Laserfiche WebLink
PC-79 Page 2 October 5,2022 <br /> Planning consultants Sidney Fuke and Daryn Arai, present before Your Committee in the Hilo <br /> Chambers, provided historical context for the area and present-day information regarding the <br /> proposed project. Mr. Fuke explained that when Kohala Sugar Company closed in 1971, it was <br /> the beginning of the end of the sugar plantation economy and lifestyle. Many of the plantations <br /> along Hamakua began shutting down, including Hamakua Sugar Company The single-owner <br /> operation wanted to preserve the economies-of-scale of the former plantation lands, and began <br /> selling off parcels to plantation workers to take care of and sustain their families. In 1978, the <br /> zoning classification was applied to this parcel along with another 100-acre parcel. This subject <br /> parcel was the last to be subdivided, and many of the previous zoning criteria no longer apply. <br /> Mr. Arai addressed concerns regarding the adequacy of Lehua Street to be able to serve the <br /> proposed project's traffic impacts. He explained that it is a County Road which is well <br /> maintained, and no safety concerns were brought up by the County Police Department or Public <br /> Works Department. He noted that they believed the one-lane bridge is safe as-is, and widening or <br /> straightening the road would not be necessary; the $124,000 Fair Share contributions can be used <br /> to maintain and upkeep Lehua St. He noted that there is no FEMA (Federal Emergency <br /> Management Agency) designated floodway and that the project will not cause adverse flooding <br /> impacts or erosion. He further explained that Condition E within the Planned Unit Development <br /> mandates the consideration of view planes. <br /> Mr. Arai elaborated that issuance of the PUD is tied to the change of zone request, and it <br /> provides limited exceptions for roadway design, setbacks, lot sizes and shapes, and other aspects <br /> of the subdivision design. Mr. Arai explained that the PUD application was approved by the <br /> Windward Planning Commission and would go into effect upon approval of this ordinance. <br /> Committee Member Heather Kimball spoke in full support of the project. She highlighted that <br /> the applicants were open to meeting with the community and accommodating their concerns and <br /> that the downzone meant it would not be a high-density project. She also noted that the <br /> topography makes this a tricky development and concerns to mitigate drainage and erosion will <br /> be on the eventual homeowners. <br /> Committee Member Sue Lee Loy voiced her support for the project and reflected on <br /> Mrs. Meeker's testimony on purchasing her first home. She noted the need for local residents <br /> to create generational wealth, which could be achieved through home ownership. She voiced her <br /> appreciation of the walkable path within the subdivision and suggested co-locating Mass Transit <br /> Hubs within a walkable distance of the subdivision to alleviate Lehua St. concerns. <br /> Committee Members Aaron Chung and Maile David voiced their support for the project and <br /> their appreciation of the historical context of plantation lands. <br /> Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked about details regarding the PUD, to <br /> which Mr. Arai repeated that the PUD outlines specific design elements and standards for the <br /> development. Mr. Fuke explained that not all parcels of the subdivision will meet the subdivision <br /> code criteria, so the PUD addresses each parcel's exceptions and tailored designs. <br /> PC Report No.: 79 <br />