HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-20 EXHIBIT C HUGGETT PC
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAII
HEARING TRANSCRIPT
MAY 20, 2005
A regularly advertised hearing on the application of
WESLEY AND KELLEY HUGGETT
was called to order at 11:38 a.m. in the King
(Formerly ERIC SOTO - SMA 03-007)
Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Islander Room, 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii,
with First Vice-Chairperson Hannah Springer presiding.
PRESENT:Rodney H. WatanabeABSENT & EXCUSED: Fred Galdones
Jeffrey McCallWilliam R. Graham
Rene SiracusaAllen Salavea
AndrewIwashita
C. Kimo Alameda
Hannah Springer
Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Chris Yuen, Deputy Planning Director
Norman Hayashi, Planning Program Manager
Phyllis Fujimoto, Staff Planner
Jeff Darrow, Staff Planner
Kiran Emler representing Department of Public Works
And approximately 11 people from the public in attendance
APPLICANT: WESLEY AND KELLEY HUGGETT (Formerly ERIC SOTO - SMA03-
007)
Continued hearing on a Special Management Area Use Permit application to allow the
construction of a three and one-half story, 45-foot high, 12-unit multi-family residential
development and related improvements on approximately 15,203 square feet of land. The
property is located on the west (makai) side of Alii Drive, adjacent to and north of the Sea
Village Condominium complex, Kahului, North Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-5-19:30.
SPRINGER:Commissioners, we are now on agenda item number 7. The applicants are
Wesley and Kelley Huggett, formerly Eric Soto, SMA 03-007. This is a continued hearing on a
Special Management Area Use Permit application to allow the construction of a three and one-
half story, 45-foot high, 12-unit multi-family residential development and related improvements
on approximately 15,203 square feet of land. The property is located on the west (makai) side of
Alii Drive, adjacent to and north of the Sea Village Condominium complex, at Kahului, North
Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-5-19:30.
EXHIBIT C
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HAYASHI:Thank you MadameChair, members of the Commission. As you recall at
the last meeting in Kona this application was- this continued hearing was brought before you.
This permit was originally submitted by Eric Soto for an SMA Use Permit. Mr. Soto had sold
the property to Mr. Huggett. Mr. Huggett has informed us and the Commission that he intended
to continue with the proposal that Mr. Soto had previously filed for. At the last Planning
Commission hearing there was concerns relative to some of the petitions or request for contested
case hearing that was filed by certain individuals. The Commission at that time continued the
hearing in order to allow both legal counsel, the counsel for the petitioner as well as counsel for I
believe Mr. Haney and Mr. Buscemi, adjoining property owners to address the issue regarding
the- certain issues that Mr. Torigoe had requested of. Mr. Kim representing Mr. Haney and
Buscemi did submit a letter to the Planning Commission which all of you have a file- was
provided a copy of. Mr. Randy Vitousek on behalf of the Applicant Mr. Huggett did submit a
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memorandum in support of the application. This was received in the office on May 17. I just
wanted to point out to you that in this memorandum that was submitted by Mr. Vitouseks office
there are 2 exhibits, Exhibit C and F basically these are draft of thehearing transcript of the last
meeting. The hearing transcript was not provided to the Planning Commission so I dont know
what the legal aspect of that is. The Commission hasnt seen the draft nor has approved the
hearing transcript. I just wanted to point that out for the record.
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We also received a letter dated May 6 and the Planning Commission was also afforded a copy
of that letter and that was submitted by Virginia Isbell as Vice Chair of the County Council. And
basically indicating that they are working a new, revisions to the driveway ordinance and
requested that the Commission continue this hearing until such time that ordinance has been
adopted.
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May 11 we also received a letter from Mr. Brian Haney requested that the Planning
Commission continue the hearing as follow-up on Councilperson Virginia Isbells request.
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We also have a letter dated May 4 by several individuals expressing their concerns regarding
this particular project.
I just wanted to point out what has been provided to the Planning Department and the Planning
Commission relative to a request for a contested case hearing or letters. As previously indicated
to you at the last meeting we did receive a letter from Mr. Brian Haney, Jack and Kelly
Armstrong, Mark and Kim Spangler, Lowell Zimmerman and basically they had requested that
the contested case hearing be held. They wanted to be a party to a contested case hearing. These
were in letter form and not a formal petition. All of these individuals with the exception of Mr.
Zimmerman did provide us with the $100 filing fee. We also received a note from Mr. Charles
Buscemi along with a check, $100 filing fee, and I believe that his intent was to be a party also to
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the proceedings. Since that time, since the last meeting on April 22 we did receive from, a
formalpetitionfromMr.CharlesBuscemiandthe$100filingfeetobeapartytothis
proceeding. We also received the check from Mr. Brian Haney with no letter and no formal
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petition.WealsoreceivedMay10aformalpetitionfromMarkandKimSpangleraswellas
their $100 filing fee. So thats basically where we are regarding the petitions or letters
requestingforstandingtoacontestedcasehearing.AtthelastmeetingtheCommissiondecided
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they would be the ones to act on these requests and also to determine whether these are properly
filed applications. Thank you.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Hayashi. Are there any questions of Mr. Hayashi from the
Planning Commission at this time? I have a number of questions that were- come to mind given
Mr. Hayashis comments to us. First of all to Mr. Torigoe regarding the minutes which have
been submitted to us as part of an exhibit but which we have not yet received as part of our work
as Planning Commissioners. They came to us this morning I believe and how should we dispose
of them?
TORIGOE:Are these minutes, are they before you today?
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SPRINGER:We received the excerpt of the April 22 transcript this morning.
TORIGOE:Right, and thats the exhibits. But were- okay so were the minutes for that
transcript or was that transcript ever brought before you or is it before you today for approval?
SPRINGER:I have not received- none of us have received copies of those minutes.
TORIGOE:All right. Well, I think maybe what we should do is, we will have to be
discussing the acceptance of these submissions so maybe at that point we can get from the parties
or the proposed parties and make a determination at that time. For instance is there can be some
agreement that the Commission can consider these then that would be an easy disposition of
them. If not well have to consider what other routes might be taken.
SPRINGER:Thank you and then with regard to the form of the requests for standing,
Norman gave us quite a litany of descriptors some of which came in letter form, some were
checks without written documentation or one was a check without written documentation. And
they seem to come in unevenly. Can you give us any guidance on how we should treat those
requests?
TORIGOE:Well the Rule 4-7A says that people seeking to intervene as a party shall
fileawrittenrequestandtheformisprovidedinappendixAandaccompaniedbyafilingfee.
And again as weve noted no later than 7 calendar days prior to the Commissions first meeting
on the matter. And so I think what we need to do is- you know were going to have to discuss
that whole issue of- as we discussed in the previous hearing the whole issue of whether we
should consider this a new application and therefore whether these kinds of requests for
intervention should be considered timely under this rule. So again thats something we can
address as we deal with the standing issues.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Torigoe. Then a question for Mr. Yuen with regard to the
memo that weve received from Council Person Isbell and her concern with regard to County
Code for driveways and that shes in the process of upgrading that code. Do you have any
comments to us? I think that the request is that all hearings on driveways or permits for
driveways be postponed until we have this ordinance finished and reference is then made to that
in correspondence from Brian Haney.
