2007-05-04 THICDC ORI - Laserfiche WebLink

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NISHIMURA:Yes, Mr. Chairman, I would like to address one point that has been raised and a concern that has been expressed by the public, as well as by some of the Planning Commissioners, and that is the issue of conversion of prime Agricultural land to Urban uses, and the point being made that this would set a precedent that the public does not wish to see. And Id like to refer the Commission Members to Chris Yuens response to Lorraine Mendoza, page 5, the last paragraph, in which he addresses this point; and I just want to re-emphasize the point that Chris is making here. And that is that all along the Hamakua coast in the community of, not only along the Hamakua coast but Waimea in North Kohala, you have existing communities that are surrounded by prime Agricultural land. These areas, many of which were in sugar at one time, are considered prime Agricultural land. However, the County has designated small portions of these areas which surround existing communities for Low Density Urban uses. And this is something that is reflected in the County General Plan, its part of the long-range planning document for the County of Hawaii; and it recognizes that certain portions of these prime AgriculturallandswillhavetobeutilizedforUrbanpurposes.Thisisonesucharea.Itisnot something that we pulled out of the air or we are proposing to change at this point. Its something that has been on the County General Plan for many, many years, the Low Density Urban designation. And I think that if you look at all of the acreage along the Hamakua coast and North Kohala, we have, you know, Chris says 47,000 acres with this designation. Taking 7 acres to utilize for an affordable housing project is not making a dent in that acreage; and its not doing something that is contrary to the Countys long-range plan for the area. GRAHAM:Thank you, Mr. Nishimura. I think were about ready for a lunch break, maybe well come back, wed be back like quarter to 2. Does that sound doable Sharon? N0MURA:Yes. GRAHAM:Okay. I want to let you all know were sort of fortunate today in that we have 8 Commissioners here, so our chances of actually reaching a decision and not having a split vote is better than usual. And I also want to let you know that when we do go to lunch we generally eat together but we dont discuss this matter at all. So when we come back were just like we are right now. So dont be concerned about that. Thank you. So lunch break. RECESSEDThe Chair called a lunch recess at 12:30 p.m. RECONVENEDThe meeting reconvened at 1:54 p.m. GRAHAM:All right, the Planning Commission is back in order now. The agenda item before us that we were taking up before lunch is the application of Hawaiian Island Community Development Corporation and Hawaiian Rainbow Business Development, LLC with aStateLandUseBoundaryAmendmentandarezoningordinance.Wejustfinishedthepublic testimony part of the hearing and the applicants came back to the table, presented some responsesontheirparttowhattheyhadheardfromthepublictestimony,andIthinkitwouldbe appropriate if they wanted to come back to the table right now. Well probably catch a few questionsfromtheCommissionersbeforetheCommissiongoesintoitsdeliberationanddecision today. Lets see, so I think this is the point where the Commissioners have any exchange theyd liketodowiththeapplicantnowaboutwhathasbeenpresentedandquestionstothateffectis the right time to do it. And I think weve heard from the three applicants just before we took a 25EXHIBIT A