We Won! New Rules for Sizing Child Care Facilities

At last night’s County Council meeting, the Council voted unanimously to pass Bill # 714 which requires a Child Care center to limit enrollments of children to less than 60 on a one acre lot and increases the lot size to two acres for more than 60 children. (We had requested a limit of 30 children on a one acre lot and less than 60 on a two acre lot — but in reviewing standards in other counties, the limits in the current bill were in line with the laws within other counties in the State of Md.) The BCC’s Pat Lynch testified in favor of the bill representing the Broadneck Council of Community and our citizen members.

The bill contains new language that restricts a child care facility from being located in a residential zoning district located on a “minor arterial Road”– (ie: College Parkway) or a road of higher classification unless the entrance to the center is at least 500 feet from the entrance to a subdivision ( ie: Raintree) or commercial property”.

Lastly, the bill also includes a requirement that play areas be fenced off and in our bill–“the fence shall comply with the side and rear setbacks for accessory structures as provided in the bulk regulations of the residential district in which the child care facility is to be located.” (ie: 15 feet in RA and R2 districts and 7 feet in all other residential districts.)

Even though we had requested a tighter and more restrictive bill be written, we appreciate that the County offices of Law, OPZ, and others, agreed that this legislation was needed. The BCC will review all legislation regarding child care centers and request further action if necessary to protect our property owners rights and investments.

Unfortunately the Patel child care center special exception — that will severely impact the communities of Raintree and Woodfield, was approved under the old County law (with no size restrictions) when the application for increased enrollment was passed.

Please share this news with your communities. Thanks for your work effort and support and a special thanks to Councilman Dick Ladd for his support in sponsoring this new legislation.

Pat Lynch
President Broadneck Council of Communities.