2004-03-05 Planning Commission Minutes

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Regarding the concern that the public hearing is being held in Kau, rather than in Hilo, Mr. Shropshire said they have had a total of five various meetings in the community in the last 90 days. Mr. Shropshire said they met with the Hakalau Community Association, Hakalau Senior Association, with the Board of Directors of the Hakalau Jodo Mission and, again, with the overall community this past Sunday, noting there were approximately 65 people in attendance and they received very positive reinforcement from the community about the project. Mr. Moore added that they did offer to provide transportation to people to attend todayÓs meeting and no one took them up on their offer, noting they are attempting to do the right thing as they will be long- term neighbors. Ms. Nahoopii, community relations director for Aloha Green, said she did work with the community prior to working with the applicant and has an intimate relationship with many of the kupuna, noting the beauty of working with the community and being able to gather the concerns and information in advance. In response to Mr. MooreÓs inquiry, Mr. Yuen stated that unless the public notice is amended, the applicant is not able to create more than 25 lots. For Commissioner SpringerÓs information, Mr. Shropshire said they met with the Hakalau Community Association in the Hakalau Gym, the Hakalau Jodo Mission in the mission itself, and with the adjacent neighbor who was in support of their application. He agreed with Commissioner McCall said that the Jodo Mission property was deeded to the Mission by Mauna Kea Sugar Company and they have easement to access their propert Mr. Yuen said, although he was not asking for a specific condition regarding landscaping, he would suggest the applicant screen the subdivision from the highway. Mr. Shropsire agreed to creating a visual and sound barrier with vegetation from the Highway, noting he was in the landscaping business the last 25 years in Alaska and his goal is to make a landscaping showcase. Mr. Shropshire added that ironically the Jodo Mission wants their church to be more visible and have asked him to create some exposure, at least from off the ol In response to Mr. YuenÓs inquiry, Mr. Shropshire said currently they are permitted two access points off Highway 19, but it is not in their current plans to utilize those points. Mr. Darrow indicated on the presentation map the location of the two access points. Mr. Yuen then recommended that there be an added condition that there be no direct access to the subdivision from Highway 19 as he felt it would be highly undesirable to have more access points on the highway. Mr. Moore said the applicant is willing to make a commitment that he will not utilize those access points since they believe they do not have adequate sight distance, and the cost of putting in turning lanes or even an acceleration lane would make the project unfeasible; however, he questioned whether it was an appropriate condition to be imposed on an SMA Use Permit, based on past legal cases. Mr. Yuen said the Commission can only impose a traffic-related condition if the traffic would create a significant environmental or ecological effect within the SMA; and as the Belt Highway does serve a large group of properties in the SMA, to create more accesses to the Belt Highway could have a significant environmental effect. In response to Commissioner KubotaÓs inquiry, Ms. OÓToole said the Director correctly stated what the case 2