Laserfiche WebLink
sentence, if I may, and that sentence should read, "A school is not permitted in certain Industrial <br /> zoned districts and again, there is no opportunity to apply for a Use Permit. Both of these schools, <br /> certain circumstances," and then complete the sentence as currently worded. <br /> So with that, I hope you consider a favorable action on this proposed bill. <br /> LEITHEAD TODD: I would like to comment. The reason this bill originated is we were <br /> approached by charter schools who have had difficulty finding specific properties that are suitable. <br /> And a couple of the properties in the Hilo area that they were interested in were zoned Resort, but <br /> we couldn't allow them to use the properties for school purposes because there was no process to do <br /> so. The other one is NELHA, which is zoned Industrial, and has had West Hawaii Explorations <br /> Academy there. And what we were finding is that with the changes in the way schools approach <br /> teaching with the creation of charter schools and also the future of what we think might be a little <br /> niche schools, you know, that address a particular type of schooling, that we needed to have more <br /> flexibility. The reason we went with use permit as opposed to permitted use is is that because of the <br /> specific issues related to traffic or what else is going on in the area, there may need to be specific <br /> conditions, times that we need to address specific concerns that may arise, if you place something in <br /> an industrial area — you know, like, an industrial area like NELHA is very different from an <br /> industrial area which is warehouses and storage and things like that. But we think that this will give <br /> us some flexibility to meet the changing needs of educational community. <br /> HOUSEL: Thank you. <br /> BOWMAN: So, I have a question, just because my concern was in industrial areas, but I assume <br /> then with the use permit they would be scrutinized as far as the safety -. <br /> LEITHEAD TODD: Yes. And then the conditions, we would recommend conditions and the <br /> Commission would have the ability to put conditions on the schools. I'm thinking like, it may be <br /> that there are specific uses that you might like; like if you did a mixed industrial - commercial, <br /> somebody might want to do a culinary school or something, you know, like that. And it's just that <br /> what we found is that educational community has changed and adapted more quickly than our Code <br /> has. So we are trying to catch up. <br /> ARAI: Mr. Chairman? <br /> HOUSEL: Sure. <br /> ARAI: Just for the Commissioners' information, I failed to mention that we do have letters in <br /> support of this proposed bill from the University of Hawaii, the Department of Education and Ka`u <br /> Meke Ka`eo, and those letters have been distributed to you. <br /> HOUSEL: And there are no letters of opposition, is that correct? <br /> ARAI: None. <br /> HOUSEL: Okay, thank you. Any other questions of staff? Would someone like to make a motion? <br /> NELSON: I move the Planning Director's amendment to Chapter 25, Zoning Code, Article 2 and <br /> Article 5 of the Hawaii County Code, relating to use permits be approved. <br /> 2 <br />