St. Joseph City Commissioners have signed off on a zoning ordinance amendment for the Curious Kids Museum to move into its new home.

Curious Kids announced back in October it’s seeking to purchase the home of the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center. Speaking to commissioners this week, St. Joseph Community Development Director Kristen Gundersen said the Planning Commission has determined that Curious Kids, as a “medium/heavy use social institution,” wouldn’t be allowed in the current zoning area of the Heritage Museum.

“Curious Kids is looking at purchasing a building that’s in the COA, Commercial Office District, to expand their projects that they have available,” Gundersen said. “In reviewing the zoning ordinance, we concluded that the use was not allowed. It was an expansion of what was there previously.”

The Curious Kids Museum asked that the ordinance be amended to allow it to occupy the new space. Commissioners saw few problems with the request. Commissioner Michelle Binkley said she saw no downside to the change, while Commissioner Tess Ulrey said she wants to be hospitable to institutions like the Curious Kids Museum.

The city commission then signed off on the zoning change with a first reading of the ordinance amendment.