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LAAC-16 Page 2 May 20, 2025 <br />Planning Consultant Daryn Arai addressed the committee noting that due to some procedural <br />questions regarding Bill 199, the Applicant desired to further postpone. Bill 198 was <br />postponed to February 4, 2025. <br />Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions meeting of February 4, 2025 <br />Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow, Planning Consultant Daryn Arai, Katherine Garson of Carlsmith <br />Ball, LLC, and Applicants John and Joni Metzler, were present in the Chambers. <br />Mr. Darrow provided a PowerPoint presentation via Communication No. 1015.48 and <br />1015.49, which outlined the recommendations of the Leeward Planning Commission and the <br />Planning Director. <br />Applicant Joni Metzler provided some background information, including its initial purchase <br />of the 15-acre property from the Ishikawa family in 2002, wherein property was overgrown <br />and not maintained with no agricultural activity. After clearing some 600 tons of construction <br />debris on properly and restoring the existing homes, said homes were rented to local families <br />from Waimea. The property has since been used to graze horses; however, the intent is to <br />improve the property to create smaller and affordable agricultural lots for young families. The <br />front portion of property was zoned Commercial-7,500 but was later rescinded due to <br />previous owners' inability to follow through. Ms. Metzler states that it meets the County of <br />Hawaii General Plan, the Community Development Plan, and the State of Hawaii Land Use <br />Management Plan and has interested buyers for both the agricultural lots and the commercial <br />parcels. <br />Committee Members engaged in discussion with Mr. Darrow, and the applicants and their <br />representatives relating to the Leeward Planning Commission's findings, the requirements of <br />applicants, the large amount of testimony and testifiers in opposition, and the opportunity to <br />have further community engagement. <br />Various Committee Members suggested a meeting between the Metzler's, their representatives, <br />and the community. <br />Bill No. 198 was further postponed to March 6, 2025. <br />Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions meeting of March 6, 2025 <br />Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow, Planning Consultant Daryn Arai, Katherine Garson of Carlsmith <br />Ball, LLC, and Applicant John Metzler were present. <br />Committee Members engaged in discussion with Mr. Darrow, and the applicant and their <br />representatives relating to the community meeting initiated by Council Member James Hustace <br />and the community concerns including infrastructure and traffic issues, the preservation of <br />agricultural lands, the commercial aspect, the potential for affordable housing, the need for <br />housing in general, and the additional opportunity for the community to provide its collective <br />feedback to the applicants. <br />LAAC Report No. 16 <br />