REP PC 119 07/31/2006 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Communication 953 Bill 305 Page 5 of 8 planned development could be compatible and better than `Ghana zonings and suggested applicant take a break, postpone this matter, look at the numbers and then come back again. Planning Director Yuen stated he recommends approval because of the need for affordable housing and that Wainaku is zoned for something like this. However, he said sewer availability needs to be upgraded. So if not in the Laukapu azea, there are no other real alternatives for affordable housing and when ranking compatibility with surcounding area, Mr. Yuen ranks multi-family housing first and industrial uses last. Director Yuen stated affordable housing is needed in Hilo, but that it is difficult to find areas within which to do it. Council Chair Higa stated he is still voting against this application, but had concerns with the `ohana aspect which may end up housing more people than what amulti-family residential unit will generate. Director Yuen stated there is no limit as to number of people per single family home, but occupants may be limited based upon sewer availability. Mr. Yuen stated a total of five unrelated people can occupy one house and that currently, the requirement is one and a quarter pazking space for each multi-family unit, however, Mr. Mochida is being required to provide two. Mc Fuke stated Mr. Mochida is now willing to postpone until next planning committee meeting. Upon Committee Vice Chair Hoffman's inquiry if postponement to the next meeting would be sufficient time for applicant, Mr. Higa stated he would have no problem with postponing this matter for two committee meetings. Motion made to postpone until first committee meeting in September. Committee Chair Pilago spoke against the postponement since the applicant had earlier expressed his desire to have this matter voted upon today and noted Mr. Nekoba's comment stating that postponing this matter would not make a difference. By a show of hands, this matter was postponed to the first Planning Committee meeting in September. At the October 18, 2006 Planning Committee meeting the applicant Ivan Mochida, Planning Consultant Sidney Fuke and Director Yuen were present. No testifiers were present at the Kona or Waimea Council Offices, however, at the new Council Chambers in the Ben Franklin Building in Hilo, public testimony was received from the following persons: Mrs. Toyama testified in opposition to Bill 315 and noted that she was extremely disappointed with the proposed development which will increase current density causing safety issues and give rise to increased traffic and congestion. She also expressed major concerns regarding increased surface runoff and flooding since Laukapu Street lacks proper infrastructure. Mrs. Miriam Hamakawa testified in opposition and noted she was willing to compromise to a reduction in units from 25 to 12 as density has been a big issue however, no compromise was reached. Mrs. Victoria Abe testified in opposition and noted her primary concern was to keep the neighborhood "single family residential." She understands that change happens and she is willing to compromise however, she feels that a density of 25 units negatively impacts the area. She stated that her husband asked Mr. Fuke whether Mr. Mochida would consider a compromise reducing the number of units from 25 to 12, but Mr. Mochida declined. Mrs. Abe stated that with respect to the other possibilities being discussed today, there is still no assurance that those possibilities will actually materialize in the future. ('Che Planning Committee is joined by Council Chair Higa and Council Member Safazik) PC Report No. 119