HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-07-15 GOLDING
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAII
HEARING TRANSCRIPT
JULY 15, 2005
A regularly advertised hearing on the application of
GARY & CRISSY GOLDING (SPP 05-
was called to order at 9:50 a.m. in the King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Ekahi
011)
Ballroom, 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, with Vice Chairperson Hannah Springer
presiding.
PRESENT:Hannah Springer (left at noon)ABSENT & EXCUSED: Fred Galdones
Jeffrey McCallC. Kimo Alameda
Rene Siracusa
AndrewIwashita
Allen Salavea
William R. Graham (Chairman Pro tem at noon)
Rodney H. Watanabe
Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Chris Yuen, Deputy Planning Director
Jeff Darrow, Staff Planner
Kiran Emler representing Department of Public Works
And approximately 17 people from the public in attendance.
APPLICANTS: GARY & CRISSY GOLDING (SPP 05-011)
Application for a Special Permit to allow the establishment of a mixed use light industrial-
commercial project with residential and agricultural facilities for wholesale/retail and office
rental space, a hostel with overnight camping, and gathering places for organizations and
community groups on 4.07 acres situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The
property is located along the mauka side of the Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 11), between
Highway 11 and Moana Drive and approximately 790 feet west of the Highway 11 King
Kamehameha Boulevard intersection, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Subdivision, Kahuku, Kau,
Hawai i, TMK: 9-2-85: 24 and 30.
SPRINGER:Were now on agenda item number 4. The applicants are Gary and Crissy
Golding, Special Permit 05-011. This is an application for a Special Permit to allow the
establishment of a mixed use light industrial-commercial project with residential and agricultural
facilities for wholesale/retail and office rental space, a hostel with overnight camping, and
gathering places for organizations and community groups on 4.07 acres situated within the State
Land Use Agricultural District. The property is located along the mauka side of the Hawaii Belt
Road, Highway 11, between Highway 11 and Moana Drive and approximately 790 feet west of
the Highway 11 King Kamehameha Boulevard intersection, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates
Subdivision, Kahuku, Kau, Hawaii, TMK: 9-2-85: 24 and 30. Mr. Darrow.
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DARROW:Thank you Madam Chair. If I may direct the Commissioners attention to
the location map. The area of this application is within the Kau District of Hawai i, more
specifically in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Subdivision. This blue line, blue and white line
travelling in a east-west direction is the Hawaii Belt Road, Highway 11. As you can see there
have been numerous special permits approved by all the red dots that you see on the map. The
area that were looking at more specifically for this application is identified in blue. This is
located on Highway 11 as well as on Moana Drive. The applicants in this case Gary and Crissy
Golding are requesting a special permit to allow the establishment of a mixed use, light industrial
commercial project with residential and agricultural facilities for wholesale, retail and office
rental space, a hostel with overnight camping and gathering places for organizations and
community groups on 4.07 acres of land. According to the applicants the complete project
becomes an interactive engagement park for the whole community promoting the concepts of
environmentally, responsible commerce and aiding the activities programs and projects designed
to help people achieve sustainable environmental health with nature and society. The
developmentwillconsistofthefollowing.Therearetwoparcelsidentifiedaslot5aaswellas
lot 7a. These have been consolidated. They were 4 parcels now there are 2 parcels. On lot 5a
this includes several structures. The applicants are proposing to do this development within
phases. Phase 1 will include the applicants residence, gallery and store identified by the letter S.
This has been identified as phase 1 in the application and it is also addressed in the conditions
that phase 1 will be done according to the applicants and will be completed first. Condition that
deals with this is Condition number 3. It also states that any additional phases need not be
conducted in chronological order, they can be done in any type of order after that. a condition
that this particular phase be constructed first. On lot 5a we have building S, which is identified
as the applicants residence, gallery and store. We have building M which is identified as a
catering kitchen, a area for caf± tables, decks for meeting places as well as a restroom and other
types of uses. Buildings A and B are proposed by the applicants to be office and meeting space
type areas and also rental space type areas within these 2 structures. They also propose a future
possible building C, which will also be used- similar types of uses. Looking at lot 7a again we
have the structures and areas identified in letters, more importantly structure L1 which is the
hostel and lodge area. It is a large structure identified in the application as approximately 7,000
square feet in size. We have structures P1 and P2, which will be used mainly for maintenance
type of structures as well as restrooms. L2 is the area identified in the application as containing
the hale overnight camping area. Each one of the hales are identified, outlined in purple small
hale-type structures there, it looks theres approximately 12 of them. To my left is a map
identifying what they look like as far as elevations and what they appear to be as after they are
constructed. The conditions to mention: Condition number 2, similar in the Patrick application,
the Planning Director is recommending that the type and scale of the activities and the physical
improvements to the properties shall be done in substantial conformance to the description in the
application. So again, later in the future if this were to change hands it wouldnt become
something entirely different. I mentioned earlier Condition 3 states that phase 1 shall be
constructed first and all other phases can be done in any type of chronological order. Condition
4 limits the size of certain structures as well as the amount of beds within the hostel and lodge
area and on the facility, the facility not having more than 40 beds. Condition number 6 states
that no commercial retail store is permitted other than the sale of items produced on the
premises. Condition number 8 limits the amount of signs, one per roadway frontage. So we
have Highway 11 here, there will be one sign allowed here as well as one sign along Moana
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Drive. I should also mention that the next condition, access shall be limited to Moana Drive.
Access from the Highway is prohibited. The Director is requesting that a condition be placed in
here that has a 10-foot wide planting screen easement and that access again is prohibited. This
was also requested by comments from the Department of Transportation. Lastly, Condition
number 11 states that the use of amplified devices for speech and music shall be prohibited on
the project site. The Planning Director is recommending that the gallery and workspace area and
the commercial sale of items produced on the premises associated with the applicants residence
building S as well as the hostel, lodge, associated gathering facilities and related restrooms and
maintenance facilities more specifically buildings L1, M, P1 and P2 be approved by the Planning
Commission. The Planning Director is also recommending that the request for additional
workspace areas, offices and rental spaces, buildings A, B and the future building C as well as
the area the hale overnight camping area identified by L2 be denied by the Planning
Commission. Weve received numerous letters within the application and petitions in support of
this project. Are there any questions?
SPRINGER:Commissioners any questions for Mr. Darrow? Seeing none. Will the
applicantortheirrepresentativepleasecomeforward?GoodMorning.Willtheapplicantand
their representative and all those who signed up to testify or wishing to testify please raise your
right hands at this time so that I may swear you in. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on
this matter now before the Hawaii County Planning Commission?
TESTIFIERS:I do.
SPRINGER:Thank you all. As you provide testimony please state your name, your
residence address and then you may proceed. Beginning with you sir on my far left.
ROLAND:Good morning everybody.
SPRINGER:Good morning.
ROLAND:Madam Chairman, this is-?
SPRINGER:Your name and address please?
ROLAND:Yeah. This is a very important event for us so. I live in Ocean View at
King Kam and Coral. My mailing address is 6849 Ocean View.
SPRINGER:And you are?
ROLAND:And my name is Ralph Roland.
SPRINGER:Could you repeat that please?
ROLAND:My name is Ralph Roland.
SPRINGER: Thank you Mr. Roland.
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GOLDING:Good morning. Gary Golding, PO Box 1107, Naalehu, 96772.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Maam.
GOLDING:Good morning. Crissy Wright Golding. 1107 PO Box, Naalehu, 96772.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Have you received the Planning Departments Background
Report and Recommendation?
ROLAND:Yes we have.
SPRINGER:Do you have any comments to make at this time Mr. Roland?
ROLAND:WellI-Iwouldhopewedbeabletodiscusssomeoftheitemsinthe
recommendation and the background report. Up to the limit of your indulgence.
SPRINGER:Please proceed.
ROLAND:Okay. If I just take it from the very top and go through it itd probably be
more systematic. In the very first paragraph after approvals building L3 is not identified in either
the denial or the approval and I would assume that should be clarified.
SPRINGER:Sir could you please tell us what document youre looking at, what page
youre looking on the document.
ROLAND:Oh, okay Im sorry. This is the recommendation of the Director.
SPRINGER:Okay and are you on the first page?
ROLAND:Im on the first page, first paragraph and he identifies the buildings that he
is recommending approval for and then proceeds with the ones that he lists that he wants to deny
and the L3 which is a pavilion isnt included in that so just as a point that should be clarified.
SPRINGER:Okay, Mr. Director should that be then included in the list?
YUEN:L3 is a denial. L3 is the restroom, shower and locker facility for the
people staying in the camping area.
DARROW:The question was whether or not that was directly related to L2 or if it was
something that was placed here in as a general bathroom facility for people on the grounds. So
at this time it was going to be requested for clarification if this is an accessory directly to the hale
overnight facility or if it was for the overall facility.
YUEN:If it fits in with the overall facility aside from the camping area which we
are recommending denial then the Department has no problem with that building going in.
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SPRINGER:Mr. Roland?
ROLAND:Okay. I understand that. Then we should just follow up that were
requesting the facility to be an over and out camping as opposed to just day camping. And it
seems that the problem with the overnight camping is the hale Hawaiian type structures with
grass roofs. And the programs that we would like include and that would utilize the project if we
cant have Hawaiian structures we would still like to have an overnight camping component as
part of the operation. And the area is sort of isolated by itself in a very nice spot. And its very
conducive to overnight camping and I dont know of any overnight camping facilities that
approaches what we want to do or exist but I understand that we would be allowed day camping.
So were asking for overnight camping in some form or another if were not able to build
structures there. And I dont know if that is in the Planning Directors mind or whether hes
considered that aspect or not.
SPRINGER:Mr. Director can you respond to the request by the applicant?
YUEN:We looked at the request for camping in the hales and it was pretty clear
thatitwasntgoingtopassbuildingandfirecoderequirements.Thosekindsofstructuresasa
permanent structure for people to stay in overnight. So it was pretty easy to recommend denial
of that. Im not ready to accept a special permit for overnight camping. At this point Im still
recommending denial on strictly an overnight camping area. And it raises a question of what
kind of tourist economy youre going to have. And so thats and thats the basic reason for
recommending denial at this point. If you were just talking about say having a lawn where
people had tents and you would have a facility. I guess you still have a bathroom facility for
them but then I would still recommend denial on that. You can still request it Im just making a
recommendation. You can try to make your case to the Commission but that would be my
recommendation.
SPRINGER:Do you have any follow-up on that Mr. Roland?
ROLAND:Okay thank you. Well, we would hope that maybe the Planning
Commission would be, have greater latitudes in that regard. Because were going to have a
lodge where therell be various groups coming that will be controlled groups that will be
interacting with a National Park and other wilderness areas. And as a matter of economics to
make things affordable and available for young people and so forth we would like to on occasion
not like an ongoing thing or for something to the public. We would like to have that as an aspect
of what were doing. And, the site is really quite appropriate for it so it had suggested it to us
initially and that grew within our thinking. And so were hoping that somehow miraculously we
will be able to provide some of that.
SPRINGER:Thank you before we continue on through the recommendation sheet,
Commissioner Siracusa?
SIRACUSA:Yes I have some other, I had some confusion about calling these hales
permanent structures because it is my understanding that the pili grass has to be changed every
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couple of years; and therefore the question whether it is a permanent structure at all falling under
the building code is a big question in my mind. I know that the building code is undergoing
revision at this point. I dont know if the question of hales is included in that as far as the
discussion goes. It seems to me that people have been living in them permanently all around the
Pacific for a long, long time and doing so quite successfully. And so I really have trouble you
know understanding why this should not be allowed especially since were looking at overnight
camping as opposed to someone residing there on a permanent basis, which they would not be
able to do anyway because they would have to be redone every couple of years in any event. So
I was wondering if the Director would care to comment on that?