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YUEN:You have a properly filed SMA Permit before you and the Planning
Commission should continue to process and work towardadecision on that permit not put a hold
on it based on some work that may be done on a driveway application or on a driveway decision.
If and when the- if the County Council amends the driveway code, if and when the project is
built and comes in for a permit for the driveway it will have to comply with that with any
changes that are made to the code at that time.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Yuen. To the Applicants and their representative and other
members of the public here. This body will lose its quorum at 1:30. Our intention is not to take
a lunch break but rather work through until that time. I would like to call a 5 minute recess at
this time and reconvene and take up all of the matters before us. Thank you.
RECESSED:The Chair called for a recess at 11:50 a.m.
RECONVENED:The meeting reconvened at 12:02 p.m.
SPRINGER:Id like to call this meeting of the Hawaii County Planning Commission
back into order. We are discussing SMA 03-007, Wesley and Kelley Huggett, which is formerly
Eric Soto. At this time Id like to invite the Applicant or their representative to the table and also
any of those who have requested standing as an Intervenor to come forward to the table.
HAYASHI:Madame Chair while were waiting for them to come up.
SPRINGER:Yes.
HAYASHI:I just want to put on record that we didnt provide you with a copy of
amended Condition 3. And basically that new Condition 3 would state that a 20 foot wide
easement shall be provided for vehicular access and utilities. Thank you.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Hayashi. There have been a number of requests for
standing as Intervenors in this contested case. Mr. Mooers do you have any comments on those
requestsatthistime?Weregoingtohaveageneraldiscussionatthistimeandthenitmaybe
that well take up each request on a case by case basis.
MOOERS:With me today is Keoni Schultz who is our attorney and Ill let him
discussthestandingissue.
SPRINGER:ThankyouMr.Mooersandpardonmybeingremiss.Anybodyeitherat
the table or in the public who intends to testify on this matter I would like to swear you in at this
time.Couldyouallwhoareinterestedintestifyingonthismatterraiseyourrighthandsplease?
Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this matter now before the Hawaii County Planning
Commission?
TESTIFIERS:I do.
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SPRINGER:Thank you. Mr. Mooers you have already given us your name and address
if your representative, your legal representative could do the same.
SCHULTZ:Aloha. My name is Keoni Schultz. My address is 1000 Bishop Street,
Suite 1200, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Schultz. Do you have any comments to share with us at
this time?
SCHULTZ:Yeah, for starters I would like to address the assertion that a change in the
owner of the project means that a new SMA application needs to be filed. Im going to sort of be
re-highlighting the memo that my law firm submitted. Theres not a single Hawaii court case or
agency rule that says that a new applicant that a new applicant means that a new application
needs to made. The issue is that the Huggetts purchased the property in 2004 and promptly
notifiedthePlanningDepartmentoftheirintenttocontinuethepermittingprocessinitiatedby
Mr. Soto. If you look at Exhibit A to my firms submission, I think it was mislabeled as Exhibit
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B. Anyway, by letter dated November 4 the Planning Department agreed that this was a
continued SMAhearing. And its also on their law that land use permits run with the land. In
fact if you look at Rule 911(a) of the Planning Commission Rules, theres absolutely no
requirement for any information about the identity of the Applicant and the reason for that is the
Planning Commission is supposed to issue the permit based on the project. Its not supposed to
be about the Applicant, its supposed to be does the project meet the requirements of you know
the SMA area? Furthermore I believe its the common practice of the Planning Department and
this Commission to substitute applicants as properties change hands. And I believe that
Commissioner Graham testified to that at the last hearing. Again, the change in the Applicant
does not mean that a new application is needed as long as the project is the same. That is the
casehere,thisisthesameprojectthatwasproposedbackin2003.
IguessInowwouldliketoaddresstheassertionthatPlanningDirectorYuensletterofMarch
25, 2005 somehow created a new right to a contested case hearing. First off, Director Yuen has
already stated that as described in the March 23, 2005 letter by the Planning Department that was
an error. There was no contested case created by that letter. And one of the reasons for that is
that its the Planning Commission that has control of the SMA area. Under HRS 205(a), 22 and
27, it is the Planning Commission that is the sole power to carry out the objectives, policies and
procedures of Chapter 205(a). Basically its the Planning Commission thats supposed to decide
who has standing under contested cases. And so you have to look at the Planning Commission
Rules. So if you look at the Planning Commission rules as to when standing is allowed, Rule 4-
7a, the Planning Commission rules requires any person who seeks to intervene in a proceeding
file a written notice of intent to intervene no later than 7 calendar days prior to the Commissions
first meeting on the matter. Again in this matter, the Commissions first meeting was on August
1, 2003. Accordingly, any request to intervene at this stage is untimely by nearly 2 years.
Furthermore, Mr. Kims clients had ample opportunity to get notice about, to intervene. In fact if
you look at his pleadings they made a strategic decision to allow their AOAO to engage in a
contested case hearing. They themselves did not. So they had notice that they themselves could
do this 2 years ago and they chose not to. As to the new owners of the Sea Village project, again
no new rights emerge as a result of there being new owners there. Anyone who is contemplating
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buying at the Sea Villages over the last 2years you know they had an opportunity to due
diligence on the property and see that there was a pending SMA in the land right next door. You
know these new owners made a decision to buy and at this point they dont have a standing to
request. And really you have to look at the slippery slope of this, every time somebody buys a
property next to on standing application if the Commission were to now allow them to then say
that they have a right a contested case hearing, it would just, you know you have to look at it
administratively too. The rules need to be followed and they had a right to, you know they knew
about this if they had done their due diligence.
I guess lastly Id like to wrap up some comments on the notice issue. The essential purpose of
the notice requirements in this case has been satisfied many times over. As to the letters that
may have been misaddressed prior to the April 22 hearing we did another notice. Everyone who
wants to come and speak about this project is now on notice and they can do so. But we dont
believe that that creates a contested case hearing. The point of notice requirement is to protect
therightsoftheindividualtocomeintotheCommissionandtotelltheCommissionwhatthey
feel about the project. Its not to allow you know perpetual delay or perpetual continuance of
this action. That its purpose of notices is to put them on notice of the project and I think the
record is clear that theres been a lot of notice as to this project. This project should not be
dragged indefinitely. The Planning Director and the Department have recommended approval on
the project and we would like that their recommendations be taken up by this Committee.
So in conclusion you know, a new applicant its simply irrelevant that theres a new applicant
here. The criteria is does the project meet HRS 205(a) and does it follow Rule 9 of the Planning
Commission rules and this project meets those requirements. Accordingly we respect the request
that this Commission deny standing as Intervenors to the various parties now seeking to
intervene.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Schultz. Commissioners any questions for Mr. Schultz? I
have a question for the Planning Director. In past practices is it accurate to say that when
properties change ownership the applications that are in process continue.
