REP PC 080 2016/11/01 (2014-2016)

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: November 1, 2016 Re: Comm. No. 981.4/Bill No. 228, Draft 2 PLACE: Council Chambers Ifilo, Ilawai`i TIME: 9:04 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 228, Draft 2, reports as follows: Bill No. 228, Draft 2, introduced by Mr. llagan via Communication No. 981.4 dated August 22, 2016, amends Section 25-8-33 (City of Hilo Zone Map), Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition), by changing the district classification from single-family residential — 7,500 square feet (RS -7.5) to neighborhood commercial —7,500 square feet (CN -7.5) at Punahoa 2nd, South Hilo, Hawaii, covered by'fax Map Key: 2-3-035:018. The applicant is Hilo Medical Center, and the subject parcel covers 9,230 square feet. The applicant intends to build a parking lot for employees of the Hilo Community Surgery Center, which the applicant operates and has a nearly 40 percent interest. The Windward Planning Commission, at its duly held public hearing on July 7, 2016, concurred with the recommendation by the Planning Director to send an unfavorable recommendation regarding the original Bill 228 to the Council. Your Committee on August 16, 2016, then amended Bill 228 to Draft 2 with the contents of Communication No. 981.1 and then referred it back to the Windward Planning Commission. The Windward Planning Commission, at its duly held public hearing on October 6, 2016, concurred again with the recommendation by the Planning Director to send an unfavorable recommendation to the Council. Mayor William P. Kenoi transmitted the Commission's unfavorable recommendation via Communication No. 981.7, dated October 13, 2016. Mr. Chung, in whose district the subject property is located, stated that he had already decided how he was going to vote, and said he wanted to hear what other Committee members thought. Ms. Poindexter acknowledged Cheryl Reis, who lives next to the subject property, and who provided testimony in opposition. Ms. Poindexter said Ms. Reis' comments brought her back to her interest in preserving the value of precious community places such as those that exist in Ms. Poindexter's district, and also on the street fronting the subject property. She said her heart is definitely for the grass roots and for the maintenance of a community's culture and heritage. Ms. David also thanked Ms. Reis for coming forward. Ms. David said she had read the recommendation of the Planning Director and the Windward Planning Commission. Ms. David said that what stood out to her in the director's unfavorable recommendation was that any condition that would limit the use of the property would be considered a "contract zoning," which has been successfully challenged. Ms. David also noted the director's recommendation that the full range of allowable uses in a neighborhood commercial district is not appropriate in a residential setting. Ms. David thanked Ms. Reis for putting together a comprehensive exhibit for the Committee members. PC Report No. 80