2022-01-20 Leeward Planning Commission Minutes

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2. Report on Special Management Area (SMA) determinations, minor permits and enforcement action issued by the Planning Director. At 11:42 a.m. Chairman Vitousek introduced this item. There were no questions about the December 2021 logs that had been distributed earlier. Mr. Roy spoke of the efforts to improve the SMA program that staff had been making, which included making the online application process easier through the Electronic Processing and Information Center site by providing more guidance and information for people to understand why they are applying in the Special Management Area. He said that they are also working on publishing SMA Assessments on the Planning Department website, along with the currently available SMA Majors and SMA Minors, so that public members can search and review the information; presently, if an applicant receives an exempt or approval letter via Assessment application, there was no mechanism for the public to easily find that information. He said that the improvement is intended to make the SMA information more accessible and understandable not only to the public but also to the Commissioners for their decision-making, such as the training provided to them some time ago. Chairman Vitousek pointed out that among the current members, only Commissioner DeFranco and he had been in that training. He asked that the training material be shared with the rest of the Commissioners so that they will have the same information. Mr. Roy concurred and invited them to contact him with any questions about the SMA or Coastal Zone Management Program. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING At 11:46 a.m. Chairman Vitousek introduced this item. Mr. Kay informed the Commission that there were no agenda items for the next February meeting since a Change of Zone application and a court remand for the Bolton Special Permit application that had tentatively been scheduled for February were pushed back for more time. Chairman Vitousek asked if there was any update from Mauna Lani Resort on the status of compliance with their condition to connect to the adjacent Waikoloa Beach Resort, which had been brought up at the December 16, 2021, meeting. Mr. Kay responded that the Planning Department was currently either drafting the letter or awaiting their response, and that the information would be provided to the Commissioners as soon as it was received. No additional items were requested by the Commissioners. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Leeward Planning Commission's next monthly meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 17, 2022 by interactive video conference via Zoom and at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Community Center, Building G conference room. At 11:47 a.m. Chairman Vitousek confirmed with Mr. Kay that the February meeting was cancelled. Mr. Kay also noted that unless the Governor extends his Emergency Proclamation Related to Sunshine Law In-Person Meetings dated December 29, 2021, the West Hawaii Civic Center, Building G, will be the physical site for the following March 17, 2022, meeting. 5 Leeward Planning Commission January 20,2022,Meeting Minutes