Washington Township, Pa., supervisors directed their attorney to draft regulations limiting child care centers to single-family homes and standalone, commercial structures.
The move would prohibit child care centers in multi-family homes, such as townhouses.
The Herald-Mail reports that the regulations come 2 weeks after the township zoning hearing board approved a Pennsylvania woman's request to operate a daycare center in her townhouse.
The zoning board approved Jennifer Albright's request and bypassed the supervisors' debate whether daycare centers in the township code referred to larger businesses or included in-home facilities.
Related: Read "Start a ripple effect with child care coverage."
Supervisor Carroll Sturm suggested the township code be changed to not allow daycare businesses in certain homes. Supervisor John Gorman said they could be allowed in single-family houses in R2 (medium-density residential) zones, as they already are in R1 (low-density residential) zones. Supervisor Jeff Geesaman said all zones should include a provision that daycares be limited to six children, not including family members. He said that's the current rule for R1 zones.
