2008-10-03 Planning Commission Minutes

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APPLICANT: NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP PUNA (SPP 922) Amendment to allow pre-school and/or day care activities, deletion of condition no. 9 (prohibition of pre-school and day care activities) and related conditions of Special Permit No. 922, which allowed the establishment of a church and related facilities on approximately 10 acres of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The property is located along the north side of Highway 132 (Pahoa – Kapoho Road), approximately 300 feet east of the Highway 132 and Highway 130 intersection, Nanawale Homesteads, Pahoa, Puna, Hawaii, TMK: 1-5-4: por. 5. Mr. Darrow oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, and summarized the request. He noted the Planning Director recommended approval of the application with conditions, with Condition No. 12 to state the applicant shall comply with all County, State and Federal rules, etc. and existing Condition No. 12 renumbered to Condition No. 13. The applicant’s representative, Colliene Armitage, stated she has reviewed and is comfortable with the Planning Director’s recommendations. She noted that they have complied with or are in the process of complying with all State and County requirements. In response to Commissioner Iwashita’s suggestion to extend the hours of the facility Monday through Friday and to regular preschool hours, Ms. Armitage said the hours of operation requested is from “Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool,” which is separate from the church; but should they vacate the premises and the church decide to open a preschool because of the need, they would appreciate the extension on the hours of operation. In response to Commissioner Ogata’s inquiry, Mr. Hayashi said he could not find anything in the file the reason for restricting the use of a preschool or day care activity. He noted that the Director gave a little more leeway in the hours of operation than requested by the applicant. Upon the Chair’s inquiry, Mr. Hayashi said that the notification to surrounding property owners of the application did not state the hours of operation. For Commissioner Woodward’s information, Mr. Hayashi said the Department did not receive any comments from surrounding property owners, nor from the general public. There was some discussion amongst the Commissioners to extend the hours of operation Monday through Friday for up to 4 ½ hours and Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00, 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. Commissioner Ogata questioned whether the government agencies needed to be informed of the proposed extended hours of operation. Commissioner Woodward felt the Commission should just vote on what they feel is right with what is currently before the Commission; and if there is an objection, it can be made known to the Commission. Commissioner Domingo felt it was a matter of principle and if plans change and the church decides to do a preschool and day-care facility with extended hours it would fulfill the need for such facilities. 6