2008-09-04 Planning Commission Minutes

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Commissioner Iwashita felt the big problem in Puna was created when all of the substandard subdivisions were approved many years ago, where the relatively inexpensive lands were developed into house lots and not used for agricultural purposes as the zoning indicates. He felt the Puna Community Development Plan is the process that should be used, and approving special permits for ten years would take away the incentive for people to seek the proper zoning. He pointed out that the applicants established the business with their eyes wide open with an initial five-year time extension and with the understanding that the business would move when properly zoned lands became available. He said granting a ten-year extension would be like starting a spot zoning kind of process which he could not support. Commissioner Domingo felt a ten-year time extension should be approved because of the growing need for such necessary services in the development of the Puna area, the applicants are sincerely attempting to establish their business legally, and as they have over a million dollars worth of investments on that property, it would be difficult for them to relocate to another area at this time. He suggested the applicants, meanwhile, pursue a boundary amendment and change of zone to legitimize their business on the subject property rather than going through the special permit route. He felt the Commission should not burden the applicants even more than what they’re faced with at this time. First Vice-Chairman Woodard suggested as a compromise Condition 14 be amended to state: “If the applicant should require an additional extension of time the applicant shall submit a request to the Planning Department for appropriate action,” rather than to the Planning Commission, so that if there is no other urban areas available the Department can grant another five years which could then essentially give the applicants ten years. Upon Director Yuen’s and Commissioner Iwashita’s suggestions, it was moved by Commissioner Domingo and seconded by Commissioner Ogata that Condition No. 14 be amended to read “If the events in Condition No. 5 have not occurred, the Planning Director may administratively extend the life of the permit to not more than five years. If the Planning Director refuses to administratively extend the permit the applicant may submit a request to the Planning Commission for appropriate action. Further, should any of the conditions not be met or substantially complied with in a timely fashion, the Director may initiate procedures to revoke the permit.” Commissioner Bowman said she had concerns of setting a precedent, but she felt this was a good compromise. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with seven ayes (Domingo, Ogata, Housel, Alameda, Bowman, Iwashita and Woodward) and one absent and excused (Watanabe). SPP 08-000056The Commission took this item up at 9:59 a.m. with SATORUapproximately 11 people from the public in attendance. STEWART MAEDA OLAA, PUNA APPLICANT: SATORU STEWART MAEDA (SPP 08-000056) Special Permit to allow the establishment of a commercial boarding kennel, a quarantine kennel, office, and certified kitchen on 4 acres of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The property is located off the south side of Ihope Street, approximately 0.7 mile 3