YUEN:Thats a general. I can say that with confidence as being a rule of law. I
cant, Im not certain as to there being changes in ownership while Ive been, in projects that
have been pending while Ive been the Director. Mr. Hayashi has more lengthy experience in
this than I do.
HAYASHI:Off hand during Mr. Yuens tenure as the Planning Director I dont know
whether if weve done it but weve done it on many occasions in the past.
SPRINGER:Are there any examples of change in ownership constituting a review, a
reexamination of an active application?
HAYASHI:Im sorry I was playing with the cord there, I didnt quite get the question.
SPRINGER:Are there any examples of changes in ownership causing an application
that was open and under review to be redressed as if starting over?
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HAYASHI:No, not that I know of.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Commissioner Iwashita?
IWASHITA:Counsel do you have any cases that, let me preface my question. The rule
of law that you cite inthe memo, or that your firm cites in the memo, talks about a permit that
runs with the land. We dont actually have a permit issued in this case. Do you know of any
case, which addresses the issue of an application being transferable or that the application runs
with the land.
SCHULTZ:We were not able to find anyone specifically in Hawaii, I think the reason
is is that, it probably wouldnt go up onto appeal until you know the permit has been formally
denied or approved. There is, theres one case that was recently decided in January 2005 by the
HawaiiSupremeCourtwhereIbelieveVoicestreamappliedforapermit.Imsorry,madea
claim so that there was no permit needed this Commission said that there was that when on
appeal. The Supreme Court in its caption makes a quick note that T-Mobile is now the persons
who is seeking the, actually appealing the decision that a permit was needed and it does say
without any. In other words, the Supreme Court doesnt take up any issue with that. But thats,
thats what I can say to you without doing more research on to this subject.
IWASHITA:Im not getting that what is the significance of the case you just cited?
SCHULTZ:It basically, its just pure dicta. That the Supreme Court had no problem
with the Applicant changing midstream. I guess once again, you have to look at the Planning
Commission Rules 911(a) again, doesnt ask about the Applicant. The Applicant really should
not be important. You dont want the Commission making decision on an Applicant on whose
brother it is, you know its the project that this Planning Commission should look at. How does
this project effect the Special Management Area.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Iwashita follow up?
IWASHITA:Im new so you gotta pardon me. But I guess my concern is that, I think
everyone agrees that a permit runs with the land, right? But we dont have a permit issued in this
case. What were talking about is whether or not the rule, under our rules whether we have a
new application or not. And so, to me its not real helpful to say that a permit runs with the land
cause it doesnt address the direct issue. To me its not you know, its not real helpful. So I was
just asking for any other authority but basically there is none.
SCHULTZ:I have, I cannot cite you any right now.
SPRINGER:Mr. Director youve heard Commissioner Iwashitas concern that this is
not a permit that has already been granted that were discussing but rather an application that is
in process. Do you have any comments in addition to those made by Mr. Schultz?
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YUEN:Well, the logic of itis certainly true that the application remains valid
regardless of a change in ownership. We would only be concerned that the applicant is the
owner because we would want to picture that the person making the application is the owner and
wants to carry out the same project. But, you are always judging the project based upon what is
presented as a project not on the merits of or the perceived personality or merits of the applicant
itself. So, I know that weve made the point, we made this point in discussing applications many
times that people will come in with character references for example. And talk about what a
good person the applicant is or fortunately less frequently sometimes talk about what a bad
person the applicant is and weve discussed the fact that we are looking at a project. If we have
concerns about the project that everything should be covered by a condition. That youre not
relying upon the personality or the identity of the person whos applying because that can change
and that the permit can be actually carried out by somebody different than the person applying
for it. So Im absolutely confident as a proposition that the Applicant is irrelevant and the
change in who is applying at least as far as the SMA permits and the rezoning ordinances does
notconstituteanewapplication.Andtheyreconsistentinthiscaseandinothersimilarcases
they can continue with the same application.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Director. Commissioner Iwashita any follow-up?
IWASHITA:Not at this time.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Thank your Mr. Schultz. Commissioners any further
questions of Mr. Schultz? Mr. Mooers do you have any other comments at this time?
MOOERS:Not at this time.
SPRINGER:Okay. Mr. Kim, if you could state your name and address for the record
and then enter into any discussion that you care to have with us this morning.
KIM:Thank you. Robert Kim, 77-6400 Nalani Street, Suite A-1, Kailua-Kona,
Hawaii, 96740, 329-6611. Thank you Madame Chairwoman and members of the Commission.
First of all I would orally move to strike the memorandum of the Applicant. My motion is
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addressed on several grounds. Number 1, at the last meeting April 22 the parties had entered in
to a stipulation in conjunction with the advice of Mr. Torigoe. At that meeting it had indicated
that each party was to submit their position papers at a minimum 10 days prior to submission of
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the next hearing. The hearing is May 20. Following the agreement of the parties made in open
record I submitted as agreed my memorandum on May 10, 2005. I did not receive a
memorandum in opposition or a position paper from the Applicant until yesterday and I have a
stamp on my document showing when it came in. In fact the memorandum itself isnt dated until
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May 17. Its untimely and therefore it should be stricken. Thats my first argument. Second, it
containsexhibits,whichhavenotbeenauthenticated.Idontbelievethattheminutesorthe
transcripts have been approved or reviewed by this body. Secondly, thirdly, Mr. Hayashi points
outthatthedocumentsarenotincludedinyourpositionpapers.Theyhaventevenbeen
furnished to you and therefore those memoranda are incomplete, untimely and include
documentsthatshouldnotbeincluded.Soinfairness,becausehadIreceived,althoughIdont
have a right to respond, it was only that we had to file these memorandum 10 days before. But
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clearly the intent of the agreement, and it wasnt an order. The Applicant and I both agreed that
we would submit them 10 days before and the reason for that is that we could have done further
research on each others positions so that we could answer Mr. Iwashitas questions with regard
to law and the like. When I receive something the day before the hearing I can prepare orally but
I think its quite unfair, not only to myself and my parties but also to the Commission. So, Ill
just leave that for you to consider it is a motion and I would like a ruling on it. Having said that,
I am willing to address the substance as best I can of what is being argued here today. What is
being argued here today is whether or not my clients should get a contested case hearing. As the
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record reveals at the last hearing on April 22 a letter was sent by the Planning Director to my
clients saying that a contested case hearing was required. Following that Mr. Mooers had a
conversation with Mr. Hayashi and was informed that he didnt have to do that. He didnt have
to follow the letter of the Planning Commission. That a contested, Planning Director, that a
Commission, that a contested case hearing could be sought. So all the people who got that notice
letter didnt get notice that they had a right to a contested case hearing. Then, when we show up,
where my clients had to hire counsel at the hearing were informed for the first time that Mr.
