City to review its childcare policy in May; Council decides thorny zoning issues will be part of discussion
North Shore News
May 7, 2008
By: Heidi Castle

CURRENT childcare policy in the City of North Vancouver is up for review.

To update its 1995-2000 policy, city staff suggested public discussion focus primarily on key policy issues arising out of a 2006 North Shore tri-municipal childcare needs assessment.

Those issues relate to securing childcare space, grant programs, developing childcare hubs and building the status of childcare providers in the community.

That move would sidestep public dialogue about zoning bylaws and childcare uses in residential neighbourhoods….

In a 4-3 vote mid-March 2007, council narrowly defeated a bylaw that would require childcare facilities with more than eight children situated in residential zones to locate 295 feet away from the nearest similarly licensed facility, provide a traffic plan and consult with neighbours.

"I want to see a forum where the public can come out and express all their concerns," said Perrault. "I don't want people muzzled."

Perrault said she doesn't support daycares in residential neighbourhoods where the daycare houses more than 10 children. She also believes daycare providers should be area residents, she said.

We need policies that are suitable to families needing daycare, but that are also sensitive to residents, she said.

"In all the years I've been on council this is the only neighbourhood where we have this problem," said Perrault. "One has to ask oneself why."

A large commercial daycare in the middle of a single family neighbourhood doesn't work, she said.

Twenty or more children is too many in this type of setting, she said.

It negatively affects the quality of life of others living in the vicinity, she said.

"We as a council have to think about what problems, if we implement a policy, what problems can arise," she said.

Our existing policy has not sorted out the problems experienced in this neighbourhood, said Coun. Pam Bookham. The city can not allow more childcares like this to operate without listening to the community and rectifying this situation, she said.

Coun. Craig Keating …said he is happy to listen to the public but wants an open discussion, not one in which councillors have already decided childcare policy.

Council voted unanimously to support a policy discussion that includes dialogue about childcare facilities in residential neighbourhoods.

…Staff expect council can review a new childcare policy before summer.