PLACENTIA : City OKs Expansion of Day-Care Center

The City Council has approved the expansion of a home day-care center, despite protests from neighbors that allowing more children into the center will create traffic problems.

James and Digna Pallas, who have provided family day care at their 2,500-square-foot home on Borromeo Avenue for almost a year, asked the council Tuesday to permit them to expand their service from six to 12 children. The day-care home is licensed to care for children up to 3 years old.

Several neighbors complained about additional traffic resulting from parents picking up and dropping off their children at the home. They also said that because the street is used as a shortcut from busier streets, operating a family day-care center there is more hazardous. In January, the Planning Commission turned down the Pallas’ request because of the potential traffic hazard.

But child-care providers who came to support the Pallases argued that Placentia badly needs more providers to care for children younger than 3.

“There are many large-family licenses in the county, and it’s not a traffic problem,” Tina Peltzer, president of the Orange County Child Care Assn., said after the meeting. “You’re never going to have all 12 people at one time.”

Peltzer added that for every infant opening at day-care providers in Placentia, five children need the spot.

“I would like to see where we encourage more child-care agencies,” Councilwoman Maria Moreno said. “If we send the message that we’re not going to encourage you, we’re not going to help you, maybe they will go through other avenues not in the system.”