2008-04-04 Planning Commission Minutes

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Commissioner Siracusa at this time made a correction to the application as the HVC’s operation NOT isthe only vanilla farm in the United States and the first USDA organic vanilla farm in the county as she knows of another organic vanilla farm in the Waawaa Subdivision. There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the agenda item. It was moved by Commissioner Woodward and seconded by Commissioner Domingo that the hearing be continued to the next Hilo meeting. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Woodward, Domingo, Ogata, Rho, Siracusa and Watanabe) and three absent and excused (Alameda, Bowman and Iwashita). PLANNING COMMISSION The Commission took this item up at 4:29 p.m. with RULE 9 (SMA) one person from the public in attendance. PLANNING DIRECTOR ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR Amendment to Planning Commission Rule 9 (Special Management Area) by including requirements to mitigate the adverse impacts of light pollution in coastal areas and artificial lights on the shoreline and ocean waters by prohibiting the positioning of artificial lights in a manner causing direct illumination of the shoreline and ocean waters. This amendment is mandated by Act 224, Sessions Law of Hawaii 2005. Mr. Darrow briefly described the proposed amendment, noting the Legislature found light pollution can be disruptive to avian and marine life. Commissioner Siracusa commented she felt this proposal is overdue and referred to her experience with the death of an endangered shearwater, which was a loss of not only that shearwater but her future progeny. Commissioner Domingo felt the County should also address the activities that will take place at the Pohakuloa training area, such as use of the Stryker vehicles where it will create dust pollution that will affect the earth’s atmosphere and impede the ability of the astronomers to look into the night sky and also create additional housing and developments where it would generate more lights. Commissioner Woodward agreed that the proposal is a great idea as there are a number of impacts of light pollution including enjoyment of night sky, noting he felt the biggest impact is probably on turtle hatchlings as they get attracted to high beams instead of moon beams and would be headed not to the sea but inland and perish. Commissioner Siracusa noted there were numerous alternatives so that there can be lights for safety and yet not impact endangered species along the shoreline such as pointing the lights downward or having lights along a pathway at knee level. Commissioner Woodward suggested the County consider using low intensity red fluorescent lights as an alternative, such as those currently being used on Mauna Kea. 10