2006-12-01 Planning Commission Minutes

Home

REZ 06-000051 The Commission took this item up at 10:21 a.m. with HAWAII ISLAND approximately 18 people from the public in attendance. VETERAN’S MEMORIAL, INC. WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: HAWAII ISLAND VETERAN’S MEMORIAL, INC. (REZ 06-000051) Change of Zone from Open (O) to Multiple-Family Residential – 1,000 square feet (RM-1) district for 4.888 acres of land. The property is located at the northern corner of Kawili Street and Kapiolani Street, across from the Waiakea High School complex, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-4-57: portion of 1. 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 various correspondences received into the record. He stated the Planning Director is recommending a favorable recommendation to the Hawaii County Council with conditions. Mr. Yuen at this time proposed to replace existing Condition L with a condition that the applicant shall develop a multi-purpose facility in lieu of the fair share requirement for recreational facilities. The applicant’s representative, Judge Paul DeSilva, Yukie Ohashi, and Bob Williams, and various organizations were in attendance. Mr. Williams explained that the executive order that transferred the land specifically refers to veterans; however if they are unable to fill the units, they will go back and ask for a liberation of that executive order to allow them to open the units up to other Hawaii seniors so that they will not have to pursue veterans outside the State. For Commissioner Watanabe’s information, Mr. Williams said the age requirement of 62 years or older for the housing units is not a violation of HUD or other discriminatory practices according to their counsel, Raymond Hasegawa. For Commissioner Siracusa’s information, Mr. Williams clarified that the housing units per se is limited to the elderly veterans, but the multi-purpose facility would be open to all veterans for meetings at no cost to them. He said their business plan for the multi-purpose facility is to gain net revenues to establish a scholarship program for vets or their dependents through the Hawaii Community Foundation, calling the Commission’s attention to its Board of Directors. In response to Commissioner Salavea’s inquiry, Mr. Williams explained that they have members from every veterans organization on this island who could lend their assistance on this project. He noted their realtor performed a market analysis which indicated clearly the need to provide affordable housing. Judge Paul DeSilva stated he fully supported the project. 4