SPRINGER:Director Yuen do you have-
YUEN:Currently under the building code thatched roofs are permitted only in
resort zones. And we havent permitted any for human occupancy. There are some thatched
roofbuildingsinresortareasthatareguardshacktypebuildingsorcanoeshedsorthatsortof
thing. The safety aspect from a fire standpoint of people staying in a thatched building is the
same whether its a person- a different person every night or one person who lives there
continually. Its probably less safe for a person who just comes once in a while. So, rather than
pass a special permit that leads somebody to a dead end on the building code side, we were
recommending against that. It will not meet building or fire code for human occupancy. As far
as the temporary building- a temporary building. You can get a temporary building permit but
its only a 30-day, its only good for 30 days. So thats the limit on a temporary building. And
this would be as something that is designed to be there permanently even if the roof has to be
replaced every couple of years it would still count as a full building. So given and putting aside
the question of simply having a camping area where people bring their own tents for example an
camp. We would not recommend approving a special permit for people staying in structures that
cant pass fire code.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Siracusa any follow-up?
SIRACUSA:But youre also saying that even if they were to put up little wooden
cabins say little one room wooden cabins like they have up at Pohakuloa and places like that you
still wouldnt want to do that because you dont want to encourage overnight camping at that
location is that correct?
YUEN:No, we approved the application for a hostel. We didnt have an
application for people- for some kind of minimal cottage. I dont think we would have a
problem with that subject to an overall limit. Weve been holding a 40-unit limit on special
permits for overnight accommodation. We have an application for- were dealing with an
application for a hostel which was in a building and an application for essentially camping but
people staying in these lean to type thatched roof structures that was the application and we
denied that part of the application. If we had had an application for- if the hostel had been a
bunch of cottages we probably would have approved the cottages subject to an overall limit.
SIRACUSA:Thank you.
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SPRINGER:Other Commissioners?
YUEN:You know and thats you know thats a building that we were talking
about them putting up a building that does meet building and fire codes. Itmay be small, it may
be simple but it would meet those codes.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Graham?
GRAHAM:I just want to address this to Mr. Roland. Im sort of assuming that you
probably coming in front of us and youre not sure what were thinking or where our concerns
are and all that.
ROLAND:I have not a clue.
GRAHAM:So,Iwantedtojustonlyspeakingformyselfjusttrytogiveyoualittle
feel for whats going on so that you can address yourself appropriately and all. It seems like
almost all the special permits that we deal with are sort of what I would call more tight. Like the
one we just had before about this Morihara Store. In other words they deal with a more specific
you know single activity or-. Whereas yours both in terms of scope of whats going on like a
gallery, a catering facility, overnight camping, office space and all. Even though you write in
your speaking part here is what it feels to me you know your philosophy and all that stuff you
kind of pull it together with your philosophy. To me looking at whats going in on the ground
doesnt pull together so much for me. It seems like somewhat disparate things and I dont think
theres anything in the law about special permits that says thats not okay. Im just saying its
very much against the grain of how we usually see special permit requests. And then on the time
side where youre saying well maybe in 10 years well do some more that also will complete
parts of it in 10 years, that feels to me more like the you know theoretical what we might like to
do kind of stuff. And again thats a little contrary to what I feel we usually run into where
somebody has a specific thing were going to do this and were ready to do it and all. So I, so
my kind of resistant side or uncomfortable on this side with whats going on has to do with both
of those aspects. So I just wanted to put that forward to you so you can keep that in mind as you
go forward.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioner Graham. Mr. Roland?
ROLAND:Maybe I could address that a little bit. In Ocean View there are a lot
people living there that have to commute and they have a lifestyle that is quite different than
Kona or Hilo and the community is in the throws of change quite rapid change now. And theres
not really much there that is available to people that want to do things. Theres not any places
for people to rent to set up a small shop or a work facility of any kind and theres no real meeting
places. Even though we have a community hall theres a lot of politics involved there and a lot
of controls and restrictions and a lot of people have been alienated for one reason or another. So
as a community we dont have a center, we dont have a place where we can interact in a positive
sense and develop some sort of a consensus where were going and how were going to go
together, because theres a lot of things at stake and theres a lot involved on a lot of levels. And
the Goldings want to open up their own business and they also want to do something thats really
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germane and important to the community and where they see some real needs, and we dont see
anybody else about to address any of these needs. And what were proposing is really in
response to a reality that does exist there. So, if it seemsa little large or a little scattered in its
concepts basically we went and talked with the Planning Department about the project when they
had acquired 2 acres and were planning to open their own store and do something else for the
community at the same time. And, then they found out the next 2 lots were available, and
through that process of discussing what we wanted to do we really felt we didnt have enough
space to do it on the 2 acres. And so the Planning Department recommended that once they had
completed the purchasing of the other parcels and had done the lot consolidation then we
combine it all together and submit it one time. And, it really did make sense to do that and it
actually helped us develop a better project. But, in doing all that its been 2 years from the very
beginning to now to put this all together, and a lot of thought has gone into it. And if you put us
in the context of other places and other circumstances and all the code requirements that are
usually applied to these situations you wont be seeing the reality as we see it in the community.
Youllbeseeingthevariousaspectsthatyouhavetodealwithlegallyandorappointedtodo.
But basically we are asking for the opportunity to develop something thats really meaningful for
the community and it has a lot of different aspects and phases to it because the needs in the
community are very diverse and great. So I think if you put us in the right context were more
understandable. And I think we can jump through a few of the hurdles I think maybe we can
surmount the fire departments requirements. Or we can help evolve within the next 5 years
evolve some process where we could actually do the type of structures we would like to see.
Cause this would be a beautiful spot for it and people would respond to that and would help the
programs that we were going to be running. So we have reasons, theyre not just casual reasons;
and I was hoping maybe if we just had the approval of allowing overnight camping in a situation
where we would be allowed day camping that didnt seem like a great stretch to me. And then
maybe if you dont close the door completely on Hawaiian type structures maybe we can deal
with this in a reasonable amount of time. Thats about all I can add to that. Thank you.
SPRINGER:Commissioners before we go on to Mr. Golding are there any questions
for Mr. Roland?
YUEN:Im not sure that Mr. Roland. I think it would be useful if he went through
all of the concerns that he has with the recommendations so that you have everything on the table
that they might be uncomfortable with.
SPRINGER:Okay. Maybe Mr.Golding did you have something that you wanted to
interject at this time then?
GOLDING, G.:Yes. Just so the Commission understands our location also is, to the south
of this area up there is the National Park that just came in and it will be years before they have
any facilities for the type of things were proposing; and I just wanted to point you that out. That
our location and weve been talking with the National Park as to let some of our project that also
is that directed toward the National Park facilities.
GOLDING, C.:And Id like to say something.
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SPRINGER:Mrs. Golding.
GOLDING, C.:Yes. About the camping. One of the reasons that we wanted to make a
group type of camping, it would be groups thats coming in, natural groups, YWCA, YMCA
th
children. I was raised on Oahu and in 4 grade we came to the Big Island as Hawaiiana and
raised money to stay in the Uncle Billys hotel or wherever and did hula for Uncle Billys. But,
there arent too many facilities where a group of kids or naturalists are going to come and stay
together in a inexpensive way and then experience the land instead of in a cement building. So
that was the purpose of doing a in-hostel and then an outside camping just to make it inexpensive
for groups to come learn and study.
SPRINGER:Thank you maam. Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:This would be addressed to either one of you. But in terms of your
finances as well as the chronology what portion of this vision you anticipated to build out first,
where does the camping fall into that? Was that first or last or in the middle somewhere?
GOLDING, G.:Basically our, we were starting off with the store and our residence and the
camping is a thing that-. That area that we showed for the camping is all aa and we tend to keep
it that way with little spaces for camping only with trails. So that would be a on going thing
duringtheprojectprobablyaswewouldgoon.Itwouldntbeathingthat-ourmaingoalisthe
main building to get started.
WATANABE:So so then-
GOLDING, C.:Be toward the end.
WATANABE:You possibly would be open to reapplying for it at a later date cause I
believe the Directors recommendations would allow you to proceed with your initial plans
right?
GOLDING, G.:Well, we did go and our recommendations were to present it all at once to
see what we could get and thats what were doing now.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Golding. Other Commissioners any questions before we
continue on with Mr. Roland? Thank you. Mr. Roland.
ROLAND:Yes I think that maybe Ill just go through it and see if some of the
comments that I have here-. On the third page when we get down to item B when you get to the
Directors evaluation it says the desired use will have adverse effects surrounding properties-the
desired use would adversely affect surrounding properties. From our point of view in Ocean
View its hard to see that. There would be far more benefits than any adverse effects and were
hoping to enhance the property significantly. So theres not, its a relatively undeveloped or
sparsely developed area and we would be doing our development in advance of other
development and possibly would have a positive influence in the area. But thats open into
interpretation I believe. And then the noise impact aspects, which is further down. We have to
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use amplification here to hear each other. And prior to their acquiring the property there was a
Southcoast Bar right adjacent that had burned down and evidently that is going to raise again
from the ashes. And well have to contend with whatever noise factors that will create and
hopefully well be able to inhibit some of the noise factors that used to be rampant in the
neighborhood when they did exist. So, we are planning something that is quite quiet but we
want to be in the normal range of a sound activities. We dont want to not be able to use public
address systems in a balanced way. Maybe theres a way of determining the amount of decibels
that we would be permitted to use, because not being able to use electronic equipment to some
extent itd be quite restrictive and inhibit the programs that are planned. Were not planning
rock group concerts or casual entertainment. We will have whatever the community really
wants. And were pretty good neighbors. And we know a lot of people in the neighborhood and
we wouldnt want to offend those people on any regular basis. So, I dont know how you would
want to address that but I think just shutting the door on public address and so forth seems a bit
severe. Do you want me to continue on? Okay. And then we get to the issue of the highway
access,whichwouldbeabighurdleforyoutoleapoverwithus.Butwerethinkinginfairly
long terms and the community is changing quite at a rapid rate and there is nothing there in the
community like what we will be providing, and those things that we will be providing are really
needed and wanted in the community. We dont have a township and we dont have- we have a
bedroom community or we have people living and working out of their houses and subsistence
exists and we have people doing all kinds of things in Ocean View. And there is no central
magnet for interaction. So as the park develops it needs the support of the community and we
become more of a gateway community. Our role may evolve to where we would like it to go,
which would really be in the public interest. And so at this point were just asking dont close
the door on that possibility and let the State Highway determine at the point that they would
consider highway access. And in the meantime we would like to be able to have our fire lane go
from street to street with a locked gate and leave it that way until we have proved ourselves to be
of sufficient importance in serving the community that the highway would entertain some form
of access. This is a leap that would take some thinking Im sure. But were thinking in terms of
very long term planning; and if you put a restriction on it at this stage the highway is not going to
give us access until we are developed and have proved our role in the community. And whether
they would give it then or not is still questionable but the possibility does exist. That could
evolve and if it does it would be in the public interest to do so. Where now it appears that it does
not, so I dont know if you have to make a determination or not on that matter because the
highway is not going to give us access. But if you leave the issue of the fire lane and the future
highway access to the Departments that are concerned we will have to conform to what they
would require.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Roland. Commissioner Siracusa you have some questions
at this time?
SIRACUSA:Yes. One thing about the highway its right, the highway belongs to the
State, its not our highway. If they say no access then we dont have any say in that really except
to put it as a condition of the permit. So, youre really trying to convince the wrong body as far
as that goes. As far as the noise impact to prohibit the use of amplification devices completely.
