Local News in Brief : Child Care Operators Sue City of Burbank

The operators of two child-care homes sued Burbank in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, claiming that the city violates state law by limiting the day-care businesses they run in their homes.

Attorney Michael Magnuson, representing Kathleen Angelheart, said the suit was designed to prevent local intervention in child-care facilities, which are licensed by the state.

The city recently denied Angelheart’s request to care for 12 children at her home, in a single-family residential neighborhood.

Magnuson said the state Department of Social Services had already granted Angelheart an operating license to take care of 12 children.

Another plaintiff, Laurie Salas, wants a license to increase the number of children she can care for from six to 12.

The suit contends that state law forbids cities or counties from barring day-care facilities from single-family residential zones.

Burbank City Atty. Douglas Holland said the city has the right to regulate activities in a single-family neighborhood, and that the Angelheart request was denied because of the noise and traffic it would cause.