Mooers was released of that obligation. Even though there was no letter saying my previous
letter saying that there was a need for a contested case hearing is rescinded and in fact it wasnt
till after that this was even brought up. When I reviewed the Applicants memorandum they
appear to say 2 things. Number 1, that when you have a permit that right runs with the land but
as Mr. Iwashita pointed out and I was going to argue it, theres no permit here, none. Theres no
right here, all there is, is an application. And, I will tell you that when I got their memorandum I
went on the internet, I used my Weslaw, I searched for cases to try to look at applications and Id
already done so previous. There are none. So this is an area where there is no controlling
authority in the State of Hawaii. This is a gray area for this body. The bottom line is, its a
policy decision that you have to make. I will comment although I cannot cite specific examples
that during the administration in which Mr. Yuen has been Director there have been no
substitutions allowing contested case hearings. But I am informed that they have done in
previous administrations. Now, the argument that I have developed is based upon that previous
situation. You have an application, the applicant and their representative go out to the
community and say hey, ladies and gentlemen here we are, this is who we are, this is what we
want to build. I want to talk to you, check out my financial background, check out my ability to
keep my word if you want to oppose it let me talk to you, let me make agreements with you, let
me tell you if there are disagreements what Im going to do to try to solve this before we go to
the Planning Commission. That was done in this case. And that was done by the Applicant, Mr.
Eric Soto. The Applicant before you is not Mr. Soto. So whatever Mr. Soto said is with Mr.
Soto. Now this application came before the Commission August 1, 2003. What happened
between August 1, 2003 and May 20, 2005? What happened is that Mr. Soto abandoned his
application. He abandoned his project. All of the representations he made are no longer valid
because he is not the applicant. The new applicant can now come in and say, I didnt say that, I
never agreed to that. What I get is what I get, tough. What we are saying is as a matter of public
policy is that when you have not a permit, I will concede, right now, I will concede that if he had
a permit it runs with the land thats the law we agree on that. But this is not a permit, this is an
application. So lets look at it from a policy standpoint. Is the Planning Commission going to
encourage as a matter of public policy intra-transfer of ownership as if nothing happened? Cause
thats what you have here. Or, as I believe the Planning Director properly indicated whenever
you have a change of the applicant, that is a substantial and material change of the application
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that warrants people to be able to comment from a contested case hearing if they choose or they
can basically go through and try to negotiate. Were saying it is a substantial change and it is an
amendment of such consequence. Were not talking about moving a little tree here, were
talking about the ownership of the project. It is such a change in the actual application that it
allows for contested case hearings. And thats whats before you today. So, as an attorney if I
might, youre not prohibited by State law. You have the power to say, were not going to allow
straw men to come in and put a face up for an application and then flip it internally so that a new
person can come in without having the public input. In this case, yes, people are here to oppose
the project but that doesnt give them a right to affect the project. And so, we feel and again its
your call, we feel that as a matter of public policy it would be prudent to allow the contested case
hearing than to disallow the contested case hearing as a matter of public policy. If I may just
address my notes one second. Lastly, with regard to Director Yuens position, I dont think that
we can sort of a quid pro quo with regard to saying to the applicant you have to wait until the
County Council addresses the issue of the driveway. But the issue of the driveway is a severe
safetyproblem,whichotherpeoplewilltalkaboutandwehavetalkedabout.Thosestatutes,
those rules will be adopted and we would ask that if you dont grant my motion to strike their
memorandum but we be allowed a continuance to be able to respond and so. Thats the bulk of
my address. Thank you.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Kim. Before we proceed with questions, who are your
clients?
KIM:My clients are Brian Haney and Charles Buscemi. And they are residents
of the Sea Village Condominium or owners of the Sea Village Condominium. Sorry.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Just a moment please. At this time Id like to give the
Applicant followed by the Commissioners and the Director the opportunity to respond to Mr.
Kims testimony. Mr. Mooers?
MOOERS:Thank you very much. I just have a couple of points Id like to bring up.
As far as the issue about the 10 days, I think in my recollection of the hearing and certainly a
copy of the unofficial minutes indicate that Mr. Torigoe said perhaps 10 days. And I did say that
I thought we could do that. Unfortunately Mr. Vitousek as you notice is not with us here today
and this created a situation. He was unable to be here. He needed to find people within his firm
that could be here. Secondly in order to prepare any sort of argument they needed to know what
happened at the last hearing and we were talking about fairness here. Mr. Kim was present at the
last hearing and had the luxury of understanding what the arguments were, what the discussions
were. We did not have that situation so our attorneys asked to see the minutes of the meeting so
that they could form their position paper and submit something to the Commission. It was not
my understanding that we had a 10 day notice that this was going to create a problem and if it is I
apologize. Regarding the- using the minutes as exhibits if the Commission would like to
disregard them that is fine because they really arent intrical parts of any argument being placed
here. So if you find that those minutes are unacceptable or shouldnt be used then by all means
please disregard them. Couple of points I would like to point out regarding the notice and
whether or not contested case rights should have been granted and they should have been
noticed. I think Mr. Yuen has been pretty clear in that regard and you recall at the last hearing I
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specifically asked the Commission, I said okay well do another mailing, well do another notice
should I indicate whether they are contested case hearing rights and I was instructed that no, I
should not. The last thing I would point out as far as changing ownership, land is a commodity.
Many of my clients are developers, they buy land, sell land as investments. And, I would say
that a high percentage of them sell the properties sometimes before, sometimes during and
sometimes after applications that are pending. Most recently a rezoning application by the
Deutsch sisters was sold, it was pending before the County Council. Ive never had any of these
applications be required to re-hear them. One of the things I think youll find, youve probably
seen enough of my applications by now, even some of the newer Commissioners. I never speak
to who the Applicant is other than the Applicant is so and so, owner and fee of the property. You
look at all of the applications we file with the County theres no representation of gee, is he a
good guy, does he have the financial ability to perform, does he have past performance, that has
never been an issue. The issue was always, is this the appropriate use of the property.
Irregardless of who the applicant is. If the Commission or the Council wanted that information it
wouldbeanintrigalpartoftheapplication.Itsimplyisnot.Sotocallthatasubstantialchange
in an application is simply not true. Regarding Ms. Isbells request about driveway rules, it may
or may not be changed. I think the Commission has before recommended conditions by the
Director and in there we are required to apply or comply with all regulatory requirements. I
think its Condition 11. So if a rule is changed it would be addressed at the time of plan approval
and the driveway would have to meet any rules or recommendations made by the Council that
become law. But to withhold that application pending something that may or may not happen I
mean, it simply couldnt move forward. I would just say one last thing about the change of
ownership. I mean to say that every time theres new owners they should be re-noticed and they
have an opportunity to apply for contested case, quite simply Madame Chairman if you and I
owned a unit at the condominium and we didnt want a project to happen we could simply
change ownership every 60 days for $25, transfer of ownership and then ask for a new hearing.
