2006-04-07 Planning Commission Minutes

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Ida Smith, landowner of Pohoiki Bay since 1998, questioned whether Pohoiki Road will continue to remain open or improved since it is heavily used by those going to Isaac Hale Park. She suggested the shoulder area be widened and directional signs be installed because of safety concerns. In response to Ms. Smiths testimony, Ms. Siracusa said she believed Pohoiki Road will remain open at the request of the surfers at a community meeting on the design of Isaac Hale Park to avoid vandalism and theft to their vehicles, noting the surfers would be able to view their vehicles from the ocean. She added that because the exceptional trees along Pohoiki Road are protected by ordinance there is very little that the County could do to widen the roadway and not impact those trees. She noted that the new bypass will make it a lot easier for fishermen to go to their destination by way of Kapoho. For Ms. Smiths information, Mr. Ishii said the current plan is to keep old section of Highway137open,withnoimprovementsproposedtobedoneatthistime,andthereis currently a proposal to gate it off during the night on the north side. He noted that Ms. Smith can later discuss with him what signs she thinks might be an improvement for the area. For the Commissions information, Mr. Ishii pointed out that the roadway will be built to the current standards of two 11-foot wide paved travel ways in each direction and approximately 10 feet of clear level area on each side. It was moved by Commissioner Siracusa and seconded by Commissioner McCall that the application be approved based on the Planning Directors recommendation and proposed conditions. Commissioner Siracusa stated she supported the request because of public safety and because it will not set a negative precedent that would weaken the Exceptional Tree Ordinance, noting her role with Malama O Puna in placing trees under the exceptional tree ordinance and her discussions with Ron Terry who did the EIS, certified arborist Mike Krause, and the Arborist Committee. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with seven ayes (Siracusa, McCall, Watanabe, Galdones, Graham, Iwashita, and Alameda) and one absent and excused (Salavea). REZ 06-000032The Commission took this item up at 9:36 a.m. with KATHY TRIPPapproximately 22 people from the public in attendance. WAIAKEA HOUSELOTS, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: KATHY TRIPP (REZ 06-000032) Change of Zone for 20,000 square feetofland from a Single Family Residential 10,000 squarefeet(RS-10)toaNeighborhoodCommercial20,000squarefeet(CN-20) district. The property is located along the west side of Manono Street, midway between KekuanaoaStreetandHualaniStreet,WaiakeaHouselots,SouthHilo,Hawaii,TaxMap Key: 2-2-34:12. (SEE EXHIBIT A) 2