2011-02-17 Leeward Planning Commission Minutes

Home

The Commission took up the following item at 10:30 a.m. with three people from the public in attendance: APPLICANT: SUNSHINE HELICOPTERS, INC. (FORMERLY KENAI AIR HAWAII, INC.) (SPP 885) Amendment to Condition No. 9 of Special Permit No. 885, which allowed the establishment of a heliport and related facilities on approximately 4 acres of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The amendment request is to allow the heliport to continue operations for an additional 11 years under a new lease with the fee owner of the subject property. The project site is South Kohala, Hawai‘i, TMK: 6-2-01: Portion of 51. Mr. Darrow oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, summarized the request, and noted that the Planning Director recommended approval of the application with updated conditions. He corrected a typographical error in the staff background report and recommendation, saying that the reference toyear “1999” twice on Page 1 of each report should have been “2009.” The applicant’s representative, Paul Morris of Sunshine Helicopters, Inc., and planning consultant, Sidney Fuke, were in attendance. Mr. Fuke explained that the reason for the time lag between the permit expiration date of September 9, 2009 and this extension request was because the applicant had thought the permit had become effective when they started their operations in 1996, rather than the permit issuance date of 1994, and thus had calculated 15 years from 1996. He also stated that since the application submittal, the applicant had been able to finalize their license agreement with the landowner, Mauna Kea Development Corporation, to extend the term until October 16, 2020. Mr. Morris stated that the applicant had not received any complaints for its operation to date, and that it had neither exceeded the 20-landings-per-day limitation nor requested an amendment to increase the operations. He also stated that the applicant had been working with the Hawai‘i County Fire Department by providing fuel for the department’s available to the department as their command center in case of a brush fire, and that it would continue to work with the department. He added that a reservoir being very close to the heliport made it very convenient and efficient for the fire suppression helicopters. In response to Commissioner Housel’s question, Mr. Morris confirmed that there were no night landings, with the exception of emergencies. Commissioner Bowman inquired about their heliport office, which looked more substantial in a photograph than a portable office as described in the application. Mr. Morris responded that the office building had to be movable but also had been required to meet the building code for hurricane and earthquake. There was no one from the public wishing to testify in regard to this application. It was moved by Commissioner Housel and seconded by Commissioner Nelson that the application be approved, with the updated conditions. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried unanimously. 2