REP PC 081 04/08/2008 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Communication 1113 Bill 274 Page 3 of 4 Chair Pilago clarified that on December 2007 there is a letter from the applicant to the Director requesting a two-year extension and that in January 2008 the Planning Director advised applicant that applicant's request would only extend the time to April 26, 2007. Therefore, the Director recommended that applicant be allowed a five-year time extension from April 26, 2005, when the original time lapsed. Councilmember Ford's concern was whether the applicant had been consistent in supplying the Department with annual reports and status updates. Director Yuen stated that this ordinance does not require annual reports and that currently, annual reports are only required of large projects such as Hualalai Resort and that to require annual reports of a typical project such as this would just add another layer of paperwork. In response to Ms. Ford's other concern that this application has been in existence since 1973, Director Yuen said there may have been confusion from the write-up of this proposal because they listed a lot of things located within Nani Mau Gardens as well as things connected with it that do date back to 1973. Councilmember Jacobson expressed concern about Mr. Lim's complaint of the Council's lack of consistency and that of the need to hold applicants accountable to what they agreed to in their rezonings. Mr. Jacobson said he would be voting against this proposal because of what appears to be a frequency of requests for extension resulting from applicants who are not taking the rules seriously. Councilmember Yagong stated that his focus was on the application which is consistent with the County General Plan in terms of placement of the project. He explained the proposal does not involve property located in areas associated with traffic mitigation issues or in an area where views, vistas and quality of life issues are at risk. Instead, Mr. Yagong noted, this proposal is about building a small subdivision in an area in Hilo that would provide housing opportunities for residents and those who work in Hilo or out in Puna. Mr. Yagong said he sees an applicant who is actually trying to address a housing market of people who may earn too much to qualify for affordable housing yet not enough to qualify to purchase a home and that in these tough economic times, someone willing to invest and provide housing opportunities to support continued economic growth on the side of the island that really needs it and this Council should applaud and support the proposal. PC Report No. 81