2008-04-04 Planning Commission Minutes

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beyond the highway itself for a future road widening. Mr. Nishimura said the frontage between the building and actual highway right-of-way appears to be roughly 120 feet. Mr. Nishimura stated the applicant has reviewed the Planning Director’s background and recommendation and will be able to comply with the proposed conditions. In response to Commissioner Rho’s inquiry, Mr. Yamamoto said the County is considering subdividing the property and having a park on the bottom portion and selling the remaining upper portion, noting the land is rather steep. Mr. Nishimura added that there has not been any active use of the property since the County obtained the property from Hamakua Sugar Company for real property taxes that were unpaid. Commissioner Rho questioned whether the applicant considered locating the facility further mauka as he felt the area in question is prime real estate property. In response Mr. Yamamoto explained that as Highway Maintenance protocol is after a disaster they go onto the highways to starting clearing immediately, they needed close access to a roadway, noting if they put it further back their access might be blocked in the front. Mr. Yamamoto added that a flat area is needed in order to build a maintenance facility, otherwise it could be extremely costly. It was moved by Commissioner Domingo and seconded by Commissioner Woodward that the request be approved as recommended by the Planning Director, with conditions. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Domingo, Woodward, Ogata, Rho, Siracusa and Watanabe) and three absent and excused (Alameda, Bowman and Iwashita). SPP 08-000049 The Commission took this item up at 4:25 p.m. with HAWAIIAN VANILLA one person from the public in attendance. COMPANY, INC. PAAUILO HOMESTEADS, HAMAKUA APPLICANT: HAWAIIAN VANILLA COMPANY, INC. (SPP 08-000049) Special Permit to allow a facility to market agricultural products, host educational tours, conducts culinary presentations, and operate a certified kitchen on 29,925 square feet of land situated in the State Land Use Agricultural District. The property is located along the south side of Paauilo Mauka Road, directly across from the Paauilo Mauka Road and Kaapahu Road nd junction, Paauilo (2 Series) Homesteads, Hamakua, Hawaii, TMK: 4-3-13:27. Mr. Darrow noted submitted into the record are the applicant’s March 7, 2008 correspondence requesting the hearing be continued to a specified date, and the Planning Director’s March 18, 2008 correspondence informing the applicant the Commission will be making a decision on the request for a continuance of the hearing to the next Hilo meeting. The applicant’s representative, James H. Reddekopp, Sr., was in attendance. 9