Orange County officials announced Thursday that the Pine Hills Daycare at 1211 N. Pine Hills Road will stay closed while the building undergoes a thorough safety review. A vehicle rammed through the facility’s exterior wall, displacing masonry supports, damaging interior walls and exposing electrical wiring.
Inspection and safety requirements
An inspector with the Orange County Division of Building Safety determined the structure cannot be occupied until the property owner obtains the necessary permits, completes repairs and receives county approval for occupancy. The inspector also ordered the power to be disconnected because exposed wiring presented a fire hazard.
The county’s report, dated Oct. 15, notes that the crash left the vehicle fully inside the building, creating both visible and potentially concealed damage. Because of the uncertainty surrounding hidden structural issues, the county is requiring a licensed Florida architect or engineer to evaluate the building before any repair work begins.
Repair process
Repair plans must be submitted to the county for review, and all work must be performed by a licensed contractor. Once the repairs are completed, the county will conduct inspections to verify compliance with current building codes and ordinances.
County permitting records show the property has operated as a child‑care facility since 2009, with a commercial alteration permit issued that year and subsequent use permits in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2020.
Vehicle‑impact protection ordinance
Orange County’s “Lily Quintus Child Care Center Vehicle Impact Protection Ordinance,” effective June 1, 2016, requires new child‑care centers and any facility that creates or enlarges exposed areas to install protective barriers. The ordinance does not automatically apply to centers that were already operating before the law took effect.
Because Pine Hills Daycare was in operation prior to the ordinance’s effective date, its later use permits did not trigger the vehicle‑impact protection requirement. County officials also found no building‑alteration permits from that period that would have created a new exposed area subject to the ordinance.
Officials said a final decision on whether impact protection must be installed will be made after the county reviews the repair plans and the proposed scope of work.
Impact on families
Parents who relied on Pine Hills Daycare are being asked to seek alternative child‑care arrangements while the facility remains closed. County officials emphasized that the safety measures are intended to protect children and staff from future incidents.
Community members are encouraged to stay informed through the Orange County website, where updates on the repair timeline and reopening status will be posted.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
