2004-07-16 Planning Commission Minutes

Home

ForCommissioner Springersinformation, Mr. Griffey gave some background information and said water is available to the property but the applicant is currently resolving the question of ownership of the water meter with the Department of Water Supply. For Commissioner Alamedas information, Mr. Darrow noted that the Hawaii County Code requires a special permit for the operation of a bed and breakfast operation in the State Land Use Agricultural District. Elizabeth Stack, adjoining property owner, said she did not have an objection to a bed and breakfast but did have an objection to the number of guests and the proposal leaving only one bedroom for the family of three, noting it is a neighborhood and not a commercial district. She clarified her concerns were with regard to the potential traffic, noise and no control of the guests going onto neighboring properties. Commissioner Springer solicited the Deputy Planning Directors comments regarding Ms.Stackstestimony.Mr.TakemotosaiditappearedthedistancesbetweenMs.Stacks residence and the applicant provides for adequate privacy and buffering in terms of noise; and he did not see a problem as far as traffic since they do not share the same driveway. Ms. Stack raised such questions as who is going to welcome the guests, who is going to provide the breakfast, who is going to make sure the guests do not waunder about the neighborhood? In response to Ms. Stacks testimony, Mr. Griffey said they have an on-going project to trap feral pigs in the area. He then clarified there are five bedrooms for the B&B and two bedrooms and a maids quarters with a half bath for the family, indicating on the presentation map the location of the units to be used for a bed and breakfast operation. He then tried to allay Mrs. Stacks fear by saying he is in the process of retiring from the real estate business and will be living at the facility pretty much all of the time, and there will be a lot of control with the operation, noting he knows the history of the area as he has lived there for over 35 years and know a lot of the families in the area. Commission Graham noted the Zoning Code has the requirements for a bed and breakfast, with the limit of five units allowed. Commissioner Fujikawa noted that the operator is required to live on the premises, and it is controlled environment. He said he was for the application because the applicant is addressing the situation in the right way by trying to become legal. It was moved by Commissioner Fujikawa and seconded by Commissioner Smith that the application be approved based on and incorporating the Planning Directors recommendation, with conditions. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with seven ayes (Fujikawa, Smith, Alameda, Graham, Springer, Thibadeau and Galdones) and one absent and excused (McCall). RECESSEDThe Chair called a short recess at 10:53 a.m. RECONVENEDThe meeting reconvened at 11:00 a.m. 6