REP PC 013 2019/03/12 2018-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: March 12, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 134/Bill No. 33 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 9:03 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 33, reports as follows: Bill No. 33, transmitted by Mayor Harry Kim via Communication No. 134, dated February 14, 2019, an Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 06-107 which reclassified lands from Single Family Residential— 10,000 square feet(RS-10)to Neighborhood Commercial—20,000 square feet(CN-20) at Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawai`i, covered by Tax Map Key: 2-2-034:012 (Applicant: Makalika 521, LLC) (Area: 20,000 Square Feet). Mayor Kim forwarded the Windward Planning Commission's favorable recommendation from the February 7, 2019 public hearing in which the applicant requested to allow the construction of a new commercial structure in Condition B; complete the future road-widening as required in Condition D; amendments to complete the required off-site infrastructure improvements in Condition E; and an additional allowance of an administrative time extension allowed in Condition O. Standing in for the applicant and their planning consultant Sidney Fuke was Zendo Kern. Mr. Kern briefly summarized the project stating that it was a simple request for zone change from family residential to commercial zoning and a time extension was needed to complete the project. He explained that the original idea to expand the business known as Kilauea Kreations had changed since the time of the original purchase of the property and the completion of offsite infrastructure plans, noting that the current plan is to build a retail/office complex. Mr. Kern acknowledged that he had reviewed and was in agreement with the conditions of approval as outlined in the Windward Planning Commission's report after being questioned by Planning Committee Vice Chair Sue L. K. Lee Loy. Vice Chair Lee Loy pointed out Condition G, which had been amended, regarding a drainage study and asked Mr. Kern that if this, along with other required studies conducted through various entities to meet conditions of approval, set applicants up to fail in meeting the original timing requirements. Mr. Kern acknowledged that Vice Chair Lee Loy brought up "a very important conversation" about the planning and development process that applicants go through to meet all requirements of the County and otherwise, and that numerous variables such as financing and economic downturns, also impact development timelines and overall outcomes. He said that in his opinion, "making rezonings and applications actionable is critical" and provided some ideas, such as phasing, that might improve the process. Vice Chair Lee Loy then asked Corporation Counsel Amy Self, who immediately deferred to Planning Program Manager Jeff Darrow, about the rationale used regarding time limits. She explained that she had entered her third year on the Council and that in the last few months four time extensions had come PC Report No. 13