Day Care Changes Timely

Friday’s editorial supports the Horry County Council’s effort to lessen the impact of day care centers on residential areas.

No fewer than 36 day care centers are registered in unincorporated areas of Horry County, so the county government is on the right track in revising the regulations for such centers in residential areas.

A proposed ordinance before the County Council would limit large (more than 13 children) day care centers to commercial areas. It also will require larger lots for medium (six to 12 children) care sites and lower to five the cap on the number of children who may be in a family care site. The state fire marshal changed the cap on the smallest operations from six to five. Space for a play area must be available on day care sites.

The full County Council this week voted 10-2 to approve the new regulations on the second of three readings (the third will be Nov. 3). The proposal advanced to the full council from the Infrastructure and Regulation Committee, after it originated in the county Planning Department. Neighbors of some larger centers in residential areas have complained about the operations.

The county's principal planner, David Schwerd, says, "All of the day cares we mentioned in our presentation have tiny playground areas and they're located in residentially zoned areas. When you stick a lot of kids in those areas, it provides a lot of problems with noise, traffic and other areas. The ones that already operate in residential zoning can operate as normal." Any expansion would be limited and have to meet existing county requirements for parking and so forth as well as play space.

The proposed ordinance defines a day care facility as having 13 or more children and limits these centers to commercial areas. The proposal requires 20,000 square feet of space for centers caring for six to 12 children in residential neighborhoods; the medium centers may operate also in commercial areas. Family care facilities, to be limited to five children, are permitted in all zoning areas.

By allowing existing facilities in residential areas to continue to operate, the proposed changes will not put centers out of business. Fairness to such centers is the point, Schwerd says. However, some facilities may have other issues with state and county regulations.

Councilman Gary Loftus no doubt speaks for many in explaining (in a report in The Sun News) his support of the changes after seeing some day cares with little outdoor play space. "Philosophically, I am not one to put extra regulation on people or businesses, but I have a different issue with how these day cares are operating."

Horry County does differ from state regulations in requiring 75 feet of space per child and on-site recreation space. The state allows play in rotating groups or in offsite areas such as parks. The county fire marshal inspects county-licensed day cares for safety and occupancy annually, which surely is minimal. The state inspects day cares when a potential problem is brought to its attention. The state does not require a license for the 1-5 groups; otherwise, day cares need state and county licenses.

A proposed ordinance before the County Council would limit large (more than 13 children) day care centers to commercial areas. It also will require larger lots for medium (six to 12 children) care sites and lower to five the cap on the number of children who may be in a family care site. The state fire marshal changed the cap on the smallest operations from six to five. Space for a play area must be available on day care sites.

The full County Council this week voted 10-2 to approve the new regulations on the second of three readings (the third will be Nov. 3). The proposal advanced to the full council from the Infrastructure and Regulation Committee, after it originated in the county Planning Department. Neighbors of some larger centers in residential areas have complained about the operations.

The county's principal planner, David Schwerd, says, "All of the day cares we mentioned in our presentation have tiny playground areas and they're located in residentially zoned areas. When you stick a lot of kids in those areas, it provides a lot of problems with noise, traffic and other areas. The ones that already operate in residential zoning can operate as normal." Any expansion would be limited and have to meet existing county requirements for parking and so forth as well as play space.

The proposed ordinance defines a day care facility as having 13 or more children and limits these centers to commercial areas. The proposal requires 20,000 square feet of space for centers caring for six to 12 children in residential neighborhoods; the medium centers may operate also in commercial areas. Family care facilities, to be limited to five children, are permitted in all zoning areas.

By allowing existing facilities in residential areas to continue to operate, the proposed changes will not put centers out of business. Fairness to such centers is the point, Schwerd says. However, some facilities may have other issues with state and county regulations.

Councilman Gary Loftus no doubt speaks for many in explaining (in a report in The Sun News) his support of the changes after seeing some day cares with little outdoor play space. "Philosophically, I am not one to put extra regulation on people or businesses, but I have a different issue with how these day cares are operating."

Horry County does differ from state regulations in requiring 75 feet of space per child and on-site recreation space. The state allows play in rotating groups or in offsite areas such as parks. The county fire marshal inspects county-licensed day cares for safety and occupancy annually, which surely is minimal. The state inspects day cares when a potential problem is brought to its attention. The state does not require a license for the 1-5 groups; otherwise, day cares need state and county licenses.