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Communication 493 <br /> Bill 162 <br /> Page 4 <br /> California. Shc urged the Council to implement more and better water diversion practices before <br /> approving subdivision of lots in areas subject to inundation. <br /> At the November 8°i Planning Committee, Councilmember Hoffmann reiterated his position, <br /> based on his recent survey of community residents, that he will not support any further <br /> subdivision ofland in Waimea until necessary infrastructural improvements have been made. <br /> Mr. Hoftinann also called for the County to conduct a water mitigation study for this area, and to <br /> prepare a master plan to deal with run-off and water flow generated by development ofland in <br /> the affected area. Mr. Hoffinann suggested that it would be prudent to wait for the completion of <br /> the water- mitigation effort before permitting further subdivision of areas subject to periodic <br /> inundation for residential pu~oses. Mr. Hoffmann expressed concern for the health and safety of <br /> potential and current residents of this area saying "Any further paving over or subdividing will <br /> exacerbate the flooding problem. We have clear-cut evidence of flooding occurring in this <br /> location right now. We need to take action before we approve any further subdivision. We can't <br /> allow this problem to go unattended, since it affects the major road through town." <br /> Councilmember Ikeda asked the applicant, represented by Alan and Melvin Inaba, if there is any <br /> way to alleviate flooding on the property. The applicant responded that the water is coming from <br /> <br /> mauka of the applicant's property, from the State- and DHHL-owned (Department of Hawaiian <br /> home Lands) properties to the north. The water is just passing through the applicants property <br /> <br /> on its way down slope. <br /> Councilman Jacobson stated that it will make the flooding worst, if this subdivision creates <br /> additional impervious surfaces on this property. He said that "We need to understand the <br /> flooding problems and solve them before we approve further development." <br /> Councilman Arakaki agreed that the County needs to engage in facilities planning, but he argued <br /> that this is an involved process that could take 10 - 20 years. "We need to continue to allow <br /> development in the meantime," he said. <br /> Councilmember Hoftinann stated that he felt the Council would he remiss if they allowed <br /> subdivision of an area which floods regularly and creates hazardous conditions on a major <br /> highway. Mr. Hoftinann cited Section 23-37 of the Hawai"i County Code, which reads, "No area <br /> subject to periodic inundation may be subdivided for residential purposes." Mr. Hoffinann <br /> argued that any water mitigation plan will be for a very specific area and won't take a long time, <br /> if the process is started soon. <br /> Councilmember Holschuh asked Planning Director Yuen about standard rezoning conditions of <br /> approval which deal with drainage. Mr. Yuen explained that DPW (Department of Public <br /> Works) would typically require the applicant to store a certain percentage of water in drywells, <br /> but there would be no requirement to change the direction that water currently flows in across the <br /> property, which is toward the low point in the highway fronting this area. Mr. Yuen explained <br /> that the Kamuda highlands vision <br /> NC REPORT NO. 41 <br /> <br />