2010-01-08 Windward Planning Commission Minutes

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APPLICANT: CONCEPT CONSTRUCTION, INC. (REZ 09-000108) Change of Zone for 40,764 square feet of land from a Single-Family Residential 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to a Neighborhood-Commercial 20,000 square feet (CN-20) district. The property is located along the west side of Kinoole Street, adjacent and to the south of the Law Offices of Tsukazaki Yeh and Moore, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-25:22. Ms. Cottle oriented the commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, summarized the request, and noted the Planning Director’s favorable recommendation to the County Council with conditions. The applicant’s representatives, Tom Yeh and Bruce Hansen, were in attendance. Mr. Yeh stated the proposed conditions were acceptable and reasonable to the applicant. Mr. Hanson briefly described his rendering of the facility that will fit within the neighborhood, noting their intention is to put landscaping around the building to give patients privacy. He said they are intending to purchase the 30-foot right-of-way parcel in the rear to be able to have 40 feet of lawn in the front of the building. The Chair felt the facility will fit in with the character of the surrounding area. Commissioner Iwashita said his more recent concern is having walkable communities, especially in this particular area near the University. Mr. Yeh said upon further consideration, they have agreed with the recommendation of the Department of Public Works to increase the width of the sidewalk, noting he imagined over time this will be what will be happening in this area. Commissioner Domingo felt this project was a good model for future developments other than residential homes, wherein a building is not laden with concrete all around the building. There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the application. Director Leithead Todd thanked Mr. Hansen for providing the rendering today as she did have concerns on what the project would look like. She felt the facility dovetails beautifully into the surrounding area, noting her greatest concern was changing the ambiance and character of one of the most beautiful blocks in Hilo. She said she liked the style of the roofline and unique architecture that has the partial Asian and partial Hawaiian feel with the surrounding landscaping. It was moved by Commissioner Iwashita and seconded by Commissioner Domingo to send a favorable recommendation to the County Council as recommended by the Planning Department, with the proposed conditions. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Iwashita, Domingo, Au, Ishibashi, Kern and Woodward). The Commission took the following item up at 10:40 a.m. with 30 people from the public in 1