Planners Reject New Day-Care Site : Neighbors Feared Noise, More Traffic

The San Juan Capistrano Planning Commission on Tuesday night rejected a plan to build an after-school day-care center in a semi-rural part of the city despite the pleas of more than 100 parents and children.

Steve and Giny Martin, owners of the After-School Team Activity Club (A-Team) for children with working parents, had applied to move their business from a cramped mini-mall in Mission Viejo to a three-acre site on Ortega Highway.

But after hearing opposition by residents surrounding the plot, the Planning Commission voted 3 to 1 to reject the application.

“I feel for the people who have lived here for a long time,” said Planning Commissioner Mary Jane Forster. “The people who have lived here a long time should have preference.”

The Martins said they will appeal to the City Council, which is expected to hear the matter at its Oct. 3 meeting.

“It’s too bad that some commissioners weren’t caring enough to know what’s behind the project,” Steve Martin said.

Only Planning Commissioner Gil Jones supported the proposal to open the day-care center for as many as 75 children, ages 5 to 14.

“I appreciate the concern that the people who live there have,” Jones said, but “this program will be an asset to the community. This program should be given a chance to work.”

The Martins first proposed moving the day-care center in July.

Neighbors surrounding the parcel immediately launched a letter-writing drive to city officials describing their opposition. They complained that the day-care center would cause noise and increase traffic on busy Ortega Highway.

On Tuesday night, many parents supporting the center told the Planning Commission that it is needed and that the site is the best one possible.

“Quality child care is a major problem in this country,” said Marci Glidden, 32, of Mission Viejo, whose three children are enrolled at the center. “They are, without a doubt, the best child-care operation in the county. They teach the kids to be responsible and to share. They also teach them how to be just kids.”

The current day-care site is at Marguerite and Avery parkways.