2010-02-05 Windward Planning Commission Minutes

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improvements consisting of shoulders and continued berm treatment to the property, which would be consistent with the Hawaiian Rainforest 10-acre site that the Commission approved a year ago Commissioner Kern at this time stated that he does have an interest in the property across the street, otherwise known as Ulupono Center, but that he has no interest with Greenhouse Specialists whatsoever so it will not affect the outcome of his decision. He then indicated the locations of the County- and State-owned portions of the roadways in the area. Ms. Leithead Todd pointed out that the road on the Rain Forest application was going to remain in private ownership, whereas, the portion of Milo Street fronting the subject parcel that is privately owned is currently under consideration for dedication to the County; and she agreed with Mr. Yeh that the portion of Milo Street fronting the property should be widened an additional 20 to 22 feet to align with the approximately 80-foot wide State-owned portion of Milo Street. Mr. Hayashi stated for the record that proposed Condition E should be corrected to require a 20- foot setback rather than a 40-foot setback. Mr.Yeh stated that instead of a 20-foot setback it should actually be 22 feet. Tim Rees spoke in support of the application, noting he is friends with the Seatons and have done some business in the past with them as he does build greenhouses and shade houses. He expressed his concern about the Keaau Bypass backing up and the general traffic congestion on the main road servicing this project caused by the layout of the lanes on the Bypass Road. He said the solution to this problem is to create a smooth merge of two lanes from Highway 11 onto Keaau Bypass into one, noting there is approximately a mile and a half to do this merge from the right to the left lane, suggesting the State Department of Transportation put up signs stating “Single Lane Ahead, Pahoa Through Traffic Left Lane Only.” He noted this solution, although several planners and engineers were interested, appears to have fallen through the cracks, noting an instance of the County informally stating they have contracted with the State DOT to manage the intersection lights but no contract can be found. He pointed out that the barricades in front of the Keaau High School football field were installed because people were trying to pass on the right of the three lanes in that area, adding an improper entry lane beyond the Old Keaau Village Road intersection needed to be removed as it was adding to the traffic problem in the area. There was no further public testimony offered at this time. Regarding the State Land Use Boundary Amendment, it was moved by Commissioner Iwashita and seconded by Commissioner Domingo to send a favorable recommendation to the County Council. Commissioner Iwashita said it was his conviction that all community development plans should have a designation of urbanized areas in the existing urban cores and that the Commission should look at those designations in providing community guidance on where rezonings such as these would be allowed, noting the property is on the urbanized area and questioned why the community did not include these lands in the CDP. Commissioner Iwashita 5