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APPLICANT: LOTUS SANDERSON (SPP 06-000029) <br />Special Permit to allow the establishment of a 5-bedroom bed and breakfast operation <br />within an existing single family dwelling situated on 3 acres of land in the State Land Use <br />Agricultural District. The property is located on the southeast side of the Kaiwiki <br />rd <br />Homestead Road – Old Mamalahoa Highway intersection, Kaiwiki 3 Homesteads, <br />South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-9-4:14. <br />Mr. Darrow oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding <br />properties on the location map and site plan, summarized the request, and noted the <br />Planning Director recommended approval of the application with conditions. <br />For Commissioner Salavea’s information, Mr. Darrow said that the pavement goes from <br />the subject property down approximately 3 miles to the highway. <br />The applicant, Lotus Sanderson, stated she had no questions or concerns regarding the <br />Planning Department’s recommendation. <br />In response to Commissioner Galdones’ inquiry, Ms. Sanderson said she felt this property <br />was a really special place that a lot of people will enjoy as it has the view of the sunrise <br />over the ocean, it is very quiet and it is a place where people can be in nature and breathe <br />the fresh air. She said there is a trail that leads to the top of Kahuna Falls and a trail that <br />leads through a pretty dense forest area to the top of Akaka Falls but they will not allow <br />guests to use this trail as it might be dangerous for them, noting they do not intend to cut <br />down any of the trees on the property unless they are required by the County. <br />There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the agenda item. <br />It was moved by Commissioner Salavea and seconded by Commissioner Iwashita that the <br />application be approved as recommended by the Planning Director. Commissioner <br />Graham felt what motivated Commissioner Galdones’ earlier comments was there was <br />atmosphere that maybe this property would be more of a tourist destination as opposed to <br />a B&B. Director Yuen said that there was nothing wrong with a B&B trying to create an <br />attractive environment in itself where maybe the guests would spend a good deal of time <br />enjoying the surroundings of the B&B. Commissioner Galdones clarified that he agreed <br />with the applicant that the area was very beautiful and peaceful and just wanted to know <br />what made her decide to do her B&B on the subject property. In response to <br />Commissioner Galdones’s inquiry, Director Yuen said the main issue for the Planning <br />Department is with respect to the houses or structures being visible from the Akaka Falls, <br />noting the Department would not have a problem with the applicant improving the trails <br />in a safe manner so people can get a view of the Falls from the subject property. <br />Commissioner Galdones then expressed his concern on liability on the part of the <br />applicant to provide a trail as part of the amenities and questioned if it would be part of <br />the County’s responsibility to determine the safety of the trail. Director Yuen said if the <br />applicant were asking it as part of the permit he thought it would be part of the County’s <br />responsibility; however, this is not what the applicant is asking as part of their permit, <br />noting the applicant is conscious of the safety aspects of using an informal trail. A roll <br />2 <br /> <br />