REP PC 102 11/06/2008 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Communication 1551 Bill 391 Page 2 of 4 2. Applicant is requesting a change of zone from RS-10 to RM-1.5 a parcel of land consisting of four acres. 3. Applicant proposes to lease the property to a company that will design, build, finance and operate a 106-unit, 400-bed student housing facility for students attending the nearby University ofHawai`i at Hilo and Hawaii Community College. 4. Construction cost of the project, including off-site infrastructure, would be approximately $40 to $50 million and commencement of construction would begin once all necessary permits and approvals were obtained and take about 14-16 months to complete. 5. Access to the subject property is from Kawili Street, atwo-lane major arterial roadway with aright-of--way width of about 80 feet, owned and maintained by the County. The applicant is proposing a single, unsignalized project driveway at Kawili Street with dedicated left-turn and right-turn lanes from the site. 6. County water is available to the site and the project will connect to the sewer line located on the north side of Kawili Street. 7. Electric and telephone services are available to the site and police and fire services are located within 1.5 miles of the subject property. The Hilo Medical Center is located about three miles from the site. 8. The Planning Director recommended favorably on this request based on the following: • The change of zone request will conform to the goals, policies and standards of the General Plan. • The Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) Map designates this area as Medium Density Urban, which reflects uses that are single-family and multiple- family residential, and village and neighborhood commercial in character. The proposed change of zone will be consistent with the surrounding land uses in the area and will provide for an orderly development of the area. • The Change of Zone request is not contrary to Chapter 205A, Hawaii Revised Statutes relating to Coastal Zone Management as the subject property is not located in the Special Management Area, being located over a mile from the nearest shoreline at an elevation of about 60 feet above sea level and outside the tsunami evacuation zone. • An archaeological assessment prepared by Haun & Associates found no evidence of any traditional and customary native Hawaiian rights being practiced on the site, nor existence of any known valued cultural, historical or native resources in the area. It is also noted that the subject property has been urbanized and extensively developed. • The project site is located within Zone "X", an area determined to be outside the 500- year flood plain. At the November 6, 2008 meeting, Sidney Fuke was present representing applicant and gave a brief background of the proposed project and how Honpa Hongwanji developed the idea for a student housing project. Mr. Fuke noted that a Memorandum of Agreement was developed between Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin and Place Properties to develop the proposed student housing and that the conditions as proposed by the Planning Director and the Planning Commission are generally acceptable, except for two conditions. Mr. Fuke then requested that the Council consider applicant's amendment and relieve the applicant from the fair share and affordable housing requirements. PC Repor[ No. 102