ANAHEIM : Day-Care Center Plan Denied by City

The City Council voted Tuesday to reject plans for a day-care center that would serve up to 240 children in residential area of Anaheim Hills.

The vote came after a number of residents voiced their concerns about allowing a business so near their homes.

“I agree there needs to be child care in this area, especially here in east Anaheim where there has been tremendous growth,” said Phillip J. Joujon-Roche, a spokesman for the Santa Ana Canyon Property Owners Assn. “I think the character of this neighborhood has been established, and we’d like to see that low-density character maintained.”

Residents said they were worried about an increase in traffic, smog and noise pollution caused by people bringing children to the day-care center and preschool.

Council members agreed that day care center was needed but sided with residents who believe that the business is inappropriate for that area.

“I think a day-care center would be justifiable if there were significant setbacks in landscape buffers and if the size was reduced,” Councilman Tom Daly said. “I think a smaller day-care center would be a good day-care center and not hurt the neighborhood.”

The day-care center, proposed for a 1.4-acre lot in the Del Giorgio-Stone Creek area near Yorba Linda, would provide care for infants to preschool-age children.

Those proposing the project, Frank and Sarah Minissale, planned to remove a single-family home currently on the property to make way for the center at Mohler Drive and Santa Ana Canyon Road.

The Planning Commission had previously rejected the project, saying it would bring too much traffic to the community.