Its just absolutely unworkable so, those are all my comments at this time.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Mooers. Commissioners, any questions for Mr. Mooers?
Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:Mr. Mooer did you also represent Mr. Soto in the original application?
MOOERS:Yes I did. I prepared the application, the architect on the project, Mr.
Corey Foulk was also the- developed the plan is also retained. So the project team remains the
same.
WATANABE: So, in regard to this straw man theory did he have any particular
advantage in getting that?
MOOERS:No. I mean the awards, theres no questions about who is Mr. Soto. I
mean the idea that the straw man is a little bit ridiculous because if that was a strategy, if that
was important then youd simply carry it through until you got the permit and then transfer the
ownership at the end of that. But Mr. Soto had no advantage here. And as far as representations
made by Mr. Soto, every representation thats made, any agreement thats made is in writing.
You know it appears as a condition in the SMA. So for somebody to say okay well, we like the
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11
project because you told us something, every negotiation Ive ever been involved in whether it be
a contested case or with the concerned neighbors we write it down it goes in as a condition of
approval. The fact is, is that the AOAO that dropped the contested case and youll notice there is
a letter in there from Mr. Kim indicating that they dropped the contested case, they had a board
meeting the same day as our last Commission meeting. This issue of our project was not even
raised at that meeting. The agreement is with, for the easement, is with Vacations
Internationale. Theyre the landowners that own it. So anything that we agreed to them has to
be in writing, all right. And if we cannot reach an agreement with them this permits not valid
because it says very clearly in here that we have to have a 20 foot roadway so you know those
agreements all have to be in writing. So the fact that Mr. Soto is no longer the applicant it didnt
grant any advantage to Mr. Huggett.
WATANABE:Thank you.
SPRINGER:CommissionerIwashita?
IWASHITA:ThankyouMadameChair.Iwanttomakesurewefollowtherules,Id
like, maybe address this to Counsel. Rule 4-6c is the rule requiring the Applicant to serve notice
okay. And Rule 4-2 defines under subsection 2 applicant as a person whose seeking the approval
of the Commission. In this case for an SMA Permit. And 7 defines a person as an individual all
right? As I interpret this, those rules as it applies to the Applicant before us now, the Huggetts;
that seems to me to require the Huggetts as the Applicant to serve notice. Any comments?
SPRINGER:Mr. Torigoe?
IWASHITA:Im address- Im sorry, Im addressing it to Applicants counsel.
SPRINGER:Mr. Schultz?
SCHULTZ:I think its my understanding that the contested case was actually
withdrawn back in December 2003, 4, 3, December 2003. So there really wasnt a contested
case going on at that point after the AOAO pulled out. In either case, we did, its my
understanding that we did do a notice as if there was still a contested going on we just didnt say
that there was one. Cause it was our understanding given to us by the Planning Department that
this was merely a resumption of the application for SMA 03-007.
IWASHITA:Yeah I understand that. But Im just asking you to address what the rule
says and actually the way I read it going backwards since the Applicant is provided notice right.
I know the former applicant provided notice.
SCHULTZ:Right.
IWASHITA:But the Applicants now are the Huggetts.
SCHULTZ:Uh, huh.
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12
IWASHITA:Right. And the Huggetts are persons and as defined under the rule or are
individuals or persons and Id like your interpretation on how. As far as Im concerned those
words basically say the Huggetts are required to provide notice of a contested case hearing under
Rule 4-6 because 4-6c is the rule that requires notice by an applicant not original applicant, not,
you know its not defined it just says applicant right.
SCHULTZ:Right.
IWASHITA:Can you address how the rules define. You know Im just asking you.
SCHULTZ:I guess we interpret it as the applicant at the time that the hearing is, the
matter has first begun needs to give the notice.
IWASHITA:Can you cite me something in the rule that says that?
SCHULTZ:No.
IWASHITA:Thank you.
SPRINGER:Mr. Torigoe. Would you care to make comment on Commissioner
Iwashitasquestion?
TORIGOE:Not really because you know these are the kinds of questions that will
probably end up being litigated and so if the Commission has questions on interpretations that
may be litigated its probably better to do that in Executive Session.
SPRINGER:Commissioners given the tone of the discussion and the issues before us I
would just instruct all the Commissioners if at anytime you feel the need for an Executive
Session to please indicate so and Id be glad to hear you.
IWASHITA:I have a procedural concern.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Iwashita?
IWASHITA:Based on Mr. Kims request regarding the, what he claims a late filing of
the memo and how the Commission should proceed on that.
SPRINGER:I think that both the comments here today and my recollection of what we
heard previously was that the 10 day request was that, it was a request and it was truly for the
convenience of the Commission as has been noted in testimony. There was not a formal order
made.
TORIGOE:It sounds like Commissioner Iwashitas question was basically asking
what the procedure would be for dealing with Mr. Kims motion. Is that what youre asking?
EXHIBIT C
13
IWASHITA:Yes, yes. How do we, do we address it, do we grant it or do we you
know? His request is that ultimately for more time.
TORIGOE:Yeah. I think at this point the Chairperson is the presiding officer and
although this is not yet in a formal contested case procedure the SMA permit in general is still
covered by the contested case rules. And under the Contested Case Rules 4-5b, the presiding
officer rules upon all objections or motions which do not involve the final determination of the
proceeding so, I think basically it would be for the Chairperson to make a decision. And so at
this point Mr. Kim has made a motion to strike the memorandum that was presented by the
th
Applicants on May 17 and so the decision would be to grant the motion and strike from the
record or to deny the motion and allow the memorandum to become part of the record for your
consideration and decision making. Or as has been noted, you may grant the motion in part. For
instance if you feel that there are portions such as the draft transcripts which should be stricken
then you know those could be stricken and other parts which you feel should be allowed can be
allowed.
SPRINGER:In that case, given the, if I may pick up the discussion where I left off, I
believe that the request was made for the convenience of the Planning Commission and I will
deny the motion to strike the applicants exhibit.
Mr. Kim do you have any comments, any testimony to make for us on the intervention in
general. And we understand that youre representing 2 individuals.
KIM:Yes, and so I would be asking that intervention be allowed for the reasons,
the Commission is well aware of your own rules as well as what you want to set as public policy
in this area. In response to the communications that were discussed, clearly an application is not
avestedright.TheApplicantcantsayyoumustnotallowcontestedcasehearing;theresno
authority for that. Its a discretionary act on part of the Planning Commission. It goes by a case
by case basis. And I understand that the Commission needs to be worried about how youre
going to set the tone, not only in this case but in all cases. And what we are arguing by way of
public policy is that when youre faced with a situation like this, shut out the public or not that
you have the power and the discretion to make this decision. You dont, youre not prevented
from doing it. You have to determine, as a Commission how youre going to conduct business
henceforth and its not a matter or law, its not a matter of rule, its a matter of practice and this
is the gray area that youre in. We argue for openness, were arguing to allow contested case
hearing for my 2 clients thats the up and down vote, allow or dont allow it and then well take
it from there. Thank you very much for this opportunity.
