2004-09-16 Planning Commission Minutes

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Ms. Siracusa said she had a concern on the amount of traffic this business generates and suggested a right-hand turn only out of the parking lot, noting the applicants do have access currently from another location. Mr. Fuke spoke of the need for the expansion and noted the applicant wishes to maintain the existing orientation of the area, which is primarily towards automobiles. He said they did look at the Police Departments comment about limiting left-turn movements; however, they felt what is being asked right now is sufficient given the existing traffic pattern, the Countys requirement of curbs, gutters, and sidewalks, and there is a high level of visibility since the roadway is relatively straight. He said if the property were located on a Kawili Street type of intersection where you have all movements, then the issue raised on a limited access would probably be very germane and other things may need to be done; however, Lanikaula Street basically does not allow for a full cross movement, wherein if one were on Lanikaula Street at Leungs the only movement is basicallyarightturn. InresponsetoCommissionerSpringerssolicitationforcomments,Mr.Yuensaidthe Planning Department did not impose a condition to limit the turning movements, given that the Department of Public Works did not request any special accommodations. There was no one from the public wising to testify on this agenda item. It was moved by Commissioner Springer and seconded by Commissioner McCall to send a favorable recommendation to the County Council for the reasons and with the conditions recommended by the Planning Director. Commissioner Graham said although he did not know this intersection well enough to offer any real substantive comments, his remarks were that generally he feels the Police Departments comments have merit, but as the Director indicated theDepartment of Public Works has a stronger voice; process wise it was okay to support the request; and if first-hand experience tells you it is not the right thing to do, then one needs to stay with what you know. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with five ayes (Springer, McCall, Siracusa, Graham and Galdones) and four absent and excused (Alameda, Fujikawa, Smith, and Thibadeau). The Commission took this item up at 2:48 p.m. with REZ 04-015 two people from the public in attendance. ISLAND OHANA DENTAL WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: ISLAND OHANA DENTAL (REZ 04-015) ChangeofZonefor22,300squarefeetoflandfromaSingleFamilyResidential10,000 square foot (RS-10) to an Industrial Commercial Mixed 20,000 square foot (MCX-20) district.ThepropertyislocatedalongthenorthsideofLanikaulaStreet,approximately 100 feet west of the Lanikaula Street Kanoelehua Avenue intersection, adjacent to and westoftheOsakaRestaurantbuilding,andalsodiagonallyacrossfromLeungsChop Suey House, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, Tax Map Key (3) 2-2-37:31. 4