PC 012407 - Laserfiche WebLink

THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Eunhee Yoo Im, applicant, believed there was a misunderstanding about the Montessori classes and noted that they were not considered to be daycare. The Pre-Kindergarten children attend two days per week for an hour to learn phonics and math, using Montessori materials. She noted that the classes were not like those of a preschool or kindergarten and that they did not stay for extended periods of time. She compared the class structure to Kumon or other learning centers. In response to an inquiry by Chairperson Fox regarding whether the parents remained on-site during the classes, Ms. Yoo Im replied that the parents generally leave and that she could only take up to three children at one time. She noted that each class was one hour long and that the children in the Montessori classes were generally four and five years old. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Blank regarding whether other kinds of classes were conducted, Ms. Yoo Im replied that because she had Montessori materials on the walls, only those kinds of classes were given. Anne Tancioco, Child Care Links, noted that she is not speaking for the agency at this meeting with respect to its opinion of the permit approval but did represent the agency with respect to safety and supervision of the children. She noted that she appeared to express concerns brought up with respect to the applicant’s proposed use. She noted that one of their missions was to advocate for health and safety within the childcare realm. They hoped that the applicant has considered the concerns regarding placing an enrichment center in a business park, which brought up traffic safety concerns, particularly with respect to the narrow sidewalks. She expressed concern about supervision of the children during entry and exit and wanted to ensure they would not leave the building or vicinity while their parents were off-site during class time. They initially were concerned this would be a standard daycare center in an area where there was insufficient room to play, but those concerns were allayed during the applicant’s presentation. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Blank with respect to mitigations for their safety concerns, Ms. Tancioco replied that they recommended that the applicant announce the opening of this Center and perhaps place signs such as “Children at Work” in the immediate vicinity to alert drivers to be careful. She suggested that they be careful when using the back parking lot and that they may consider using speed bumps for traffic calming. Ms. Yoo Im noted that Child Care Links was concerned about the children wandering around outside the site, but she noted that the parents must drop the children off and pick them up in the classroom, not outside the site. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 24, 2007 Page 8 of 24