2009-01-15 Planning Commission Minutes

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APPLICANT: HAWAIIAN RAINBOWS DEVELOPMENT, LLC (SPP 08-000071) Special Permit to allow the removal and sale of stockpiled topsoil for a 4.07-acre area situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District.The project site is located along the east (makai) side of the Old Railroad Way and southwest of the former Pepeekeo Power Plant, makai of State Highway 19, Makahanaloa, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-8-8: portion of 144. Mr. Darrow oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, summarized the requests, and noted the Planning Director recommended revocation of Special Permit No. 118 and approval of Special Permit 08-000071 with conditions. The applicant’s representative, Richard Johnson, was in attendance. Chairman Watanabe and Mr. Darrow reviewed the recommendations of the Director and the proposed conditions of approval with Mr. Johnson, as his partner who was called out of town at the last minute did not provide that to him. Mr. Johnson then stated the applicant agreed with the proposed conditions of approval. For Commissioner Bowman’s information, Mr. Johnson said the area they are looking at right now is subdivided into four 23-acre lots and has approximately 4,000,000 cubic yards of soil that have been washed off the cane. He said their intent is selling three of the lots as farms and using one lot for a continuing soil operation. Commissioner Bowman felt the applicant should include additional acreage in this proposal rather than applying again in the future. Ms. Johnson said as they purchased a total of 550 acres, it was possible they may apply for another permit in the future, but with this special permit and an additional permit on an adjacent lot, they already have several years’ worth of excavation to be done. In response to Commissioner Housel’s inquiries, Mr. Johnson said after the soil is removed they will seed the soil with annual rye, noting submitted maps show existing and final contours prepared by a licensed civil engineer. He said after the soil is removed the grade of the land will be relatively shallow or flat, noting he has not seen any erosion problems. There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the applications. Regarding Special Permit No. 1188, it was moved by Commissioner Woodward and seconded by Commissioner Domingo that the permit be revoked. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Woodward, Domingo, Bowman, Housel, Ogata and Watanabe) and two absent and excused (Alameda and Iwashita). Regarding Special Permit No. 08-000071, it was moved by Commissioner Woodward and seconded by Commissioner Domingo that the application be approved with conditions. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Woodward, Domingo, Bowman, Housel, Ogata and Watanabe) and two absent and excused (Alameda and Iwashita). MINUTES At 2:48 p.m., the Commission took up the following minutes: 7