Farmington Hills should amend ordinance restricting group day care home

Council members Ken Massey and Randy Bruce's singular argument against amending the group day care ordinance is concern that the door will be opened for other businesses to locate in residential neighborhoods. Apparently Massey and Bruce are unaware that door has been open for quite a while. The city has defined many limits for home-based businesses which focus on eliminating and reducing disruptions to the neighborhood while balancing the economic needs of residents. The benefits of some of these ordinances are obvious. After all, no one would argue against preventing a stamping plant from locating in a subdivision. However some ordinances, including the restrictions on group day care homes, prove to be unnecessary.

Contrary to the perception Massey and Bruce wish to manufacture, group day care homes have not destroyed or commercialized our neighborhoods. In fact, they have enhanced the value by providing an important service to the families of young children. What a shame if these council members shut down the homes. If they succeed, they will negatively impact the lives of dozens of Farmington Hills residents. The council must evaluate this impact and the consequences of their failure to amend the ordinance. Currently, 14 group day care homes exist. Without an amendment, some of these homes will be forced to close while others will have to cut their services and send parents searching for new childcare arrangements. This means that up to 14 productive, taxpaying households of this "family-friendly" city will be forced to seek new ways to make a living - a daunting task given the poor business climate created by the elected officials of this state. In addition, over 150 children could be forced into one of the day care centers located in commercial districts along major streets.

If each council member considers the consequences, their only choice is amend the ordinance. If a council member rejects an amendment, I dare him to use the words "family" or "children" during their re-election campaign while keeping a straight face.

[Letter to the Editor - Farmington Observer - Published 06/02/2005]