SPRINGER:Youre welcome, thank you Mr. Kim. Commissioners do you have any
questions for Mr. Kim? Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:Mr. Kim you know its my understanding that even if we did not grant the
contested, I mean standing yeah, that your clients and anyone else from the public would still be
able to comment. Am I not right on that?
KIM:That is correct.
EXHIBIT C
14
WATANABE:So in that light is that not openness to the public?
KIM:Yes and no. I mean I would concede thats openness to the, we can
comment directly to you. However, all communication between the applicant and my clients
have ceased. The last hearing they had indicated that we wanted them to talk and now weve
been advised that no discussions will take place except through legal counsel. So, its not going
to, if you think that thats going to end it its not. Whats going to happen is just going to be
litigation and let the attorneys go and do their thing. Because if youre an applicant and theres
no issue as far as making concessions or not making concessions then basically we have to fall to
the Commission.
WATANABE:Can I follow up?
SPRINGER:Mr.Watanabe.
WATANABE:Isntitcustomaryonceattorneysgetinvolvedthatallcommunications
then go through counsel whether, I mean, isnt that standard?
KIM:Thats true. But, we had agreed, I had an agreement with Mr. Mooers. He
didnt have legal counsel at that point that Mr. Huggett and Mr. Haney should talk among
themselves so that they could see if something could come up that discussion where I wasnt
involved. And attorneys can do that. We can allow clients to talk as long as theres not
attorneys involved. Because when we get involved then it becomes technical and you know
other so. Im just telling you, as a practical matter, theres no, not going to be any discussions
and so.
HUGGETT:Let me comment on that.
SPRINGER:Sir, if we could have your name and address for the record please.
HUGGETT:Sorry. Wes Huggett, 3841 North Hoyne Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60618.
And I did meet with Brian Haney after our discussion. We had a nice discussion. He raised all
his concerns, which he has raised in front of this Commission, him and Brian or him and Charlie,
4 times over the past 6 hearings. I heard them all, Coreys heard them about-, during 6 meetings,
whos my architect still. And, after that discussion I got a voicemail, Id say about 2 weeks after
that and let me see, let me quote it here. Saying very polite, hes a polite guy. We have a long
process ahead of us if we cant get some negotiation done. And my wife and I took that as a
threat and I refuse to be extorted. Not to mention, and I dont, and I dont want to disrespect
anybody here, but I dont think Mr. Kims clients are unassuming public citizens that are not
being heard and been given due process. I mean as I mentioned before, these guys have testified
4 times separate, very lengthy over 6 meetings. I went through the background report and I
notice that they submitted 15 pieces of written correspondence including one 56-page report, one
14-page report. Over the course of this correspondence theyve represented Sea Village owners,
concerned neighbors on Alii Drive, concerned citizens of Kona and anonymous home and
condominium owners. And some of all this communication has been sent to roughly 3 dozen
EXHIBIT C
15
officials including of course Planning Department, Planning Commission, individual
Commissioners, City Council members, Corporate Counsel, Engineers, Fire Chiefs, County
Clerk, Deputy Clerk and the list goes on and on. And, my point here is that weve heard their
concerns. My entire team has heard their concerns. We understand their concerns. I think
theres other people that have heard this concerns and understand their concerns. And, we
believe that they have all been adequately addressed and part of it is because of this 2 year long
th
process were in our 7 hearing. So, Im all about trying to gather consensus and work together
with people but when do we get to the point where we say enough is enough. And I have been,
my wife and I have been the property owners for the last year and Im starting to think that you
know jeez I can have property rights too especially when a few of these units are going to be
used for my familys vacation home. So, I feel like I understand what theyre looking for, I
clearly understand. I went through all the hearing notes. I went through all the correspondence
and I understand what theyre looking for. And lastly Id just like to point out that the neighbors
to the immediate south, which is Sea Village withdrew their contested case okay. And it was my
understanding that at that meeting which they have every year for the 130 condo owners that
there was no concern expressed over our project. And they were clearly aware that we had the
contested case hearing. Secondly the neighbor to the immediate east, Vacation Internationale,
theyre clearly supportive of the project because theyre giving us easement for vehicular access
aswellasutilities,whichincludesewers.Sotheresnotgoingtobeawastewatertreatment
plant, which I saw on, I dont know, probably 20 letters. So to hold this process for continued
negotiations with Mr. Haney and Mr. Buscemi I think is fruitless. I think it panders to their
stalling techniques and continues this nonsense. So, in that regard and Im, you know, Im
willing to talk to them but Im just not-. I dont think its fair to continue to stall this process and
if these guys want to take it to the U.S. Supreme Court my wife and I are ready for the ride. So, I
apologize for being a little bit excited here and fired up but I do respect the Commission and
especially your thoughts and opinions. And you know my wife and I are just, you know were
requesting that we get a favorable recommendation on behalf of the Planning Departments
recommendation. Thanks.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Huggett. Are there any questions of the testifier from the
Planning Commission? The question before us then is whether or not to- Commissioner
Iwashita?
IWASHITA:Mr. Huggett was any representation made to you at the time you
purchased the property to whether or not you had a right to this application process.
HUGGETT:Yes, it was my understanding through the due diligence that I had done
that we did have a right to pick up this application.
IWASHITA:Who told you that?
HUGGETT:Well, Ive heard it from various people. I talked to Greg Mooers.
IWASHITA:Anyone else?
EXHIBIT C
16
HUGGETT:Well through the course of due diligence I talked to everybody. I mean
talked to everybody on the project team. I talked to Greg Mooers. I talked to the architect Corey
Foulk. Through my real estate Clark Realty, we talked to various people on the Commission.
IWASHITA:Did you get a legal opinion from a land use lawyer?
HUGGETT:I got a letter here from the Planning Commission as well, it was dated
November 4.
MOOERS:It was the Planning Director.
HUGGETT:Oh, the Planning Director, Chris Yuen.
th
IWASHITA:November 4 of what year?
HUGGETT:2004.
IWASHITA:When did you acquire the property?
HUGGETT:We acquired the property in July of 2004.
IWASHITA:So you didnt rely on that letter when you bought the property?
MOOERS:(inaudible).
IWASHITA:Im asking him the question.
MOOERS:(inaudible).
IWASHITA:Im asking him the question.
MOOERS:Okay, he cited me.
IWASHITA:Im asking him the question. Is that right?
HUGGETT:Pardon me, could you repeat the question please?
IWASHITA:Im asking you what you relied on in buying the property. You just cited
me a November 2004 letter.
HUGGETT:I relied on the advice from Greg Mooers.
IWASHITA:Thank you.
SPRINGER:Mr. Mooers?
