PLACENTIA : City OKs Day-Care Site Despite Concerns

The City Council last week approved the building of a day-care center at Chapman Avenue and Mission Way, despite concerns about pesticides currently being used at strawberry and corn fields there.

After assurances from developer Paul Kraemer that he would clean up any toxic chemicals found at the proposed site, the council voted 5 to 0 to overturn a Planning Commission decision denying Kraemer a permit.

The day-care facility will be built on half an acre, while the remainder of the three-acre site will continue being used for agriculture. Although the city is requiring Kraemer to test the soil, he does not have to test or monitor whether the pesticides sprayed on the two fields become airborne.

“We don’t require (such testing) now,” said Joyce Rosenthal, director of development services. “We’ve had no reports (of health problems) or concerns” from nearby residents.

Dana Williamson, a supervisor with the state community-care licensing department, which inspects and licenses day-care centers, said the state does not look at pesticides for licensing purposes.

“Generally speaking, we don’t have the expertise to evaluate toxins from nearby businesses,” Williamson said. “Cities usually handle that in their permit process.”

The proposed facility also sparked complaints from nearby residents, who said it will increase noise and traffic in their neighborhood. Mission Way, a residential street, is already busy with cars and buses headed for a nearby elementary school, some residents said.

“Cars will be making U-turns (from Chapman) to get into the center, which will back traffic up,” said Bob Scholburg, who lives on Mission Way.

Scholburg and others said the center, which expects to eventually enroll 100 to 125 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years, will dramatically increase the noise level, which will drive down property values.

But Councilman John O. Tynes said there would be increased traffic and noise generated by any business built on the lot. The city needs the facility, Tynes said, and the project will be an asset.