All right here, were using them right now, Im speaking into an amplification device right and
so is Mr. Roland and I was having extreme trouble hearing him or understanding what he was
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saying even with an amplification device-. And possibly if we amend that to say that
amplification devices shall be limited to the point where the sound is not heard outside the room.
So a lot of times there are meetings going on. I know I have organizations that I go to that has a
lot of senior citizens who are hard of hearing and they always have trouble when these groups
have to use, the Chair has to use a microphone so those senior citizens can understand whats
going on. So I would like to recommend that instead of prohibiting amplification devices
entirely that we just state that the sound from such devices not be so loud as to escape the
confines of the room in question thats being used. Would you have any problems with that Mr.
Yuen?
YUEN:I- no I dont. There may be- we can work on a wording for that-.
SIRACUSA:Thank you.
YUEN:-thataccomplishessomethinglikethat.Thatsaysthisshallnotbeaudible
beyond the- unless its- audible- can be used unless its audible beyond the property line. It
really- it doesnt have to be confined to the room but this is something thats been a concern for
people in neighborhoods of facilities that have special events.
SIRACUSA:Yeah and I can see that. I certainly wouldnt want to have it coming from
a neighboring property when Im trying to get some rest. But Im looking for a way that we can-
that they can have their meetings and at the same time it not disturb anyone else. I had a
question for Mr. Roland. What is your affiliation with this? Youre not one of the owners,
youre not a Golding, are you the consultant or the architect or who are you?
ROLAND:Well, I got involved in this because Im a friend of Crissys mother. And I
have a design, architectural design background and Ive worked on many major projects in my
earlier years. Im into forced retirement so Im coming out of retirement to help them with this
project and hopefully I will have a place in this as a consequence. So were working very
closely together and Ive been through this process before somewhat successfully so I dont have
much experience in it but I am not completely intimidated by it. So, Im here just to help
through, its a very complicated process to go through and especially plan for it. And we had to
go through this in sort of a fog because the General Plan was up in the air for so long and went
through so many different changes and its really hard to determine what the latitudes are you
know.
SIRACUSA:One more thing. I notice that you folks set up a whole display there and I
was wondering did you want to point certain things out to us or was that just an exercise in-?
ROLAND:Yeah I would like to. I put this up to support the extreme request that we
are making. And, the model over here I think if you look at it a lot of these buildings dont have
such a large footprint in the- they, some of them are multi-split level structures. You want me to
go over there?
DARROW:We can bring it over here.
EXHIBIT B
11
ROLAND:Oh, you want to bring it over there? So its reverse to this and north
would be the other end in reality. But the highway frontage there is a little different. Theres
easements and other roadways in that area and the highway is occupying about 45 feet of the 80-
foot slough that goes through the area. So theres a potential down the road as a community
actually developes and has a plan, that certain things could be developed and accommodated
according to whatever happens around this area. So, the Southcoast Bar property is probably
going to get developed very soon. So, on the board in the middle here is a roadway that I was
responsible for putting it in Kona that serviced a farm-labor housing and it was funded by the
government and 14% grade was the maximum grade that you could have. And so barely on this
property was it possible to put a road in connecting to the Belt Highway. But it couldnt achieve
the 14% grade and service the farm below. So the Highway department was accommodating to
the point that they waived their rules of perpendicular access to the highway. And we were able
to build a road as it went down to extend it so that we could actually achieve a 14% grade. And
this was just barely possible. And as a consequence of that experience I realize that the State
HighwayDepartmentarealittlebitpragmaticinthefactthattheydliketodealwithreal
situations and they are sometimes accommodating. And above that is a map showing the
highway at that section so you can see that there is some latitude for highway development. And
then this big map is just to indicate that were really involved in the middle of an area. Very
large chunks of land that are owned by the State and the Federal government and large private
owners and the need for regional planning of that area is probably a prime opportunity for us all
to do something right because you have such great raw materials to work with in this region.
And we dont have to plan the way were forced to in Kailua or Hilo because its already
established. And so we want to set an example that, fix it up a little higher than what is being
done. This is an expedient for economics. Very (inaudible) aspect is more social and
environmental than economic. So I would hope youd see the virtue of the project and leave us
whatever latitude thats within your powers to do so that we can actually jump through all the
hoops that are going to be necessary. Cause this is going to require dealing with a lot of agencies
that have quite strict requirements. And I think we can overcome some of them if we are
allowed to do that.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Are we at-?
ROLAND:And Id just like to say this other map is- shows all the existing trees and it
shows the formations that are actually buffers in reality themselves. And the whole site was
designed to existing conditions with the hope of not having to disturb the land very much. It had
already been bulldozed in major areas on the first two properties that had been consolidated. The
other one is pretty much natural. And we are building in what is now going to be called you
know, green building and so were trying to do something that doesnt come in where they
bulldoze everything and destroy all the trees. And weve gone through a lot of effort to put these
buildings together in ways that they create natural spaces and a park-like setting. So basically
thats my take on it.
SPRINGER:Thank you for the orientation to your supplemental materials.
Commissioner Graham did I see a question there?
EXHIBIT B
12
GRAHAM:Yeah I had a little follow-up I think for Commissioner Siracusa when she
spoke about the highway. And, I understood what Mr. Roland said a little bit differently than the
way I think she took it. I think he was saying we have the County involved which is us and then
theres the State Department of Transportation, and I think what he was saying is if we the
County feel like its important there not be access to Highway 11 then we could put it in a
condition like what we have here recommended. But what hes saying is if we as the County are
not concerned about that where its only up to the State he would prefer that we dont put it in
our conditions so that in the future whatever they may negotiate with the State doesnt become
problematic because of some conditions we put in. Is that correct?
ROLAND:Thats very correct. Thank you.
GRAHAM:So I think thats the issue we have to feel- look at is, are there real
concerns that we have so that we want to put in our own condition about Highway 11.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioner Graham. Mr. Roland I think we left off at Page
4.Isthereanythingelseyoudliketodirectusto?
ROLAND:WellIthinkyeahthatwasonIthinkpage3.Page4.ExcusemeIm
sorry. Page 4 we get into at the very top a 10-foot planting screen easement abutting the
highway along mauka side of the site. We dont really have much of a problem with that. We
dont want to look at the highway anymore than the highway wants to look at us. But that is the
one place on the property where we will have sweeping coastal (inaudible) and it doesnt exist
anyplace else on the property and we want to be able to take advantage of that as well.
YUEN:Im sorry I didnt hear what you just said.
ROLAND:We would like to take advantage as well.
YUEN:The sentence before that.
ROLAND:We dont have any objection to a 10-foot screen along the highway but we
would, were a little apprehensive about the commercial zoning requirements that would be
required for landscaping because we want to really do a regional landscape that would be the
development of whats appropriate in the woodland aspect and enhance that. And, the way the
land is laid out and some of the pallings that are just beyond it actually mitigate a lot of the
problems that you would normally be concerned with. And, the property thats to the west is
currently on the market and being offered for sale. And we dont know who is going in there.
We might want to be more buffered from them than they would want to be buffered from us.
But were country people in the sense that we do work well with neighbors and we are
community oriented and we have a resource capability of planting to resolve problems with
neighbors. And if we have to offer trees or plants to neighbors to help screen things better and if
they are willing to do that we would certainly be willing to do that also. So again were asking
rather than you impose what would normally be required in a developed area if you look at this
more like a place that hasnt been developed yet that we could do a naturalistic landscaping job
EXHIBIT B
13
that would be far superior than the textbooks and the regulation requirements. Again thats
asking for more than most peopleprobably would ask.
SPRINGER:Please proceed.
ROLAND:Okay. Then the next paragraph after that theres about water. Drinking
water and I guess maybe in our application it wasnt fully clear. Were going to be offering
bottled water in situations where thats appropriate. And well also be using hauled potable
water that would be also in contained and enclosed in properly lined structures. And, were also
hoping to fully utilize the rain water and new technologies are just right around the corner where
processing of this water might be acceptable to the Health Department. So, I dont see any real
problem with it but I just think that we wont be getting into a situation nonetheless where we
have to have a private water system. Well just be hauling water like everybody else does. And
I guess when we get further down on the- down toward the bottom, D is a long paragraph but
towardthebottomofthatparagraph.Therehasbeenseveralplacesapprovedinthatareafor
light industrial use and when the Southcoast Bar and Grill was there it (inaudible) as a possibility
someday. And we really put in light industrial to be inclusive to the whole community where
people would want to have a small shop if they were environmentally compatible and fit in with
the program and situation. Basically they would be artisans or craftsman or people building and
making things with recycled products and sculpting and carving and multiple things. Theres a
stain glass person that wants to be in there. Then as long as he doesnt use lead and then some
other means of the stain glass that sort of would qualify them you know in our minds. So were
thinking not as a heavy industrial thing, there must be someway of qualifying that so that we still
are able to perform that capacity to the community because theres a lot of people there that
cannot afford large spaces. For instance they would normally be emended (phonetic) once
people build industrial buildings. We would like to provide something that (inaudible) benefit
the communitys needs, which is small spaces.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Siracusa?
SIRACUSA:Yeah, it seems that youre addressing the comments in the
recommendations thats sort of the discussion that leads up to the conditions rather than the
conditions in themselves. So Id like out to you that youre going about it backwards.
ROLAND:Am I? Oh, Im sorry.
SIRACUSA:Yes. Furthermore, second of all its very hard to hear what youre saying.
I started out very much in support of this proposal after I had read it. And the more you talk the
less in favor I am. And part of it is because I cant understand what youre saying.
ROLAND:Im sorry-.
SIRACUSA:And, so maybe you should stop while youre ahead.
ROLAND:Thank you. Thank you for that I appreciate that.
EXHIBIT B
14
SPRINGER:So sir would you care to then go through the conditions?
ROLAND:I think we better with that.
GOLDING, G.:I think youre holding it too close.
SIRACUSA:Im sorry for being outright but I felt I really owed it to you to level with
you about how you were coming across.
ROLAND:Thank you very much. I appreciate it. I dont know whats wrong with
this microphone. Its probably me but I cant find it. Yeah I think were starting on page 8 are
we?
SPRINGER:Thats correct. Thats where the conditions begin.
ROLAND:One, two and three we are total agreement with. When we get to 4?
GOLDING, G.:Hold it back.
ROLAND:When we get to 4 can you hear me there? 4? Right there I think okay.
Thestructureshallbelimitedinsizetothesquarefootage.BuildingSshallbenolargerthan
5,000 square feet. We were requesting 4200 square feet and we hope to scale it down in the
refinement process of actually doing the plans. So we have ourselves covered and we dont
anticipate needing more square footage. And the same thing is true of Building M and Building
L1. Weve made sure that we asked for enough so we wouldnt have a problem when we got to
the plans of actual construction. And all, theres some room for refinement and improvement
and some-.
SPRINGER:So sir, do you have any amendments that you are asking for to Condition
number 4?
ROLAND:Im just going to make the point that hes offering us almost 3,000 square
feet more than were asking on those 3 buildings and we would certainly like to have it in
another building, one of the buildings that he has recommended not approving.
SPRINGER:Do you want to respond at this time Director Yuen?
YUEN:I guess I didnt understand the very last sentence that you said again.
ROLAND:Okay, Im sorry I think its the microphone? I dont know- cause Im-.
SPRINGER:Sir it may not be the volume it may be the diction if-.
ROLAND:Oh its the level? Is this better? Okay?
SPRINGER:I think its the formation of the words.
EXHIBIT B
15
ROLAND:Okay, thank you.
SPRINGER:If you could speak more clearly.
ROLAND:Okay. The 3 buildings that he is approving or recommending approval
for. He is upping the square footage on each one of them to be accommodating I presume and it
amounts to almost 3,000 square feet more than we will need and at the same time we are not
being afforded the other buildings that we would like. So we would just like to point out the fact
wed rather have another building than being allowed to have more square footage in the three
that you are recommending.
