REP PC 077 2022/09/20 (2020-2022)

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: September 20, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 945/Bill No. 201 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 9:30 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 201, reports as follows: Bill No. 201, submitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth, via Communication No. 945, dated August 10, 2022, amends the State Land Use Boundaries Maps for the County of Hawaii by changing the district classification from the Agricultural District to the Urban District at Kealakekua, South Kona, Hawaii, covered by Tax Map Key: 8-1-008:004. The applicant is Amy Hagen-Cowell Trust. The project area is approximately 6.875 acres. Bill No. 201 was introduced by Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz, by request. Bill No. 201 is a companion bill to Bill No. 202, to which discussion is open globally. The Leeward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for this amendment to the State Land Use Boundaries Map and change of zone, which would allow the applicant to subdivide the property into a total of 15 lots, with a minimum lot size of 14,000 square feet, with one existing single-family dwelling and supporting infrastructure on each lot. The property is located on the east(mauka) side of Hawaii Belt Road(Highway 11) at its intersection with Alii Drive and Napo`opo`o Road, Ka`awaloa(mauka) in South Kona. Planning consultant Sidney Fuke, present before Your Committee in the Kona Chambers, explained that the property is surrounded by Residential Zoned lots, and he noted that an Urban designation of the subject property falls in line with the General Plan and Kona Community Development Plan to keep the area low-to-medium density. There are 25 water credits available on the property, and the applicant intends to subdivide the property into 15 one-acre lots to provide adequate lot sizes without making the area too dense. Mr. Fuke continued to explain that the applicant has agreed to the $124,000 Fair Share Contribution for local infrastructure improvements. The applicant is working with the Hawaii Department of Transportation on a traffic assessment to address ingress-egress sight issues. The applicant, Bob Cowell, appeared before Your Committee via Zoom. He noted that this property has been in his family for many years and wanted to use it in a way to benefit the community. He explained that his intention for the subdivision is to be large enough for families to have the option to farm and grow their own food. PC Report No.: 77