Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Services Childcare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission approves conditional use permit for preschool at West Whittier Boulevard shopping center
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing a preschool and daycare at 1515 W. Whittier Blvd., with a maximum capacity of 30 children, a 1,000‑square‑foot outdoor play area, and hours proposed up to 24/7 by the operator pending state approval.
The La Habra Planning Commission voted 4-0 to approve Conditional Use Permit CUP‑24‑0013 to operate a preschool and daycare at 1515 West Whittier Boulevard in the La Habra Gateway Shopping Center.
Senior planner Ash Saeed described the project as occupying a suite at the northeast corner of Hacienda Road and Whittier Boulevard, adjacent to residences to the north and commercial uses on other sides. The applicant proposed Monday through Saturday operation with hours from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., staffed by four to six employees and serving a maximum of 30 children at full capacity as permitted by the state. The proposal includes a 1,000‑square‑foot outdoor play area with a play structure, seating, and toys; staff indicated the play area would occupy seven parking stalls but that the site would still exceed parking requirements for the shopping center.
Applicant representative Selena Brown introduced herself and described the program as trilingual (English, Spanish, and sign language), serving families who cannot access state preschool slots and low‑income families. Brown said the operator runs a second 24‑hour location in Fullerton and may seek 24‑hour operation for the La Habra site to serve non‑standard work schedules and domestic‑violence‑shelter partner families.
No members of the public spoke in opposition. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions. Vice Chair Ramsland called for a motion; a commissioner moved to approve the revised resolution and CUP as presented, noting the project is exempt from CEQA under Class 1 (existing facilities). The motion passed 4-0. The approval becomes final in 10 days unless appealed to City Council.
Staff noted that a revised resolution had been provided at commissioners’ dais prior to the motion and that the project will be subject to the conditions in that revised resolution.