SPRINGER:Director Yuen?
YUEN:Yes,wedidincreasethesquarefootageslightly.Whatwefindisthatvery
often peoples plans change and we do want to have a limit but the- we felt we would be
comfortable with slightly larger buildings in case the plans did change. On the question of the
additional buildings that gets really to the phasing of the project, putting aside the camping
question the question of additional-. You have another area for the same types of uses but in a
different portion of the property and that was supposed to be a later phase. Our concern about
the project is we see a project thats presented a certain way and there is a certain vision behind
the project. Were quite happy at supporting that. We see a project that is providing work spaces
for people in the Ocean View community to do- and we dont want to simply, we dont want to
characterize it only as arts and crafts. We havent done that but its with that kind of a focus. On
the other hand we are not supporting this as an area for a general light industrial building where
you could have say, it could become self storage spaces, baseyards for contractors and the like.
And the reason were not supporting it for that is that we have an area now in the General Plan
for commercial and light industrial uses in Ocean View and this is outside that area. But we see
a unique project that is being presented that has a lot of merit and so were supporting- we are
supporting that but we dont- we would like to see that project show itself that thats the way its
going and then apply for an additional phase. If the project develops as its been presented and it
is a thriving area of workshops for craftspeople in the Ocean View area I would have no problem
with approving a second phase of more of the same. But we would rather not do that right now.
So thats the reason for having the square footage bigger than you even asked for, for the first
phase, but not approving the second phase of the light industrial or crafts oriented workshop
spaces that is in the phasing of the plan.
ROLAND:Well weve been so hard pressed to demonstrate that were doing arts and
crafts if we dont provide some space for that you know. We can do some of it outdoors but it
seems like some structure that allows some qualified aspect that doesnt get confused as light
industrial in the usual sense would really benefit the community.
SPRINGER:Mr. Golding do you have some comments to make at this time?
GOLDING, G.:Yes I think on the part that was approved there was a little
misunderstanding as to the store. Were not proposing a- the gallery is for local artists to display
EXHIBIT B
16
their artwork. Its not for- and the store, the retail store was for recyclable goods that the
community desperately needs such as refrigerators, furniture, more or less household items for
the community. It wasnt a artsy crafts place more or less and that seemed to have been left off
in the first section that was approved. And so the whole concept of it was a store for the
community and a place for the local artists to display their arts and crafts. And also with the
gathering area that we have it would be an ideal place for disaster area. Wed have the second
hand; I mean not second hand but the well the recyclable items for the community in case they
needed them. So thats our main goal was to, to get the store with the gallery for the community
was our first step. And the rest was also for the community but not necessarily just arts and
crafts type items. It would be a rental item, rental stores also; office space and stuff like that. I
didnt know if that was misunderstood. (long pause) I just thought were losing the whole
concept of our idea for the community here its-.
SIRACUSA:Excuse me?
SPRINGER:Commissioner Siracusa?
SIRACUSA:So youre saying that the store youre talking about was Building S?
GOLDING, G.:Yes.
SIRACUSA:Okay. Would you- we have condition number 6 which says no commercial
retail stores permitted other than the sale of items produced on the premises. But youre talking
about used furniture things like that; those are not produced on the premises.
GOLDING, G.:Right.
SIRACUSA:Would you care to suggest an alternative wording to condition number 6?
GOLDING, G.:Well, I think our wording was correct-
SIRACUSA:That we could consider?
GOLDING, G.:- in our presentation our wording was correct.
SPRINGER:Can you direct us to that please in your application?
DARROW:Page 11 at the top of the page of the applicants application.
SPRINGER:Specifics of the request section B?
DARROW:In regards to this request.
SPRINGER:Is that?
DARROW:Correct. Specifics of request first paragraph.
EXHIBIT B
17
SIRACUSA:Is that page 1?
ROLAND:I think-
DARROW:Eleven.
ROLAND:Its item B.
SIRACUSA:Okay. Ah! Oh okay yeah I see it, applicants want to open a recycled
furniture store selling eclectic collectibles and functional household necessities. And that would
be Building S, which according to the Directors recommendation is recommended for approval.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Watanabe?
SIRACUSA:So Im wondering if we should be changing condition number 6 to
coincideandreflectthat?
SPRINGER:CommissionerWatanabe?
WATANABE:MyquestionwouldbefortheDirector.Isuspectyouputonlyasaleof
goods produced on the property because of a concern for the scale of the operation is- am I right
in that? And my follow up to that would be if that was the case then could we limit the retail
space instead and still control scale?
SPRINGER:Perhaps lets take a 5-minute recess while the Director has a chance to
read through the application and reconcile any language in the application with the
recommendation that needs to be made.
RECESSED:The Chair called for a recess at 11:00 a.m.
RECONVENED:The meeting reconvened at 11:05 a.m.
SPRINGER:Id like to call this meeting of the Hawaii County Planning Commission
back to order and just to do a time check for us. Were now at 11:05. I have to leave the
meeting at 12:00 so that gives us a full 55 minutes to continue on with our discussion. Mr.
Torigoe is now checking through the rules to see if we do have any alternatives to Chairmanship
should I leave in that were lacking our Chair and our second Vice-Chair at this particular
meeting. So Mr. Torigoe is looking through the rules to see if we have any guidance in this
situation in the rules and in the meanwhile if we could begin our- resume our discussion and try
to make the most of this 55 minutes before us. Mr. Roland we were going through the
conditions. Perhaps during the break you had a chance to scan the conditions and if there are any
that you would like to make specific recommendations to us on or amendments to that would
help expedite our discussion at this time.
EXHIBIT B
18
ROLAND:Yes and I think Ill let Gary continue cause my voice is, somethings
wrong with it, its like a big frog in it or something. But anyway, were at 10. They would like
to address 10 and then maybe 11 lightly and I think that might be it. Were open to anything that
anybody else would like to ask.
SPRINGER:Okay and following your turn at discussion the Planning Director will then
take up the issues that youve raised. Please proceed Mr. Golding.
GOLDING, G.:Okay. Actually Im on Number 6 with the no commercial retail store is
permitted other than the sale of items produced on the premises and thats what I turned over to-.
Number 10 refers to the hours of operation. And, currently it is from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
And, we were asking to amend that since we do have a bar permitted next door. As I understand
it that the bar is still, the permit is still active for the bar, restaurant and real estate office directly
next door. Limiting us to 7, uh 6:00 p.m. would also limit us due to the area were located in.
MostpeopleinOceanViewdontevengethometillprobablyabout5.Sowedhave1hourat
night to put on meetings or such. So, wed like that looked at.
SPRINGER:Do you have a specific suggestion?
GOLDING, G.:Well we were, wed like to have 9:30. I think the neighborhood noise is
up until 10. That would give us time to evacuate the property and in the timely hour.
SIRACUSA:Question.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Siracusa?
SIRACUSA:Yeah, so youre saying that for example if a group has a meeting there that
it would want to- you would want to go on after 6. But would you consider that a business
activity or an administrative activity?
GOLDING, G.:Neither. It would be for the public.
SIRACUSA:You might want to switch what these categories are. Business activities
means what youre doing in the office for example you know all your paperwork and stuff like
that. Or maybe that would be the administrative activities I cant imagine you staying open that
late in the office to work on-. So you might want to switch those around.
GOLDING, G.:See I think what Mr. Roland-
SIRACUSA:Or add in to business activities and meetings and public meetings and
make that go on till 9:30. So, you could make a recommendation for specific changes like that
and we could put them in and then vote them in as part of the, as part of the approval process.
GOLDING, G.:I think some of the problem were having here is the fact that this paper
was interpretation of what we wrote. And what we wrote on our original presentation is not
whats represented here correctly.
EXHIBIT B
19
SIRACUSA:Yeah, I can see that where it says in 10, no public activities that would be
meetings for example shall be conducted between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. I dont
understand what the reasoning is for that. Usually when groups have meetings they have them in
the evening after people have come home from work and had dinner and then they go out to their
public meetings.
SPRINGER:I think what the Planning Director asked to do-
SIRACUSA:Yes.
SPRINGER:Was to go through the entire.
SIRACUSA:I would like the Planning Director to, if he had some specific ideas in
mindwhenheputthatin.
SPRINGER:Okay.Mr.YuenonNumber10?
YUEN:Whydontwegothrougheverythingandfinishtheirlistofconcernsand
then we can go through them one by one.
SPRINGER:Mr. Golding.
GOLDING, G.:So we would like to have the people be able to have their meetings up
until 9:30 at night.
SPRINGER:Proceed.
IWASHITA:Do you want your store open, Im sorry.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Iwashita?
IWASHITA:Thank you. Do you want your store to be able to be open till 9:30 at
night?
GOLDING, G.:No, the store would be open till 6:00.
IWASHITA:Thank you.
ROLAND:The gallery might be open till 9:30.
GOLDING, G.:On occasion we might have the gallery open till 6:00 but that wouldnt-
ROLAND:Itd be 9:30.
EXHIBIT B
20
GOLDING, G.:I mean 9:30. The store will be split between a store and a gallery. So the
gallery could be open a little later if possible.
SPRINGER:So well be coming back to a specific discussion of 10. It sounds like
theres still some, some refinement to be made there.
GOLDING, G.:Right.
SPRINGER:Shall we continue on?
GOLDING, G.:Okay.
SPRINGER:At Number 11, wed, Commissioner Siracusa recommended language to
the effect of limiting not prohibiting the use of electronic amplification. So is that acceptable?
Maywegoonto12?
GOLDING,G.:Well,nowedohaveanoutdoorgatheringareaiswhatweweremainly
talking about is classes outdoors, hula, cultural events outdoors in our gathering area, which is
just directly in front of that. That space right there would be the gathering area for people to
gather and watch cultural events at that time. And we were requesting amplification at that time
since were outdoors.
SPRINGER:But I think that the recommendation to limit rather than prohibit
amplification is germane whether its indoors or outdoors.
GOLDING, G.:Okay.
SPRINGER:And there may be ways to monitor decibel levels.
GOLDING, G.:Right.
SPRINGER:And the Director will be coming back to each of these conditions in his
response to you.
GOLDING, G.:I think weve covered it all now. Thank you.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Mr. Yuen?
YUEN:Im sticking with my recommendation with respect to the later the second
phase. I cant remember what the phases are but the second aspect of the workshop spaces and
the overnight camping. On, starting with then number 5, Im willing to add a, this is a
landscaping, Im willing to add, recommend adding a condition that says at the very end of that
that the, in the alternative the applicant shall submit a master landscaping plan for approval by
the Planning Director prior to construction of any of the improvements.
GOLDING, G.:We would agree to that.
EXHIBIT B
21
YUEN:And the reason for this- the landscaping, the Rule 17 landscaping relies on
either you planting, youre doing a lot of planting or existing woodlands. In this- this is an area
thats rather sparsely vegetated as a normal, the normal situation there and it might not- to do
heavy landscaping. We did want to see some screening from the adjacent property but to do
heavy landscaping might seem out of place in the overall character of the area. So this would
introduce some flexibility to that. For Number 6 - I would say we dont want this to be a wide
open retail situation and its a little difficult to understand exactly what the scope is because
theres some statements that are very general in the application and then some statements that are
very specific. So, what Id be willing to recommend is that at the- we would say no commercial
retail store is permitted other than the sale of items produced on the premises, and this next part
is to accommodate what the applicant had represented in their application, sale of second hand
furniture, second hand household goods and collectibles as represented in the application. And
this is also as you represented here. In other words you cant open up a furniture store you can
sellsecondhandfurniture.Youtalkedaboutrecyclingwashingmachinesyoucantopena
washing, you cant open up a store that sells washing machines or new television sets or the like
but you can open a store that sells second hand items under this. And I would say for the gallery
if Im understanding you correctly you dont want it limited to items produced on the premises
but for- you would- it would be arts and crafts produced in the Kau District? Thats fine youre
saying?