EXHIBIT C
17
MOOERS:Yes, when Mr. Huggett approached me I called Mr. Hayashi and asked
him if substituting the owner if that required a new application and he advised me that it did not
provided the same application was used, the same project was to be built. So I made that request
of the Planning Director, excuse me of the Planning Department and Mr. Hayashi informed me
that a new application would not be required. So I passed that along to Mr. Huggett.
IWASHITA:When did that conversation take place?
MOOERS:That conversation took place when Mr. Huggett was in his due diligence
back in the Fall of 04 sometime.
HUGGETT:That would be around May, we closed in July so, couple of months before
we closed.
MOOERS:Butwhenheaskedme,yeah,Ivesubstitutedapplicantsonother
occasions but I specifically asked in this case because Mr. Huggett was making that
representation that he wanted to know if he could be substituted as the applicant and so I made
that request to the Planning Department.
IWASHITA:Mr. Mooer did you base any of that based on Rule 4-6c, 4-2-2 and 7?
MOOERS:No I did not I based it off my conversation.
IWASHITA:So, you didnt do any due diligence in reviewing the rules before you gave
your opinion.
MOOERS:Well, I read the rules but my experience is not to interpret the rules but
rather to ask the people who review the rules and have to make decisions based on that as to how
they interpret the rules. Because ultimately it doesnt matter what my representation is, if the
Planning Director or the Planning Department says I have to file a new application, Im going to
file a new application. So, I do not review the rules and say thats my professional opinion, Im
not an attorney. My question was asking the Department, how are you interpreting the rules, will
you require my client to file a new application? They said no they would not.
IWASHITA:You understand that this Commission has the final authority on that point?
MOOERS:I absolutely do. I rely on the Department for advice.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioner Iwashita.
IWASHITA:Follow up. Did you inform Mr. Huggett that the Commission has the final
authority on interpreting the rules?
MOOERS:I just informed Mr. Huggett what the Planning Director, excuse me, the
Planning Department had told me. I did not interpret the rules for him. I was not responsible for
EXHIBIT C
18
his due diligence. I dont get into a situation to represent people when they buy and sell
property.
IWASHITA:Thank you.
SPRINGER:Other Commissioners any questions of Mr. Mooers? At this time Id like
to invite any members of the public who would like to make testimony specifically on the
question before us, which is whether or not to grant a contested, intervention to this contested
case. Is there anyone in the public who wishes to testify? Maam? Is there anyone else who
wishes to testify? Okay theres one seat vacant, if you could come forward please and have you
been sworn in yet?
TESTIFIER:I raised my hand when you asked people before.
SPRINGER:Thankyoumaamifyoucouldpleasegiveusyournameandyouraddress
and then proceed with your testimony.
DENNIS:Yes, my name is Julie Dennis and Im also speaking for my mother
Adelaide Davis were co-owners at Sea Village at 75-, wait I was so nervous I cant remember
my number. I can write it, 75-6002 Alii Drive #3112 at Sea Village. And mamas had her place
for 25 years there. And I wish that you all could-
SPRINGER:If youd like to be seated maam youre-, please take a seat.
DENNIS:I wish that you all could see the area that were talking about if you have
not made a personal trip over there to see this congested area where the driveway is. And, Im
sorry that none of the people that are applying for the contested position were able to be here. I
myself had requested to have my name listed on the letter but it wasnt and I never got any notice
from Mr. Mooers and Mr. Schultz about anything but the owners have been communicating
among ourselves ad hoc. The last annual meeting for the owners was totally focused on a change
of property manager, which was a huge big issue. Weve had the same property manager for a
long time and required a huge upheaval to make the change and so because the individuals were
taking on this responsibility to tackle this situation that is why the board let it pass by in terms of
the agenda at the annual meeting. So, you know there are many layers to all of these
representations and you have to hear from everyone to get the full picture. And I myself would
like to know from Mr. Huggett why Mr. Soto abandoned the original property proposal and I
wonder if he could give me that answer.
SPRINGER:Could someone from the Applicants team respond?
MOOERS:I can respond but its hearsay. Mr. Soto informed me that the reason he
was dropping it-, Mr. Soto is a contractor from Honolulu. He informed me that his insurance
company advised him not to build the project because of the amount of litigation on multi-family
dwellings as far as faulty construction whatever and the insurance rates are very, very high now
on contractors and thats what he alleged to me but I have no way of knowing other than that.
And, like I said thats just hearsay.
EXHIBIT C
19
SPRINGER:Thank you for that courtesy Mr. Mooers. Maam if you could address
your concerns to the-, this matter before us which is the standing in the contested case.
DENNIS:An earlier question was stated that the job of the Planning Commission is
to see if this is a good use of the property. And, if you look at the area, its a tiny land lot piece
that is going to access onto an already congested driveway where there was a really serious
accident that hurt a little girl I think year before last. And, the person that witnessed that was
very traumatized but hes not here to speak today. But, if you could see the situation it would be
an ideal place for a single-family development on a large process with maybe multi apartments
for your visitors. But to have a 12 unit condominium go in there is, I cant see how it could be
considered a good use of the property except monetarily because it impinges on the neighboring
properties in such a way. And, I havent heard what the easement-, how the easement is going to
work that you say is being negotiated about how youll solve the driveway problem and the
water,sewagetreatmenteasementthatV.I.isapparentlydiscussingwithyou.And,fromearlier
discussions I was feeling very optimistic that the Huggetts would be wonderful neighbors to have
because they were oriented more toward mediation negotiation and then I-, the interpretation of
the voicemail from Mr. Buscemi or Mr. Haney is-, Im surprised you didnt do a reality check to
see if that was a threat because Im very surprised that-, from my, Im not a close friend of either
Mr. Buscemi or Mr. Haney but in these dealings of trying to get information and know whats
going on he seemed a reasonable person. And I would be absolutely shocked that, that was
intended as any kind of threat to you. And Im just surprised you didnt do a reality check to ask
him what he actually meant by that statement that you wrote down that was so shocking.
SPRINGER:Maam if you could please make testimony to the Planning Commission.
DENNIS:Yes, Im very concerned that this project might go in there and I would
like the Planning Commission to go and look at this property so you can see exactly what the
problems are that were talking about. And, if you would do that I think the whole problem
would be resolved.
SPRINGER:Thank you maam. Are there any questions for the testifier? Thank you
for making testimony to us maam. Sir?
TESTIFIER:May I just (inaudible) Ive been sworn in earlier?
SPRINGER:You may, and if you could please begin with your name and your address.
GALLANT:My name is A. John Gallant. Address 75-6002 Alii Drive, Unit 4213,
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740.
SPRINGER:Thank you.
GALLANT:Youre welcome. Basically, well, Ill preface it-, I am the only full-time
resident of Sea Village. I live there year round so its my home, its important to me, its my
neighborhood. Regarding the contested case I guess the only thing that I would throw out is if
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20
the Huggetts can inherit the Soto application and I have no problem with that personally is there
a way that Mr. Kims clients can sort of inherit the contested case before? And I, you know I
dont know if theres a way to do that but it just doesnt seem fair-. It seems like it would be
more fair if was balanced where everything could be brought up. Thats all I have to say.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Gallant. Mr. Director, would you care to give an answer to
the member of the public on that?
