Change in zoning rules will mean more locations can serve as day cares

City Council on Thursday approved modifications to the city’s Land Development Code that will allow child care facilities as well as adult day care in areas previously off-limits to such facilities. Council Member Vanessa Fuentes sponsored a resolution earlier this year urging the zoning staff to move forward with changes to regulations limiting child care and adult day care facilities. The new regulation will eliminate the requirement for nonaccessible parking for child care services and allow such services as an accessory use in residential areas. The number of children allowed in child care services will also be increased, as will the number of spaces for adults needing day care. According to a staff report, “childcare prices as a share of median family income range from 7.6 percent to 16 percent depending on the type of care.” Fuentes said that in order to make child care more affordable in Austin, it was necessary to change the rules to allow more properties to be available for child care. Council Member Chito Vela offered his wholehearted support for the item, thanking everyone involved. He said in his district, “child care is probably one issue that we hear about” most often that families struggle with.