GOLDING, G.:Yes
YUEN:All right so that would be the final clause, arts and crafts produced in the
Kau District. I will not budge on our recommendation on number 9, no access to the Hawaii
Belt Road. What I find sometimes is that the government agencies get played off against each
other. Like the- somebody will, if we dont, if we say its okay with us then the applicant will go
to the DOT and say well its okay with the County why is it not okay with you. If the DOT says
its okay with them people will come to us and say the DOT lets us have access why isnt it
okay with you? We do want to limit access on Highway 11 to the existing intersections. As
businesses may develop in Ocean View were just going to repeat a problem that we have
elsewhere on the island if we have numerous points of access. Now if things change in the
future its true that you can come back to the Planning Commission and ask for an amendment of
this. But I, whether the Department of Transportation for whatever reason does not want to limit
access, will let you have access I think from our point of view we the Planning Department
would say we want to limit access. Number 10, I would say the hours of operation should be
limited between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and for business activities. The public Im not clear on what
kinds of public events were talking about. Thats the issue.
GOLDING, G.:We have actually no places to meet for- currently the Chamber of
Commerce meets in a restaurant to discuss their- to have their monthly meetings. The Protea
club meets in a church. It goes on like that all these little clubs have no place to meet. We do
have a community center but its politically controlled in some ways where they dont let all
groups come and whatever. So-
YUEN:Youre talking about indoor meetings?
EXHIBIT B
22
GOLDING, G.:Indoor meetings yes.
YUEN:Youre talking about an indoor meeting area. Then I would say 10-p.m.
limit for indoor meetings would be reasonable time.
GOLDING, G.:Well, I was referring to outdoor meetings also in our gathering area.
YUEN:Then it becomes more of a noise question.
GOLDING, G.:Yes it would be. Can I point out to you the area?
YUEN:All right go ahead.
GOLDING,G.:Whatwehaverighthereisacommercialkitchenwithadeckanda
landing that surrounds it. This is all a natural amphitheater type area in here. If this was lawn
people could sit on the lawn and enjoy whatever entertainment or whatever activity is going on-
on the deck. Also this deck could be an area for the meetings outdoor during the day. Theyre
usually held during a- around noontime, lunchtime and at the restaurant they supply food. With
a catering kitchen they could supply food or make their own food in the catering kitchen and
items like that. So, mainly this area here is a natural gathering area and what weve seen is
generally the winds blow from this direction out over the highway.
YUEN:Let me, let me just so the record, this will help our transcript on this.
What youre describing is winds blowing from mauka over the highway. And youre describing
the gathering area as being along the Moana Avenue side of the property no?
GOLDING, G.:Actually its right in the middle.
YUEN:Its in the middle of the property. All right.
GOLDING, G.:These are the 2 streets right here. Moanas right here and the highways
right here and the gathering area is right here and its down in a puka.
YUEN:But you have a neighbor to the immediate property line of that?
GOLDING, G.:I have a neighbor right here, which is mauka of Moana. And I have a
neighbor right here, which is a, I guess this would be south and I-
YUEN:And what do you- you have a vacant lot next to this gathering area?
GOLDING, G.:I have, from here, I have approximately 5 lots vacant. Theres no other
lots, I mean theyre all vacant along the highway.
YUEN:Well but I- you have to understand that we also have to consider the rights
of people that move to vacant lots.
EXHIBIT B
23
GOLDING, G.:Right I understand yeah.
YUEN:And even its a vacant lot now we cant sit here and say well its just a
vacant lot so we dont have to worry about the people there.
GOLDING, G.:Oh, no. I understand that yeah.
YUEN:Okay go ahead.
GOLDING, G.:Right here is where the bar was and I dont know if the permit is still in-
valid or not but theres right here this is a driveway to the highway. There was a bar, restaurant
and real estate office here at one- the real estate office wasnt there it was proposed but the bar
burned down and its currently for sale. As I understand it the bar is-. The special permit is still
in,activeforthem,whoeverbuysthatproperty.Thatsthewaytheyrepresentingitonthe
market anyway. And my point was with the winds that they blow this way just the sound carries
kind of this way. I dont know if that matters.
YUEN:Okay. Im comfortable with a 10:00 time limit for public events not
exceeding once a week because we want to put some kind of limit to the scale here. And all
these things are subject to amendment. If it turns out that some day your neighbors are fine with
you having more events and its something the community wants we- this can be amended at a
point in the future. But as far as my recommendation, that would be my recommendation on a
time and the frequency of events. And then well cover the noise aspect in the next paragraph.
Rather than prohibiting amplification devices well say noise levels shall not exceed 55 dba days
and 45 dba nights at the property line. This is the general noise standard in a residential district
and we have used this a few times for special permits. If you want an idea 55 dba would be a
fairly audible hum, like a hummm, that would be about 55; 45 is pretty quiet. So, that would be,
so you would hold to that whether its the hula chanters voice or an amplified sound. Its, if you
get complaints then naturally the inclination is going to be that youre probably exceeding it. So,
but lets put that in. That would be my suggestion on the noise rather than an outright ban on
amplification.
SPRINGER:Mr. Yuen clarification on the hours that constitute daytime and nighttime.
Daylight hours or time on the clock?
YUEN:Well, day I would say is dawn, sunrise to sunset and rather because it
changes you know by season-. For number 11, I would say day is sunrise to sunset and night is
after sun- sunset to sunrise.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Commissioners we have been discussing amendments to
condition 6, 10 and 11. Sorry Conditions 5, 6, 10 and 11. Is there any discussion on those
recommended amendments? Commissioner Iwashita?
IWASHITA:I just want to make it- find out and make it clear on the record whether the
applicant agrees with those amendments as discussed by the Director?
EXHIBIT B
24
GOLDING, G.:Oh I think those were very good. Thank you. I just had one other thing
though that wasnt on this list was- we had 2 other buildings on our project A & B and I think
they were denied. And we didnt discuss those.
YUEN:We continue to recommend denial of A & B at the present time. Theyre
similar to what you have on your first phase and our recommendation is lets see how the first
phase goes before you come back with the additional buildings.
IWASHITA:Madame Chair? Madame Chair?
SPRINGER:Mr. Darrow?
IWASHITA:No its me.
SPRINGER:No, Im sorry. Mr. Iwashita?
IWASHITA:Im glad my voice sounds that tall. I just wanted clarification on L3 the
restroomandthatareafromtheapplicant.EarlierIguessthediscussionwasthatifthose
facilities were intended to benefit the property other than or other than the camping. If it was
intended to benefit or be used by those on the property other than the campers I wanted to clarify
that. Or was that L3 intended basically, primarily or solely for the campers on L2?
GOLDING, G.:That was solely for the campers.
IWASHITA:Okay. I guess one other follow-up on?
SPRINGER:Proceed.
IWASHITA:-the discussion on A & B. I just wanted to get your under- try to clarify if
you understand basically that the concern about A & B and those proposed uses was that its in
my mind rather speculative at this time. Youre not really planning to do it in the foreseeable
future, its something projected or intended down the road after you do the initial phase 1. So
that from the Commissions perspective and Departments perspective its well when youre
ready to do that come back and see us then. And, whether or not thats, you understood that and
if you did whether thats an acceptable procedure or a procedure you would accept?
GOLDING, G.:Whats interesting about that is that we went to the Planning Department
and they wanted it all at once and thats why this project was expanded another year to get it all
inclusive. And now its turned out to where we should come back and present it in sections so
its a little confusing to me. And we can agree to, we have agreed to everything because thats
what we want is mainly to start off with our second-hand store and our gallery for the people and
the gathering area. I think.
GOLDING, C.:Id like to say something.
EXHIBIT B
25
GOLDING, G.:My wife would like to say something.
GOLDING, C.:Its just on A & B. We have the gathering area that the community can
use for meeting and in order to make this an inexpensive type of gathering area were willing to
put up the buildings. Were willing to landscape the land, make the grass, everything but we
would like it to be sustainable. Wed like those 2 buildings for the community to make
something in those buildings. Their own businesses, their own opportunity to do something.
Building S was our opportunity to be a mom and pop store thats what we want to do. The
gallery is for local artists; those are other people other than us. But A & B is for the community
thats why we planned around buildings that could be used in a couple of different ways cause
we dont know exactly which people. Weve been approached by 15 or 20 people that do things
in their home and sell it but that was the idea for A & B to make, where they could legally come
down and start their own thing. And so if we leave out A & B were getting our store, well get
our lodge but what about the people that all supported us over 150, 200 people? So I have a little
bitofaproblemtosayA&B,wellforgetA&B.Thatisreallyimportanttothecommunity.
SPRINGER:CommissionerIwashita?
IWASHITA:ThankyouMadameChair.SowhatImunderstanding,orwhatIheardis
that A & B were intended by you to be the public meeting places as well as-
GOLDING, C.:No.
IWASHITA:No.
GOLDING, C.:The public meeting places would be either in the outside area even the art
gallery type of area in the store. But A & B would be places where people could make their own
business say somebody who makes little Hawaiian jewelry you know carves fish hooks or
something. They can carve them at home but where are they going to sell them? You know
where are they going to get exposure? Where can they rent a small space to start their own
business?
IWASHITA:So, what I am hearing now is that A & B is not something really out in the
future its something that you have had, sounds like lots of expression of interest from many
people in the area to rent little spaces where they can make and sell their crafts.
GOLDING, C.:Start their own thing. We dont want to control everything we want an
opportunity for other people to do their own thing. As far as in the future phase 1 is the store
which we are really behind and were really ready and thats us. Future it could be-
IWASHITA:Can you give me an idea then of the types of crafts or products, sort of the
range of what people have told you they wanted to do?
GOLDING, C.:Well some people carve fishhooks and make Hawaiian jewelry. There
was a stained glass person that makes stained glass, sells it at the swap meet, we have a little
swap meet. There was somebody who wanted a little section to do a dance studio, dying to teach
EXHIBIT B
26
some people dance in the area but there isnt a structure. So these type of things you know just
their homemade things. Thats I think why the light industrial came into actually making
something. If it were just plain commercial they wouldnt make anything, they would just sell
something.
IWASHITA:So, I guess a concern expressed earlier and obviously you know our
zoning kind of laws are very broad. And so you know the concern is if we just say light
industrial then you can do everything thats the 20 or 30 kind of really broad things you can do in
there. Special permit process allows us to limit the types of activities so if we were to consider
allowing A & B to go through then we would in my mind be limiting to the kinds of activities
that youve described in your application and today. That would be acceptable and not use a
broad light industrial kind of designation.
GOLDING, C.:I would think wed be willing to work on what the individual- what you
wouldallowtheindividualusesfor.Butwithoutthebuildingwithoutanokaythatyoucanmake
the building we cant make anything.
IWASHITA:No, no I-
GOLDING, C.:Okay, I dont understand that part.
IWASHITA:What Im suggesting is- it is my impression that this was out in the future
right? But youre saying that theres a need now, that you want to address a present need right?
And so Im, what Im talking about is the Commission adding another- you know the approval of
A & B but limiting the uses.
GOLDING, C.:Um, hm. Okay.
IWASHITA:To what youve described in the application.
GOLDING, C.:Yes, cause thats the point of making the buildings yes.
IWASHITA:Okay. Thank you.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Siracusa?
