NORTHRIDGE : Group Opposes Day-Care Proposal

Controversy has surfaced over a proposed preschool in Northridge, the latest in a series of battles over children’s facilities that has lately made day care one of the San Fernando Valley’s hottest zoning topics.

In a pattern similar to other recent cases, Sherri Segre has met with strong opposition to her proposal to start a preschool and day-care center for as many as 58 children in a home at 18826 Devonshire St. The case is reminiscent of a recent one in Van Nuys in which angry neighbors appealed a permit for a Keswick Street day-care center all the way to the Los Angeles City Council, where it was finally approved.

Segre, who already operates a day-care center for more than 20 children from her Northridge home, wants to expand the business to a second home she purchased on Devonshire Street. But members of the North Valley Homeowners Federation turned out at a hearing last week to oppose the permit, contending the center would cause traffic problems for nearby homeowners, said Zoning Administrator John Parker.

Leaders of the homeowner group could not be reached for comment.

Segre has proposed a day-care center and preschool for infants, toddlers and children up to kindergarten age. The house will be converted into a day-care center but still look like a house from the outside, she said. She said the site includes a circular parking lot and seven parking spaces.

Parker is expected to rule on the case in the coming week.