2010-08-12 Windward Planning Commission Minutes

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APPLICANT: HEIDI HANZA (SPP 08-065) Amendment to Condition Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 10 of Special Permit No. 08-065, which allowed a group child care home accommodating a maximum of 12 pre-school aged children. The requested amendments seek a change of use to a school accommodating a maximum of 44 children ranging in ages from 3 to 8 years old. The one-acre property, situated within the State th Land Use Agricultural District, is situated on 26Avenue, approximately 1,700 feet south of its intersection with Shower Drive in Hawaiian Paradise Park Subdivision, Puna, Hawai‘i, TMK: 1-5-037: 195. Ms. Cottle oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, summarized the request, and noted the Planning Director recommended approval of the application with conditions In response to Commissioner Au’s inquiries, Ms. Cottle noted the square footage of the building is approximately 1128 square feet and the request is to increase the staff to two fulltime certified teachers and one fulltime teacher’s aide. In response to Commissioner Ono’s inquiries, Ms. Cottle noted when the structure was originally used as a group child care home it was licensed by the Department of Human Services and a ratio for the number of caretakers and students was required based on the age and quantity. She said since the use is being converted to a school use, it is no longer licensed by the Department of Human Services. Commissioner Ono expressed his concern of having sufficient adult supervision for 44 children ages 3 to 8, noting more supervision is needed for the younger students. The applicant, Heidi Hanza, gave some background information, and stated that she did consider the safety of the children in determining the number of staff required. Commissioner Ono then questioned whether they were establishing a care center because of the hours of operation. Ms. Hanza clarified that the school day is 7:30 to 2:30 so all their children would be picked up at 2:30; however, she did want to give herself some parameters as she would like during the summer to offer other types of programs that may run longer than 2:30. There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the application. It was moved by Commissioner Domingo and seconded by Commissioner Kern that the application be approved as recommended by the Planning Director. A roll call vote was taken 4