SIRACUSA:Yes, as we know from the DLNR application there are a lot of uses that
are considered exempted in a mixed-industrial area that we wouldnt want to see. And, I get the
feeling that you wouldnt want to see it there either. At the same time we understand that you
need to make some money to cover the cost of this project. So you need to have some spaces to
rent out. When I was reading your application I was especially excited about the idea that you
wanted to provide office space to priority to non-profits for office space at a reduced rate.
Because as President of a non-profit and being on the Boards of many others I know how hard
that is to come by. And if you come by it you have to, usually you cant afford it. So I like that
about it, I like the idea of providing meeting spaces for community groups. Is this the sort of
thing that buildings A, B and C were supposed to- or A & B specifically supposed to provide?
EXHIBIT B
27
GOLDING, G.:Yes that was our plan. And like my wife pointed out without A & B itd
seem like, cause weve been promoting this for maybe a year and a half, itd seem like what we
got our second hand store but the people in the community didnt get their stores that theyve
been looking for. Because there is really a limited amount of stores currently in that area.
SIRACUSA:Yeah, so basically what Im trying to get at is that if those particular uses
that I just mentioned that I liked would be- were planned for buildings A & B?
GOLDING, C.:Yes.
SIRACUSA:Thats correct. In that case I would you know want to poll the other
Commissioners about how they would feel about approving A & B and limiting some of the uses
that we were talking about that would normally be exempt in a mixed-industrial.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Watanabe if I may before I call on you ask the Director
whathisopinionisgiventhedirectionthatthediscussionisgoingnowtoapproveofA&B.
YUEN:Wellthisisasimilardiscussionwehadin-houseandtheproblemiswe
dont want-. We were hearing, we hear an application that is- that starts off being very generic,
light industrial and office space, which could be just about anything which we are not in favor of.
And then, then it starts to, then the application goes into something that is extremely specific and
it says, Building A is a single story with a rising roof containing flexible office and shop bay
rental spaces for professional and scientific programs and available for crafts or field workshops
or projects in this district relating, related to archaeology, biology, seed bank collection, cultural
in-depth historical research and providing for a computer use facility. Then it goes on to say
that service organizations and some non-profits will be preferentially accommodated with a
reduced rent subsidy which all other independent businesses would be on a first-come basis for
remaining available space. As I said we are not supporting this for a general-purpose office
commercial and light-industrial space. And at the same time I dont want to approve a, rental
spaces for professional and scientific programs and available for crafts. You get, then you get
into this- its, first, its really not going to work for them because people are going to come to
you who are not necessarily fit within this definition and youre going to be in the position of
having to turn them away. Or the Planning Department is going to have to watch and see exactly
who is doing what. This is- theres another example of this in actually Pahui Plaza, the Ocean
View was where they have a business area. And the unfortunate thing there is that it was written
up with specific uses and so every time a business wants to come in with a different use it either
doesnt fit or you have to amend the permit. Now that one is a location where we would say
now, any office type use, okay go ahead do it what do we care I mean. But the problem is that it
was written for a real estate office, a this and a that and so you, anybody else that wants to do a
different kind of office it just doesnt fit the special permit. So, we- having the difficulty we had
in nailing this down we just said defer this part of the application. Now, if we were to say-.
Well if we were to talk about doing this is Building M, I would be more comfortable about doing
this. And, because of this, again this scale issue.
EXHIBIT B
28
SIRACUSA:I have another thought then which might be germane to your comments
and your concerns and that is I havent seen anything in what Ive read that referred to really
light industrial usage. What if the light industrial part was taken out? How would everything
else then fall into line? You certainly wouldnt have to worry about-
YUEN:Well the Special Permit request you see the page 1 at the top says Special
Permit Request, proposal for mixed use allowing commercial and light industrial in combination
with residential and agricultural facilities for establishing wholesale, retail outlets and office
rental space and it goes on and on. But the difference here is we think, we agree with the
applicant that there is a need for generic office and workshop and in fact light industrial areas in
Ocean View. We just dont feel that you should be scattered throughout the community on a
Special Permit basis. We are comfortable with a very specific application for certain types of
uses here but not something that is completely wide open. So on the one hand the application as
I said starts off very broad and then the descriptive portions become overly specific, I mean
unrealisticallyspecific.
SPRINGER:Sothatsa-maybealanguagequestionwhichwithsomeguidancethe
applicants could tailor their narrative section to the needs that youve described Mr. Yuen is that
correct?
YUEN:I would be okay with saying that we could approve Building M for
commercial kitchen and workshop space and then they have, we have a 5,000 square foot limit
for Building M, Im sorry?
SPRINGER:Thank you.
YUEN:And just leave it at workshop space, workshop and office spaces and then
let it go at that and see how this project develops in the future as to whether we would support an
expansion of it.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Before we hear from the applicant a couple of the
Commissioners have questions, Commissioner Watanabe and Commissioner Salavea.
Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:Yeah just for clarification you know in your recommendation I think we
left out Building L3 as being denied, we want to insert that?
YUEN:L3 from what the applicant said is directly part of the commercial camping
operation which we are recommending denial so we would also recommend denial of L3.
WATANABE:Yeah but in the write up its not.
SIRACUSA:It doesnt say.
DARROW:Commissioner Watanabe were going to add-
EXHIBIT B
29
WATANABE:L3 to that?
DARROW:The question remained whether or not L3 was accessory to the remainder
of the facility or specifically for the campground.
WATANABE:Uh huh.
DARROW:Now that were sure its specific to the campground well add it.
WATANABE:Insert L3 right after L2.
DARROW:Correct.
WATANABE:Okay.
DARROW:Thank you.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Commissioner Salavea?
SALAVEA:Thank you Madame Chair. Im in support of the concept of the project. I
thinkitsveryusefulandneededbythecommunityespeciallytheideaaboutproviding
community meeting space and also areas for I guess small entrepreneurs that type of activities. I
do however have a problem of approving I guess the number and size of the buildings only
because of my concerns for their uses. In the write up the Director pointed out in my opinion
and how I feel its so broad based that it could in the future and Im not saying that this would
happen. But I- as one of my responsibilities I have to think of the what ifs and the possibilities
of what could happen. And with such broad uses available for those buildings possibly a bidding
war for the space. I mean its intended to provide community access but as we know premium
space, demand, supply and demand can sometimes become a driving force on who gets to use the
space so thats my concern and excuse me this question would be more for Director Yuen. I was
thinking in future terms if this property was to ever be conveyed or transferred from the current
owners to someone else would the buildings that were or I guess the buildings and their uses
approved through Special Permit be applicable? So that we can be, the Commission can be
assured that say if we did approve just for argument purposes Buildings A, B that they wont-
they wouldnt be converted by the next owner into say something more industrial or so a higher
use.
YUEN:Well the permit and the conditions run with the land. So its important
that we put what we want in the conditions because otherwise its like that saying that good
fences make good neighbors, good conditions make for good enforcement because the more
clearer that it is the easier it is for both sides to understand and to enforce.
SALAVEA:Thank you. And thats where my concern arises because of the language
that the application is written in it is such a broad spectrum of uses that basically to me it looks
you know almost anything under the sun can be brought in and qualify for- to use the space.
And so, we want to- and that presents a problem for the County and the Planning Department
EXHIBIT B
30
because then now its about enforcement and that the Planning Department has to be on top of
watching what does go on and I dont think we want to dedicate our resources in that way. So
the better that we tie it up as Commissioner Graham had mentioned earlier the more at ease the
Commission would feel about the project. And I think working together with you folks we can
come to agreement about what the uses will be and then wed be assured that it would be in line-
the uses would be in line into the future along what the community is asking for and what is
applicable or- yeah applicable for the area in terms of use.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioner Salavea. And if I understood the Director
correctly he suggested that there may be some commercial activity that could occur in Building
M and thats where our discussion is up to this point. I need to do a time check and some
housekeeping for the Planning Commissioners. Its now 10 to 12; we have 3 members of the
public who have signed up to give testimony on this matter. Im not sure that the discussion has
been full and is complete. I need to leave at 12 oclock or very shortly thereafter. Mr. Torigoe
hasconsultedwiththerulesandRobertsRulesofOrderandMr.Torigoecouldyouperhapsjust
give us a description of what our alternative may be at this time?
TORIGOE:Thank you Madame Chair. First of all again this is a technically a
contested case although there is no formal contested case. Its technically a contested case
because it is a final decision that you will be making and that can be appealed to court. Under
contested case Rule 4-5, the presiding officer is the Chairperson of the Commission, one of its
members or a hearing officer duly appointed and designated. The rules dont seem to say how
you appoint one of the members. That being the case we would default to Roberts Rules which
states, provides for an appointed Chairman pro tem if the President vacates the Chair during a
meeting and no Vice-President is available he can or she can subject to the approval of the
assembly appoint a temporary chairman who is called a Chairman Pro tempore. So you know
that is I think a procedure that you can use, we wouldnt want to do it all the time but so the
Chairperson I think can appoint someone. Preferably someone who has not spoken, taken a
position on the merits of the application and subject to the consensus approval of the Board.
SPRINGER:Members youve heard the options available to us and that would be to
conclude business when I need to excuse myself or that Chairman pro tem is then appointed. We
may- knowing this it is our pleasure we may continue to conduct business for the next 10
minutes and see if we can arrive at a decision on this matter. If we decide to do that I would
suggest that at 12 oclock we suspend our discussion and then take up the matter of a pro tem
assignment. Is that acceptable to us?
TORIGOE:Madame Chair just also I suggest that if you go ahead with that procedure
that we would check with the applicant and get on record their concurrence with that.
SPRINGER:To the applicant and the colleagues all there at the table youve heard a
description of our situation and the options available to us. Are you- do you have any discomfort
with what weve discussed so far?
GOLDING, G.:No unless it unbalance the vote in any way.
EXHIBIT B
31
SPRINGER:We wont know until the vote.
GOLDING, G.:Okay, were fine with it.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Then if we could continue with our discussion for the next 10
minutes and maybe well get to a good point of conclusion. Mr. Roland?
ROLAND:I would just like to add to this general discussion that Building M is
designed to the features of the land and has a function and it wouldnt be easily accomodate-able
into a functional use for crafts and other meetings and so forth. Maybe we could bridge from
that building to one of the buildings and make it one building and get the square footage or
something. Maybe theres a way of getting around all this and so that particular structure is
(inaudible) one function and it wouldnt suit the other.
SPRINGER:ThankyouMr.Roland.Isthereanyfurtherdiscussiononthismatterthen
from either the Commissioners or the Planning Director? Commissioner McCall?
MCCALL:Yeah notwithstanding Mr. Rolands comments I would be comfortable
with Mr. Yuens idea in gen- as a general thing about perhaps allowing Building M to have
some, some office or meeting place uses. I am generally uncomfortable with approving 2 other
buildings with the idea even if we limited. Im just somewhat worried about the whole scope of
this situation and as Mr. Salavea says what you know notwithstanding what youre ideas are we
cant control what happens 5 or 10 years from now. If these buildings are built and your plans
do not work out while the permit only says they can be used for these things it would be very
difficult and I would not want to put a Commissioner 10 years from now in the position of saying
no you gotta leave those buildings vacant. It would be very- it would be difficult not to approve-
I dont know auto repair facility or whatever in that, in that same position. And you know if you
guys had sold the property there would be no control over it and the permit we give goes with the
property not with the owner. So, Im generally uncomfortable with the full expense of the
situation.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioner McCall. Before I call on you Commissioner
Watanabe I do have a procedural question based on Commissioner McCalls testimony. Denial
of a portion of this application does not preclude subsequent application does it? Or if it does for
what time period?
YUEN:One year, it precludes subsequent application for a year unless there are
substantial change in circumstances.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Commissioner Watanabe and then the applicants.
WATANABE:Yeah, my question is for the applicants. You indicated that Building M is
not suitable but do you have any suggestions from the buildings that are being recommended for
approval? Meaning P1, P2, L1?