YUEN:The one party that requested a contested intervention in a contested case
hearing when the time came to do that has formally withdrawn their request for the contested
case hearing. Hence, theres nothing to inherit or to pass on.
GALLANT:Okay, thank you for that clarification.
SPRINGER:Thankyousir.Anyquestionsforthetestifier.Seeingnone,members
were at 1:00, as we know well be losing quorum at 1:30. There is a question that we can
answer today and thats the matter ofthe contested case and granting intervention according to
the requests that weve received. I welcome any discussion on that matter now.
IWASHITA:Madame Chair?
SPRINGER:Commissioner Iwashita.
IWASHITA:Thank you. I would ask that we have executive session with our counsel
to address some residual issues that that I would like counsel to provide us answers on.
SPRINGER:Thank you is there a second for that motion?
MCCALL:I second.
SPRINGER:Its been moved by Commissioner Iwashita and seconded by
Commissioner McCall that we move into Executive Session for the purposes of conferring with
our attorney on the SMA permit issues before us. All those in favor indicate so by saying aye.
COMMISSIONERS:Aye.
SPRINGER:Any opposed?
ALAMEDA:Nay.
SPRINGER:Theres one opposition.
COMMAND:Bobby Command, West Hawaii today. I just want formal-, the formal
citation of the Executive Session from I guess-, whoever, Corporation Counsel.
TORIGOE:Can I get that to you like a few minutes or-.
EXHIBIT C
21
COMMAND:On the record.
TORIGOE:When you say formal citation you mean what?
COMMAND:Why youre going into Executive Session.
TORIGOE:Okay, yeah thats a good thing to clarify. And this is again to consult with
Counsel for purposes of discussing some of your legal options and some of the potential
liabilities or I guess defensibility of positions that you may take.
SPRINGER:Did you get that Mr. Command? Okay, thank you. And, the record will
note that there was one opposition to going into Executive Session and that was Commissioner
Alameda. If we could have the room vacated please?
EXECUTIVEThe Chair called an Executive Session at 1:05 p.m.
SESSIONThe Commission came out of executive session at 1:35 p.m. by a motion
made by Commissioner McCall, seconded by Commissioner Smith, and
unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance.
SPRINGER:As stated previously at 1:30 we lose quorum of this body. Were at 1:30
now. I see one Commissioner preparing his things to leave. Is there any further discussion we
want to have today or may we have a motion to continue this matter.
IWASHITA:I think at the suggestion of Counsel well put on the record a motion to
close Executive Session.
SPRINGER:Okay.
IWASHITA:I so move.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Is there a second?
ALAMEDA:Second.
SPRINGER:All those in favor indicate so by saying aye.
COMMISSIONERS:Aye.
SPRINGER:Any opposed?
COMMISSIONERS:(silence)
SPRINGER:Thank you. This meeting with the Hawaii County Planning Commission
isbackinregularsessionandweareabouttolosequorum.Beforewelosequorumisthereany
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22
brief discussion on this matter or are we prepared to move to continue the matter. Commissioner
Iwashita?
IWASHITA:Continue further proceedings on-. I move to continue further proceedings
on applicant Wesley and Kelley Huggett, formerly Eric Soto, SMA 03-007, to be scheduled at
the next Kona meeting of this body. Is that appropriate?
SPRINGER:Is there a second? And then we can get that in discussion. Is there a
second?
MCCALL:Could the motion be repeated?
SIRACUSA:Louder.
IWASHITA:Idontknowifyouwanttoaskforthat.Imovethatwecontinuefurther
proceedings on applicant Wesley and Kelley Huggett, formerly Eric Soto, SMA 03-007 until the
next Kona meeting of this body.
SPRINGER:Is there a second? If there is no second the motion dies.
IWASHITA:Madame Chair?
SPRINGER:Sir?
IWASHITA:As indicated previously, may I be excused?
SPRINGER:You may.
IWASHITA:Thank you.
SPRINGER:Commissioners we are about to lose quorum. If we do not make a motion
to continue this Mr. Torigoe what do we do? Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:May I make a motion then?
SPRINGER:You may.
WATANABE:Okay. Im not sure if Im wording this right but Ill make a motion to
deny the request for standing as intervenors in the matter of Special Management Area Use
Permit, SMA 03-007 and off the top of my head I do not recall all of the requested intervenors so
if you could help me out Mr. Hayashi by stating for the record who all the intervenors were?
HAYASHI:Would you like to have that in the record?
SPRINGER:I would like to ask Mr. Torigoe if he could give us some better -, some
more clear-.
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TORIGOE:Well lets clarify the motion. Is the intent of the motion to deny standing
to all of the intervenors that have requested intervention at this point-, people who have
requested intervention at this point?
WATANABE:That is correct.
TORIGOE:Mr. Hayashi can we have a list of that -, those to make sure that is the
proper understanding?
HAYASHI:Okay. There were -, the reason why were hesitating is because there
were 2 people with a formal petition. The rest didnt file any kind of formal petition but by letter
form. So does the motion include all those.
WATANABE:FortherecordIwouldsuggestthatweincludealleventhoughIrealize
they did not, you know file the correct form and that would give them their response.
HAYASHI:Okay. Thank you. That would be Brian Haney, Jack and Kelley
Armstrong, Mark and Kim Spangler, Lowell Zimmerman and Charles Buscemi.
WATANABE:To elaborate my reason for deniable would be untimely filing.
MCCALL:Ill second the motion.
SPRINGER:Is there a second?
MCCALL:Second.
SPRINGER:Is there any discussion on this motion before the Hawaii County Planning
Commission? It was moved by Commissioner Watanabe and seconded by Commissioner
McCall to deny all the requests for standing in this contested case. Commissioner McCall.
MCCALL:I feel, I think we perhaps need to put some things on the record. That I
think that -, I feel that the -, there has been a substitution of the Applicant. Huggett has been
substituted for Eric Soto but I feel that the application remains and as such these new requests for
intervention are untimely because of that. That these parties had their opportunity to request
intervention when Mr. Soto first put in the application.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. McCall is there any other discussion on the matter? Mr.
Hayashi.
HAYASHI:Thank you Madame Chair. Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:Aye.
HAYASHI:Commissioner McCall?
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MCCALL:Aye.
HAYASHI:Commissioner Siracusa?
SIRACUSA:Aye.
HAYASHI:Commissioner Alameda?
ALAMEDA:Aye.
HAYASHI:Chair Springer?
SPRINGER:Yes.
HAYASHI:Madame Chair, 5 aye votes motion carries.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioners I already have stayed beyond the time I
committedtodoso,sowelosequorumatthispoint.
Thediscussionendedat1:45p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Sanemitsu, West Hawaii Secretary
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