Politics & Government
Benicia Planning Commission Approves Another Gill Way Daycare
Despite opposition from neighbors, Claudia Claverie's plan for a 14-child operation was approved Thursday night.
The Benicia Planning Commission approved a use permit for a second family daycare facility to be opened on Gill Way.
Claudia Claverie, resident of 130 Gill Way, was given the ok via a 6-1 vote of the commission to open a 14-child daycare facility at her residence.
“It’s a relief because I know all of my families will be able to be continued to be serve,” she said. “That I won’t have to tell anybody that it wasn’t approved and their child may have to find other child care.”
Find out what's happening in Beniciawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A handful of Claverie’s neighbors spoke at the meeting in opposition to her application. They cited noise, traffic and parking concerns in their arguments to the commission. One neighbor said she and her husband, who both suffer from cancer, like to relax in the afternoons and that having children around their home won’t allow them to do that.
“I feel sorry for them,” Claverie said. “I feel cancer is a horrible thing, and I feel for them, but children bring joy to most people’s lives.
Find out what's happening in Beniciawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Another neighbor, Karl Hellveik, accused the commission of colluding with Claverie towards the end of the proceeding.
“I think there’s a rat in this whole thing,” he shouted to the commission before walking out of the city council chamber.
Of the 16 resolutions the commission said were needed to give Claverie the ok, two were adjusted, one was removed and another added.
Resolution No. 6 was amended so that one parking space remains open at all times for parents dropping off their kids to have a safe turnaround area. Resolution No. 12, which would have forced parents to adhere to a certain traffic pattern, was eliminated.
Resolution No. 13 was changed from requiring a review of Claverie’s use permit after one year to a need-to-have status. Resolution No. 14, which would have allotted for a three-strike rule for violations by Claverie’s business, was eliminated.
The commission added a resolution saying Claverie would construct a higher fence between herself and her neighbor’s home.
Anyone wishing to appeal the ruling has 10 days from Thursday to do it.
Follow Benicia Patch on Twitter: @beniciapatch
Follow Peter Fournier on Twitter: @P_Fournier