EXHIBIT B
32
ROLAND:M is really a very small building. It has a commercial kitchen and
bathroom downstairs which is cut into the side of the bank there and a small managers quarters
above. Its really not a lot of square footage. All the square footage in that building comes from
decks or 2,000 square feet of deck area. And so, the parks spatial aspect would be adversely
affected by trying to put a large building there. But maybe we could tie one of the buildings to it
and accommodate everything and you could qualify it in some way or other. Industrial
requirements we are creating a problem and we didnt foresee that.
SPRINGER:I think that the Commissioners-
WATANABE:My question is yeah-
SPRINGER:Question was different.
WATANABE:Imsorry,myquestionisofthebuildingsthatarebeingrecommendedfor
approval if not M which one would you suggest?
GOLDING, G.:Ill answer that. Building A would be better. Now, does that answer the
question?
SPRINGER:The question regards buildings L1, P1 and P2.
WATANABE:Building A is being denied right?
GOLDING, G.:Oh, none of the other buildings would be suitable no.
WATANABE:None of the others.
GOLDING, G.:And the reason we went with light industrial, commercial is because the
red dot next to us is zoned light industrial commercial and thats what we used as a guide for our
Special Use Permit and thats why were asking. We really didnt want industrial, were more
on a commercial with limitations would be fine with us. But since our neighbor had it and we
are learning the process we went with light industrial commercial.
SPRINGER:Before I call upon you Mr. Iwashita. Mr. Yuen hearing the applicants
understanding and reasons for choosing this particular designation are there other alternatives to
them? A better designation choice?
YUEN:It becomes this definitional thing where you dont- were being. Were
seeing one picture of the jewelry store, the jewelry manufacturer, the photographers gallery, etc.
but we dont have a set descriptive category for that. Its something we have to invent and Im
sitting here trying to invent that because the picture that youre-. If you just say light industrial
or even to some extent you just say workshop you also, you have the body and fender, the auto
painter, the you know a whole range of possible things that people could be doing out of here
that we think theres a place for it but not necessarily scattered throughout every lot in Ocean
View.
EXHIBIT B
33
SPRINGER:Okay Commissioners were right up against 12 oclock. I see a number of
Commissioners would like to speak on this matter it looks like discussion will not conclude in
the next couple of minutes also taking into consideration that we have 3 members of the public
who have signed up to testify on this matter. What is the pleasure of the Commissioners? Are
any of you willing to take the Chairmanship on a temporary basis as a Chairman Pro tem to
conclude this discussion and move onto decision making? Commissioner Graham?
GRAHAM:Im certainly willing to take it on but I did want to indicate that I gotta
leave early today too so. I probably can stay till like 2:15 or something like that.
SPRINGER:Okay. Thank you Commissioner Graham. Commissioners I would like to
then make the appointment of Commissioner Graham. Hes indicated his willingness to serve
until 2:15 this afternoon. Are there any objections?
COMMISSIONERS:No.
SPRINGER:Thank you members. May we take another 5-minute recess while I just
turnmynotesovertotheCommissionerincludingthelistofpublictestifiers?
RECESSED:TheChaircalledforarecessat12:05p.m.
RECONVENED:The meeting reconvened at 12:16 p.m.
GRAHAM:I will call the Planning Commission meeting back to order. We are on the
agenda item of Gary and Crissy Golding for aSpecial Permit in the Kau district. Im William
Graham. Im going to be the temporary Chair ofthis meeting. And I wanted to let you all know
that Im certainly good till about 2:15 and we generally take a lunch break at some point. But a
lunch break would probably put almost an effective end on things so were going to run for a
little while and then if the Commissioners want to do different then Ill welcome hearing from
them.AndwhereCommissionerSpringerleftmeandmyunderstandingisthattherewere2of
our Commissioners here that had comments they wanted to make already pending and after that
Idliketogettothepublictestifierssincetheyvebeenheresolong.Andalwaysasapartofour
procedure after the public has testified the applicants get a chance to come back forward again
and make any responses to what came up in the public testimony. So were going to do that if
thats all right. Okay. Commissioner Watanabe were you pending a comment youd like to
make or a question?
WATANABE:Well I, actually I, how should I put this? I didnt realize we had 3 people
from the public that were willing to testify and I thought maybe we were getting to a point where
we might be able to entertain a motion. On the other hand right about that juncture they
indicated that Building M is not acceptable for the added flexibility the Director had suggested
with regard to the types of commercial activities that could occur there. And, in my mind I kind
of offered them a way out but it doesnt seem like any of the other buildings that are being
proposed are acceptable either for that type of activity or at least not in their minds. And you
know I think maybe we should hear the public testimony from those 3 individuals because they
EXHIBIT B
34
have waited very patiently. On the other hand I think maybe, we may need to defer this cause it
doesnt seem like we can really hit a win-win. I dont know thats just my opinion.
GRAHAM:Thank you. I did have just a few words with the Planning Director in
between and hes been working onhowhe might adjust the conditions, a little bit which may or
may not satisfy the applicant in this regard. But maybe as soon as were finished with the public
testimony he could come forward with that and well see if were close or not.
WATANABE:I appreciate that.
GRAHAM:Commissioner Iwashita?
IWASHITA:Thank you Mr. Chair. I had on this issue of allowing the crafts and those
kind of activities, making of them and selling of them as part of the allowable use within the
buildingsthatweareindicatingweregoingtoapproveandthediscussionthatIguessfromthe
applicants point of view right now as proposed those buildings that we are, that are being
recommended to be approved by the Director do not have sufficient space to meet those uses.
My suggestion would be and Id like to query the applicant as to if we allowed the area of
Building M to be expanded to 7500 square feet, 2500 above the present 5000 square feet, and
then whether that gives you enough square footage to make adjustment in the plans that youre
going to have to submit to the Director for approval to allow for these activities that are being
suggested will amend and allow? Would that be an avenue that sounds acceptable to you?
GRAHAM:Go ahead.
GOLDING, G.:Yes that will be fine. I think I misunderstood the question earlier. That
would be a great solution I believe.
IWASHITA:Thank you.
GRAHAM:All right then I think were at the point, if none of the other
Commissioners has anything to be said we can take the public testimony. So maybe you folks
could back up now and then youll come back afterwards. Theres a swearing in we do on the
public testimony and I need to find my script for how to properly do the swearing in here so-
hold on just a minute please. I think I have it here so. I believe I have Marsha Cavers, Wayne
Stier and David Martinez willing to testify, wanting to testify today. You folks could all come
up to the table right now and share the 2 microphones. And let me swear all 3 of you in at first if
I could. So first, please raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this
matter now before the Hawaii County Planning Commission?
TESTIFIERS:I do.
GRAHAM:Thank you. And as I call each one of you, wed ask you to state your
name and your address, your residence address and then you can proceed with your testimony.
So could I start with you Marcia, Marcia Cavers?
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CAVERS:My name is Marcia Cavers and I live on Catamaran Lane and we use those
numbers so rarely since we dont have any postal service. 92-8608, I think, Catamaran Lane.
And Ive been living in Ocean View almost 9 years and I wanted to just say that I am extremely
excited about this concept being developed by Gary Golding because we are desperate. We have
a dirth (phonetic) of places for anything to happen. I have been with the Garden Club and we
have struggled to find anyplace to gather. One of the places that has been used has been a local
church and theres like 20, 30 groups fighting for time to meet there. We have met in the open
air at our park, which is great for sports, but its lousy for a meeting. And we have not had good
facilities with our Community Center so were hurting for places to gather for our simple clubs.
And Im also a teacher of English as a second language and many times part of that teaching
involves performance so that people can really get a chance to do what theyre learning. And so
I use theatre in a small scale for any age group and we need a place to do this. And theres other
Hawaiian groups too who have now lost the one place that they had to gather to do Hawaiian
performance. So we need places for not only the crafts but other skills to be able to gather.
GRAHAM:First Id like to ask if any of the Commissioners have any questions or
feedbackonyourtestimony?Allright,thankyou.NowwellmovetoWayneStieristhat
correct?
STIER:Its Stier.
GRAHAM:Stier excuse me.
STIER:No problem. My name is Wayne Stier. I live on Catamaran at the same
number and I cannot tell you what it is. But if you- I could ask her if you want me to. I am a
writer and wood carver and an actor. And I have no place to sell my wood but at my garage
basically or I could go down to galleries outside of our community, which would rob the
community of the fact that we have an artist, several artists there but they have no way, no venue
for that. As far as theatres concern I think that the opportunity for writers to have a readers
theatre to have some reading, do a reading in front of people would be great. We could have
bookstores. We could do readings there. As far as a carvers concern I- it seems to me that if
somebody else saw what I was doing and saw how much fun I was having thered be a lot of
people doing some carving. And itd be ashamed to have that wasted. So, we do need the spaces
my wife said. We have the opportunity; we have a lot of people like me. I started a artists group
just informally 3 years ago to just see what we had. And I had 10 people at every meeting and
every meeting 10 different people. So we have a lot of artists that just havent got any place to
meet or any reason to get together. And its non-sustainable for artists unless you have a venue,
non-sustainable for theatre unless you have a venue, for musical groups, non-sustainable. We
cant do it unless we have venues for them to play. And this is the first opportunity Ive seen in
the 9 years that weve lived there for this possibility. I am craving it. I need it very much. I
hope that you approve it. Thank you.
GRAHAM:Thank you Mr. Stier. Any questions from the Commissioners?
Commissioner Iwashita?
IWASHITA:Mr. Spier is it?
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GRAHAM:Stier.
IWASHITA:Stier. Im sorry Mr. Stiers.
STIER:As in bull.
IWASHITA:Thank you. Okay. Which Im sure you are. Thanks for coming today. I
just wanted to ask if you would be one of the intended tenants to do your work in?
STIER:Very possibly. Very possibly. Ive been looking for a gallery and Id
rather do it locally so that other people can get the same energy. It would be wonderful. Yes I
would be.
IWASHITA:AndofthesoundslikedozensofotherartiststhatyouvemetintheOcean
View community you have a sense of how many of them would be particularly interested in
renting these spaces?
STIER:It would be real interesting if we have a critical mass of a group thatcould
run it as a coop situation. I would hope that wed have enough artists to supply a gallery and the
gallery could do it as a professional on profit basis and not have people trying to sell their own
works, worst thing in the world to try to do. So, I would hopefully thered be enough artists to
support a gallery I can tell you that. Whether they would be the people that would be the renters
themselves or the supporter, the suppliers of the gallery that would have to be seen.
IWASHITA:Thank you.
GRAHAM:Commissioner Salavea did you- question?
SALAVEA:Yes. I guess, part of your, the last part of your answer kind of is
modifying what Im thinking and I guess Id like to find out from you what you would see as
being. Or if you had any discussions with the Goldings about what would be a fair charge or
what would be sustainable for artists of your scale to rent out the spaces and if that discussion
had gone on yet and also what would you be able to afford in terms of renting or using, utilizing
that space.
STIER:Im an artist not a merchant and I really cant answer that question. But I
would like to offer this and that is that when peoplethink of Ocean View they dont think of art.
Somebody starts up an art gallery in OceanView, thats not going to make a name for itself
theyre going to say Ocean View art? Somebody built it in the wrong spot. After a while theyll
come, some people stop in there and they see thatthe art is of value. Then another person sees
that and they build another art gallery right next to it. In a matter of 5 or 10 years this could
become an artist center. Were right next to the Volcano National Park now and if were going
to be an entry place it would be nice to have, a place where art and culture could be in there.
