disruption in their quiet neighborhood, especially from the traffic."In their mind, it will have a very serious impact," he said.Trustee Bruce Zeinstra, who also serves on the Planning Commission, said an office building already is allowed in the current PUD. "You could have 60 employees. ... (MLive.com)