Search Day School for autistic kids
wants to expand
By Sherry conohan
Staff Writer
OCEAN TOWNSHIP — A planned expansion of the Search Day School on Wickapecko Road will go before the Zoning Board of Adjustment May 9.

The school for autistic children has submitted a proposal to the board to build a new $1.7 million, one-story building on their property, which would be located in front and to one side of the existing two-story building at the site.

The school said in its application that the additional space is required to serve the growing needs of the community. But it must first obtain a use variance from the Zoning Board and a variance for a minimum lot area.

The school is located in an R-1 zone, the most restrictive residential zoning requiring the largest lots — 40,000 square feet — where schools are conditionally permitted. A minimum of 10 acres is required under the ordinance for the use proposed, while the school has only 4.82 acres.

It also only has 83 parking spaces when 204 are required.

"The pre-existing conditional, nonconforming use is inherently beneficial, and has been at the property for nearly 30 years and will not create any negative impact," the applicant, Search Day Program Inc., asserted in asking for approval.

The owner of the property was identified as Ivy Hedge Corp. in the papers.

The Search Day School previously applied for permission to expand, but was denied and lost its appeal to the state Superior Court May 10, 1999.

In addition to constructing the new building, the school plans to enclose an existing swimming pool, which will be located behind the new building, and to create a new playground behind the existing school building.