Culver City : Day-Care Home to Expand

A family day-care home in a residential neighborhood was granted a six-month trial expansion on Monday by the Culver City Council, despite neighbors’ concern that the expansion would worsen traffic and parking on their street.

The capacity of the home would increase from six to 12 children, under the permit approved by the council.

Neighbors complained that the home, on the 4200 block of Irving Place, would be a commercial use in a residential neighborhood and that traffic from parents dropping off and picking up their children would be a safety hazard for neighborhood children.

But parents of children who go to the home, which is run by Genovera and Noemi Palazzolo, told the council they have a minimal effect on traffic and parking because they arrive at different times and park in the home’s driveway.

The council voted 4 to 1 to grant a permit to expand the day-care home to a maximum of 12 children, but it also asked for a staff report in six months to make sure it is not causing problems. Councilman Jim Boulgarides voted against the expansion.

State law allows private residences to be used as day-care homes for up to 12 children, as long as there is ample space and they do not create parking, traffic and noise problems in the neighborhood, according to city planner Jay Cunningham.