2008-04-04 Planning Commission Minutes

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The applicant’s representative, Steve Lim, stated the applicant agrees with the Planning Director’s recommendation. There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the application. It was moved by Commissioner Woodward and seconded by Commissioner Rho to send a favorable recommendation to the County Council as recommended by the Planning Director. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Woodward, Rho, Domingo, Ogata, Siracusa and Watanabe) and three absent and excused (Alameda, Bowman and Iwashita). SPP 05-014 The Commission took this item up at 3:43 p.m. with COUNTY OF HAWAII three people from the public in attendance. DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS KEONEPOKO-NUI AND KEONEPOKO-IKI, PUNA APPLICANT: COUNTY OF HAWAII DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS (SPP 05-014) Amendment to Special Permit No. 05-014, which allowed the establishment of a fire station and related uses on 8.189 acres of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The request is to also allow the construction of a police station and related uses and to increase the affected land area to 9.5 acres. The property involved is the fire station site currently under construction and situated along the northeast side of the Keaau-Pahoa Road (Highway 130), approximately 1,400 feet north of the Highway 130-Pahoa Village Road junction, Keonepoko- Nui and Keonepoko-Iki, Puna, Hawaii, TMK: 1-5-7: portion of 17. Mr. Darrow 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 recommended approval of the application with conditions, as amended. In light of the applicant’s representation, Mr. Darrow then suggested a new Condition 4 regarding a channelized intersection. Commissioner Siracusa said the applicants made a presentation to the community and she found everyone wanted to see it happen because it would allow emergency services to get faster to the scene of emergencies. However, she pointed out numerous accidents in the area and questioned the TIAR. The applicant’s representative, Brian Nishimura and David Yamamoto, were in attendance. For Commissioner Siracusa’s information, Mr. Nishimura said there will be a channelized intersection with left turn and right turn lane. He clarified that there will not be any traffic signal lights at the intersection and the only lights provided are the flashing lights to indicate that the Fire Department will be leaving the property during fire emergencies. He added both the Police and Fire Departments will be using a single access point. 7