Making it easier to open a daycare is part of plan
The Record (New Westminster)
March 7, 2009
By: Theresa McManus

The City of New Westminster is trying to come to terms with the appropriate number of children in child-care centres in residential neighbourhoods.

The child-care strategy recently endorsed by city council includes recommendations regarding the implementation of "permissive" zoning in support of new child-care spaces.

One of the report's recommendations is that child-care operations of up to 16 spaces (principal use of the building) or 12 spaces (as an accessory use) be permitted as an outright use in all residential zones. No rezoning would be required, and approval would be the responsibility of city staff and would be subject to provincial licensing requirements.

The document stated that the city would review and establish parking requirements for such uses and require operators to document potential neighbourhood impacts, such as noise, parking and traffic.

Another recommendation stated that larger child-care operations of up to 25 spaces (principal use) be permitted in all residential zones, subject to council and public review of the applications. Approval would be the responsibility of city council.

… The city would also develop guidelines regarding building siting and design and require operators to document potential neighbourhood impacts.

According to the strategy, the city currently permits a range of child-care facilities within its residential zones: family child-care homes (up to eight children) are permitted in all residential zones; group child-care facilities (up to 16 children) are permitted in the neighbourhood residential dwelling districts zone in the Connaught, Kelvin and West End neighbourhoods; and group child care (up to 25 children) is also permitted in multiple dwelling districts, which includes everything from lowrise to highrise apartments.

… John Stark, the city's senior social planner, noted that the City of North Vancouver and other municipalities have permissive zoning that attempts to remove some of the roadblocks to the provision of child care.

… Stark said the recommendation was an attempt to address neighbourhood concerns with a process that doesn't have so many barriers in place. He said 16 was deemed to be the size of a facility that would fit into residential neighbourhoods.

According to Stark, 25 children is a large operation within a residential neighbourhood.

"We felt that should come back to council," he said. "It is a balance."

Harper feels the real issue should be what guidelines are in place to make 25 spaces workable in a neighbourhood. He believes child care should be a permissive use in neighbourhoods if they're shown not to impact the area in a negative way.

"The shortage is clear," Harper said about child-care spaces. "Anything we can do to have more daycare in the city is critical."

Stark said the issue of daycares in residential neighbourhoods was the "number 1" most discussed item by the child-care strategy task group.

…. "It's pretty clear we need daycares right in the neighbourhood," he said….