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PC-29 Page 2 August 6,2019 <br /> minimizing flooding in the area,but the applicant is only required to manage flooding and mitigate <br /> runoff for their particular project. He said that the entire area is listed as FEMA Flood Zone X, an area <br /> of minimal flood hazard outside of localized flooding with excessive heavy rains. <br /> Vice-Chair Susan Lee Loy stated that staff from the Department of Public Works would be coming <br /> forward to share information about Army Corps of Engineers work to be completed in the upper <br /> Waiakea Uka area to mitigate flooding and improve channelization to divert water back to appropriate <br /> floodways and canals. <br /> Council Member Herbert M. "Tim"Richards stated he could not ignore the concerns of the testifier <br /> regarding flooding. Council Chair Aaron Chung asked the testifier,Neil Gyotoku,to explain in more <br /> detail the flooding that he and his neighbors have experienced. Mr. Gyotoku referenced flooding in <br /> 2000 and Hurricane Lane in 2018. Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder stated that as <br /> development increases, flooding would as well. <br /> Mr. Darrow commented that the environmental report from the Army Corps of Engineer project had <br /> been completed and received by the Planning Department and was available online. He said that many <br /> of the issues being discussed would be addressed in their project and he looked forward to it. Vice Chair <br /> Lee Loy described more detail about the project and was pleased to know the Planning Department was <br /> utilizing the study to make good land use decisions. <br /> Acting Building Chief Robyn Matsumoto arrived on behalf of the Department of Public Works per <br /> Vice Chair Lee Loy's request to bring forth more information about the Army Corps of Engineer <br /> flooding mitigation study and projects. Ms. Matsumoto noted she was not as familiar with the project as <br /> Civil Engineer Bryce Harada, but if the subject property was designated as Zone X by FEMA,the only <br /> flooding it would experience would be localized. She stated she was not sure how the Army Corps of <br /> Engineer project would impact this particular project and would have to research to find out. <br /> Chair Kierkiewicz clarified with Mr. Gyotoku his desire to not stop the project, but to have a drainage <br /> study done prior to granting the change of zone request. Mr. Darrow explained that the drainage study <br /> was the next order of business, and that no grading permit would be issued without it. Chair Kierkiewicz <br /> confirmed that if the rezone was granted today, one of the conditions was that a drainage study would <br /> have to be completed. <br /> Civil Engineer Bryce Harada was brought before Your Committee upon his arrival and Vice Chair <br /> Lee Loy asked him to explain the Army Corps of Engineers study in more detail and to address the <br /> concerns expressed by Mr. Gyotoku. He provided some information about three sites proposed to assist <br /> with flooding mitigation. He could not speak to the amount of water that would be mitigated when <br /> asked, or how it would directly impact or assist with flooding at the subject property before the <br /> Committee. <br /> Council Chair Chung wanted to know how the drainage study would be able to measure whether or not <br /> an appropriate amount of water had been mitigated. Mr. Darrow explained the nuances between when to <br /> allow construction permits, land altering permits, and the like, and when to allow projects to proceed <br /> based upon various studies that are required. Process within the Department of Public Works, such as <br /> the review of studies conducted by outside licensed engineers,were discussed in more detail with <br /> Ms. Matsumoto. <br /> PC Report No.29 <br />