A proposal to put a day-care center in a residential area near WordPerfect will get a second hearing before the City Council Tuesday night.

The council voted 3-3 last week on Beth George's request for a conditional use permit to convert a home at 1090 N. 800 East to a day-care/preschool center. The request failed because of the split decision, but the door was left open for the request to be brought back to the council.George wants to operate a day-care/pre-school facility for up to 90 children; it would be staffed by as many as 13 people. She has operated a day-care business in her southwest Orem home for a number of years.

The new center will be aimed at employees of WordPerfect, which is about two blocks away. In fact, George originally planned to call her operation "ChildPerfect," but WordPer-fect officials objected to use of the name.

However, according to George, WordPerfect officials are supportive of her efforts.

At last week's meeting the council received a petition signed by 31 residents living in the vicinity of the proposed center who are opposed to it.

Richard Rowley, spokesman for the group, said the proposal is not "in harmony" with the neighborhood.

Rowley also said it would decrease the aesthetics of the area, would lower surrounding property values and could increase delivery truck traffic.

However, Rowley asked the council to set up several requirements in the event it approved the project, including that trees be planted around the perimeter of the property; that all non-residential structures be 50 feet from the property lines; that the hours of operation be limited to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; that property storage on the site be limited; and that a maximum of 50 children be allowed at the center.

George told the council she's investing $200,000 in the center, an investment she would not be able to recoup if limited to a maximum of 50 children.

Council members Kelvin Clayton, Jim Evans and Lucile Steele voted in favor of George's request.

"I feel there's a definite need for this type of service in our community," Clayton said. "I feel these people have meet all the obligations needed to move their business into this area."

Evans said child-care operations ought to be in residential areas, rather than "down on State Street."

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Mayor Joyce Johnson voted against the request, saying she was a "little disappointed" that officials at WordPerfect weren't interested in providing on-site day care for employees.

Council member Keith Hunt joined Johnson, saying the area had already been impacted by development and traffic. And so did council member George Bailey, who questioned the use of conditional use permits as a zoning tool and said the "magnitude of this bowls me over."

Council member Norm Woodhouse abstained from voting but did not explain why.

Tuesday night, council members will have the opportunity to rethink their positions on the matter.

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