Planning Commission Gives Green Light to Goldfish

The is one step further to coming to Rochester.

The building housing the school, an indoor facility geared towards teaching kids from ages 4 months to 5 years, received site plan application approval from the Rochester Planning Commission on Wednesday night.

"We got our approval so we are excited going forward," said Rob Wineman, a representative of the Birmingham-based school.

Goldfish announced earlier this year that it would build in Rochester and originally considered two locations: one in Rochester and another in Rochester Hills. It chose a location on South Street in what is now a meadow on an unpaved road. It will be near other popular recreation spots — the and the .

Goldfish still has to submit for a final site plan and a building permit,  but they expect to begin construction in September and open the doors before the end of the year, Wineman said.

The landowners on the gravel road will be asked to collectively pay for a paved road replacement as a part of a Special Assessment District. Wineman said the road won't be finished in time for the opening and estimates construction on the road will start in the spring.