VAN NUYS : Child-Care Center Gets Go-Ahead

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved plans for a Van Nuys child-care center, stifling neighborhood opposition and prompting council members to consider ways to make it easier for such facilities to go through the zoning approval process.

The council’s 14-0 vote granted a permit for the proposed child-care center to operate in a residential community on Keswick Street, ending a six-month battle between neighbors and the center’s supporters.

“I feel like this whole battle is over,” said Michelle Ventimiglia, the applicant for the center. “My next battle is to win the neighbors over. When I’ve done that, the war is over.”

The facility, to be opened in January, will be remodeled from a private residence into a five-day-a-week program for 24 children, ages 2 to 6. About 150 neighbors have opposed the project since March, fearing increased traffic and declining property values.

“I’m very disgusted with the full City Council,” said resident Ginette Burwell. “We’re going to get together a neighborhood meeting and we’re going to discuss getting an attorney. There’s no way we are going to let this happen and have this lower our property values.”

Three hearings that have been held since March have resulted in changes to plans for the center, including scaling the facility down from 48 to 24 students, installing a fence and adding a driveway from the alley behind the site to Louise Avenue.

During Wednesday’s council meeting, objections to the center by Burwell and Don Schultz of the Van Nuys Homeowners Assn. were overshadowed by the council’s support for child care. San Fernando Valley council members Laura Chick and Richard Alarcon said they would consider re-evaluating city zoning ordinances to favor child-care facilities.

“Child-care centers should not be held in the same regard as one-stop shops and gas stations and fast-food restaurants,” Alarcon said after the meeting.

“I think we need to look at whatever ongoing planning, land use and management conditions are pertinent so that we can create whatever ordinance is necessary to treat child-care centers more appropriately.”