2004-09-16 Planning Commission Minutes

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The Commission took this item up at 3:00 p.m. with REZ 04-016 two people from the public in attendance. BETTY WUNG WAIAKEA ND HOMESTEADS 2 SERIES, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: BETTY WUNG (REZ 04-016) Change of Zone for approximately 2.511 acres of land from an Agricultural 3-acre (A-3a) to a Single-Family Residential 15,000 square feet (RS-15) district. The property is located along the south side of Haihai Street, approximately 600 feet from the Haihai Street - Kupulau Street intersection and across from Hoaloha Street, Waiakea nd Homesteads 2 Series, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-4-38: 16. Mr. Hayashi oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, summarized the request, and noted the Planning Director recommended approval of the application with conditions. In response to Commissioner Siracusas inquiry, Mr. Hayashi said the private driveway will be situated on the east property line, and a map and layout of the proposed subdivision was sent to the adjoining property owners. Commissioner Graham noted that in the subdivisions above, everything seems planned and orderly where the streets all intersect, etc., and below it appears to be a mishmash; and he then questioned whether the Planning Department had any tools to bring out an orderlygrowth,oritwasjustthewayalldevelopmentstakeplaceifthereisnotonebig property owner. Mr. Yuen said it was good point but he did not have a solution for the way the ownerships are laid out. In response to Commissioner McCalls comment, Mr. Hayashi noted that the Council deleted the Planning Commissions proposed condition for the Yamada rezoning to have their driveway access intersect with Hanohano Street. Commissioner Siracusa said although the subject property is not classified as prime or unique agricultural land, the soil study indicates the land could be fairly productive for specific types of crops, adding she was having difficulty allowing agricultural lands to be urbanized and paved over. Mr. Yuen said although Commissioner Siracusa had a very legitimate concern, the property is designated for urban expansion in the General Plan. The applicants representative, Sidney Fuke, gave some background information and noted the intent is to do a 6-lot subdivision. He said they would like to leave the discretion on aligning their driveway access to Haihai Street with the Department of Public Works inasmuch as it may be deemed more appropriate to have the road on the makai side to enable a possible north/south type of connection if and when the adjoining property on the makai side begins to develop. He said the applicant does not intend to do mass grading of the property, noting the existing citrus trees add to the value of the potential lots. 6