Opinion ID: 1810729
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Square footage

Text: ¶ 24. The Board contends that because the hearing officer found that Hughes's 15,919 square footage projection was understated, his application was substantially incomplete or noncompliant with the criteria in the Plan and the Manual. Johnny Wynne (Wynne), Hughes's architect, testified that in calculating the square footage, the non-heated areas were inadvertently left out of the calculations. Wynne prepared the preliminary schematic drawings on his computer but failed to take in to account the non-heated areas. The 479 square-foot understatement represented approximately 3% of the total project. The hearing officer determined that if there are any modifications to the Kennington [Hughes] floor plan, these modifications will be only minor and will not result in an appreciable difference from the 15,919 square feet proposed in the Kennington's application. ¶ 25. Dale Carr of the MSDH's Licensure Division testified at the CON hearing that it makes absolutely no sense that anyone would prepare full scale, full blown architectural plans and drawings prior to receiving a CON. Typically, a basic plan is a projection. ¶ 26. Wynne rebutted the testimony by the Board's architectural expert witness, Brett Gasaway (Gasaway), that Hughes's nursing home plan for a 15,919 square foot facility did not comply with the licensing regulations. Wynne testified that he had been employed as an architect since 1963, with vast experience in the construction of nursing homes. In 1983, Wynne started his own business. Wynne estimated that since 1983, he builds 3 to 4 nursing homes a year. Prior to that while employed with Mediplex, an architectural company which builds nursing homes, he built 47 nursing homes. Based on his vast experience, Wynne was confident the 15,919 square foot facility would comply with the licensure regulations. Wynne noted that the areas for the clean linen storage and laundry that Gasaway claimed was missing was located at the center court on the design. ¶ 27. The Board also raised questions about whether Hughes could provide adult day care, social and recreational activities, therapy and barber and beauty shop services in a 15,919 square foot facility. ¶ 28. Armstrong testified that an adult day care center program is not required as part of a skilled nursing facility. Carr also testified that Mississippi does not license in a category called adult day care. Hughes stated that unoccupied rooms could be used for adult day care for the first year with future expansion to accommodate such a program. According to Armstrong, while it may be listed in an application, there is no requirement that it be done. No points are provided for having adult day care. ¶ 29. Larry Fortenberry (Fortenberry) is the owner of Southern Health Care, the company designated to manage and operate the Kennington. Fortenberry testified that he has been a licensed nursing home administrator for approximately 30 years, managing 3 nursing homes, including Hughes's nursing home, Willow Creek, located in Byram, Mississippi. Fortenberry is a member of the Independent Nursing Home Association. Based on his experience, Fortenberry testified that while there is no requirement that a therapy room be provided, you do have to meet the needs of the residents and provide therapy as we do in our facilities. Our therapy is done in the [resident's] room which provides a little more dignity and privacy to the residents which is a big issue in patient rights and that's where they want most of their therapy provided. Fortenberry noted that the semi-private rooms would be equipped with curtains which can be drawn and doors that would close in order to provide privacy for the therapy. ¶ 30. The Board argues that Hughes's plan does not contain a separate activity or recreation room. Wynne testified that Hughes planned to have a folding curtain in the dining room to be able to hold assemblies. Wynne observed that his design as opposed to small separate rooms would better accommodate the trend of residents wanting to have space for an assembly of all the people at Christmas or family gatherings. According to Wynne, the building would accommodate all of the requirements. ¶ 31. The Board also argues that Hughes's floor plan does not account for barber/beauty shop services. However, Carr testified that a barber/beauty shop is not required under the licensing regulations. Therefore, it does not count against the applicant. Wynne testified that while the service is not required, the building plan is large enough to accommodate the service. Wynne noted that the barber/beauty shop service is not offered on an eight hour per day basis but on a contract basis. ¶ 32. The chancery court did not find that the MSDH erred in considering Hughes's bid. The chancery court stated: It is true that Mr. Hughes's bid was not complete when originally submitted and that in the hearing process, the hearing officer, apparently, treated it as modified in some areas, but there was substantial evidence to support part of his proposal. The system used by the Department [MSDH] permits amendments to the proposal, and the system permits adjustments to be made in the hearing process when deficiencies or errors are discovered. ¶ 33. This Court finds that the chancery court did not err in finding substantial evidence to support the decision of the hearing officer and the SHO. The MSDH's decision was not arbitrarily or capriciously made as to Hughes's ranking in this category.