Right now it has no place to rest theres just nothing, its not going to happen there. Its going to
go right on by us to Naalehu or like it does now it goes over to Hilo or comes down here. We
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37
th
dont have-. Potentially youre looking at the 4 key metropolitan area in- on this island as far as
I can see. You have Waimea up north and Hilo and Kona. You need something down south and
Ocean View is the most obvious place for it right now. And so this kind of structure would lead
other people to think we dont have to put up tin houses now. We dont have to think of
rd
ourselves as a 3 world country in the Wild West. We can start putting up beautiful buildings
and aim at culture. We have to build it ourselves. We dont have any community except for a
sense of place we have to build it ourselves. Why not build it around art about, around
community activities. This can present that. I know Gary. I know Gary and Cris and it would
be anathema for them to have a car-painting place. But I understand you would have to put the
restrictions on the property you cant put it on the owners cause then the owners when they sell
youd have to set it up again. I understand your consideration. But the need is there; the need is
there so much that it can be fulfilled without having to have that heavy industry there.
SALAVEA:Thank you and I fully support your statement. And I guess the concern
that the majority of the- well speaking for myself and possibly for the other Commissioners is
that we want to make sure that the intent of those buildings we understand it correctly to be
public and community use and accessed by local artists from the area. And that the use follows
along that intention rather than being later on you know diluted by possibly, in my mind I see it
assupplyanddemand.Youknowthespacewillbevaluableandwewanttomakesurethatits
intended for your you know, that use and its going to be- its going to be used within that and it
stays within that use. So to make sure your concerns are appreciated and written in and thank
you.
GRAHAM:Just in support of what Commissioner Salavea was saying I just wanted to
let you folks know that you know as sitting Commissioners we do hear from actions, from
Commission actions of 5 years ago and more where such and such has happened in the meantime
so were dealing with it. So, we foresee what others may have to deal with in the future. Any
rd
other questions from other Commissioners? All right then our 3
testifier is David Martinez and
would you give your name and address first please?
MARTINEZ:My name is Dave Martinez. Im at 92-8765 Orchid Parkway, Ocean
View. I just wanted to say that Gary and Crissy have shared their plan with me. I understand
that its rare for somebody to want to develop but yet develop a commercial development in a
park-like setting so I think this is a unique situation. For me having a community asset down
there that is still not just concrete and steal but is trees in a more natural setting is a good asset to
the community and its something I dont have to pay for as a taxpayer. So, I commend them on
theirvisionandIhopethatyouseefittoworkwiththeminordertofulfillthisvisionbecauseI
think it would be a great asset to the community. Thank you very much.
GRAHAM:Thank you Dave. Do we have any questions from the Commissioners?
Allrightthankyouall3ofyou.Thanksforyourpatience.Sotheapplicantscancomeforward.
My inclination- yes, Commissioner Siracusa?
SIRACUSA:Well, why dont you finish what you were going to say first.
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38
GRAHAM:My inclination is to say we need to try to focus on the specifics of the
matter at hand but also-. And so, probably I would start there with what the Planning Director
foresaw as how we could resolve the issues remaining but also if you had any comments you
wanted to make to make that arose out of this testimony. It certainly seemed like it was all
supportive testimony so I dont think theres any particular comments that are suggested but if
you had anything to say youre certainly welcome to do that first.
ROLAND:I would just like to say that I think we misunderstood something. If
youre willing to give us more square footage on M in some form or another. Actually M is a
very small building with a large deck. It has a small footprint with 2 stories and I think we can
expand that building in some way if that helps facilitate things. I think Id like to hear what you
all have to say about that and whatever else youre proposing. Were open to almost anything at
this point.
GRAHAM:Okay.CommissionerSiracusa?
SIRACUSA:IwantedtosaythatIlikethisprojectalot.Iliketoseeadevelopment
where the developers are thinking out of the box and not- and in terms of aesthetics and not just
the bottom line and everything else be dammed. I would like to see it go forward and I would
like to see what we can do to help that happen. I still feel that the request to have a light
industrial component runs really contrary to what the applicants are envisioning and it also for a
lot of us Commissioners I think it opens up a can of worms in terms of what things are allowed
in a light industrial area that we wouldnt want to see there. And so, Im wondering is there a
process where at this point, Im asking this now of Director Yuen, where we can delete the light
industrial component or would the applicant have to go back to the drawing board or whats the
process here? If everyone agrees that that might be the way to go.
YUEN:I definitely dont want to send them back to the drawing board. Heres my
suggestion and this will mean when we redo- if this passes in the form well-. In addition to, the
way the permits come out if you look at the recommendation it starts off with a paragraph that
talks about what is approved in the special permit. And then it has a bunch of conditions at the
end. We will rewrite this slightly and we will add some things to the conditions so let me- my
suggestion and let me see if this wording works for the applicant so that in-. We would expand
the size of Building M to 7500 square feet I think that was the discussion, which is-. And then
we would say that in Buildings S and M the applicants can establish offices, meeting spaces and
workshop spaces for crafts persons and artists. Does that work for you as a limitation?
ROLAND:Yes that works and retail also, retail sales.
YUEN:Well the retail sales you have a gallery and thats where its limited to
crafts and art- what did I say? Crafts and-?
WATANABE:Art in the district.
YUEN:Pardon me?
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WATANABE:You said crafts produced in the Kau district.
YUEN: Yeah, put crafts and items, craft items produced in the Kau district.
Crafts and art items produced in the Kau district thats the limitation there. So its not
somebody, were not approving a video rental space; you know the whole range of things that
fall under retail. Now people can, people can sell out of their own, out of their own workspaces
they could sell what theyre producing and they could also sell that at the gallery. And thats
what I would say is the limitation here.
GOLDING, G.:Oh that would be great. I was just; we were just concerned about our
recycle store, the second hand.
YUEN:Right thats in there already.
GOLDING,G.:Thatsintherealready,okaythatsfine.
YUEN:So,soletmespecificallyandIveamendedsomeconditionsearlierthose
would still stand. But what I would- to do this what I would specifically say is this. This would
amendments to number 2. The first part, the first, number 2 stands and then it would say in
buildings S & M, applicants can establish offices, meeting spaces, and workshop spaces for
crafts persons and artists. And then we say, we add to this, architectural details of the buildings
may differ from the application. And this is because were; this is to make it clear that theres
some leeway in how the buildings are laid out because now were talking about a bigger
building. And we started off the condition by saying that it had to be in substantial conformance
to the application but then were contemplating a building thats a little bit different. So, to make
it clear that theyre not stuck with exact design that they came in with. And just in general we
wouldnt do that because people always change with time. I mean people, people change what
theyre doing in the middle of building sometimes so those would be the changes to number 2.
And then number 4 where it says Building M shall be no larger than 5,000 square feet we would
say 7500 square feet.
GOLDING, G.:That would be fine with us.
GRAHAM:Does that complete what you had Mr. Yuen?
YUEN:Yes.
GRAHAM:All right. Did you have a response first then I have-.
GOLDING, G.:I just had one other thing I didnt know if we solved number 7 which was
the water, bottled water.
GRAHAM:Yeah I dont know if we solved that either I- as I recall your concern was
that additional infrastructure or technologies may provide other alternatives for you and you
dont want to be stuck with the specifics here was that correct?
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ROLAND:Well, at this time we would have to comply with the Health Departments
rules for bottled water as it is hauled and stored and we intend to do that. It doesnt mention it
here you know it just says bottled water only so it should say and potable water as approved by
the Health Department or something to that nature.
YUEN:Well this gets to a little bit of a technical question. I wouldnt have a
problem with saying that you provide either bottled water or trucked water from a potable source
or from a public water- trucked in water from a public water system. I- weve been putting this
conditions on all the overnight facilities like bed and breakfasts that dont have a connection to a
County approved drinking water source. The way youre wording it Im not sure will work
because the Department of Health has no standards for catchment. They let you use catchment
but they have no standards for it. And, our concern with this is maintaining some overall level of
quality for people that come to the islands as guests of commercial establishments. We have a
visitor economy. It would be very bad if there are stories appear in the mainland papers about
peopleinHawaiicomeandstayinabedandbreakfastandgetleptospirosis.Ifyouhavesome
kind of proposal in the future that is going to work for the Department of Health and then again
we can come in with a amendment to the conditions of approval. This bottled water thing
applies, its only for overnight guests.
ROLAND:Oh thats fine. Thank you.
GRAHAM:Commissioner Siracusa do you have something further?
SIRACUSA:Well, I just wanted to say that the way its worded, the applicant should
provide bottled water for guests, it doesnt say that they cannot also provide water from a
catchment tank that has- thats delivered from potable sources and put in a food-grade liner if the
guests choose to avail themselves to that.
YUEN:And thats true for our bed and breakfast as well, which may have a sink.
Theres nothing that keeps somebody from drinking out of the sink.
SIRACUSA:It doesnt say only.
YUEN:We do haunt them, when people have, are essentially on a catchment or
non County system we do- we are putting this in as a standard condition so that its there and you
know people can, the guests can drink bottled water. Theres no way short of not letting them
have plumbing in the unit that we can prevent them from being able to drink the catchment water
if thats what the guests chooses to do.
SIRACUSA:If were ready Im willing to make the motion unless anyone else has
anything to say?
GRAHAM:Commissioner Salavea?
SALAVEA:Yes I have, Im not sure, I think this is more of a comment for the
Goldings. I want to commend you for the foresight and the vision to develop this type of facility
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for your area but I would like to-. Well the first part would be a question, has there been any
cost estimate for what it would take for the artists, or how much it would cost the artists to rent
out those spaces that you designed?
GOLDING, G.:No we havent done any cost estimates on renting it out. We just did a
cost estimate on the overall project so far and-.
ROLAND:We anticipate that our square footage cost will be significantly lower than
whats available there now and what it will actually be is very hard to determine. But our intent
will be in fact to have smaller spaces and rent that will be affordable and practical for the area.
And I think we can do that.
SALAVEA:And this is the comment part of what Im saying is Id like to encourage
you to do whatever is possible to make sure, to ensure that the intent of what we are suggesting
inortheconditionsthatweremodifyingfortheusageofpublicandtheartisansinthearea
remain affordable as much as possible. My greatest, one of my greatest fears in looking at the
project is that demand for the space will, by other entities you know that could say oh yeah, Im
associated with an artist and I rent out the space but the usage goes to something else. Thats my
fear is that they get squeezed out because of the, I guess the margin that they make is not very
significant. And also for the non-profits and the community groups the spirit of what youre
writing and you propose is awesome and we need more of it but sometimes I find the reality and
the bottom line factors into what the eventuality use and I want to encourage you to stay true to
what you propose.
ROLAND:Thank you for those comments. It is sort of difficult but at the same time
if thats your intent you can achieve it. This is something that can be done.
SALAVEA:Thank you.
GRAHAM:Thank you. Any other Commissioners?
GOLDING, G.:I would like to reply on that also. That is our plan to stick with that and I
think we can. I know youre worried about a bidding war on-. With the Pahui Plaza I think
thats intended, is going to be growing soon also. That should alleviate or add more space to a
lot of the areas and we should be able to not get into a bidding war and raise our prices sky high.
We want to keep it for the people of the community. Thats our goal.
GRAHAM:Commissioner Siracusa?
SIRACUSA:Yeah. First I just wanted to preface my motion by telling Commissioner
Salavea that generally speaking artists put their work in the gallery, galleries typically work on a
30 to 40% commission. Thats the way it typically runs and so the artists usually dont have to
rent a space unless it turns out that theyre doing so well and they have to have so much
production that they need more space than the gallery can afford to give them because the gallery
has to sort of spread out their wall space and their floor space among a whole bunch of other
artists. So, if someones doing really well in the gallery then that means that they would be able
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then to afford a space of their own. Anyway, if everyone is ready I would like to make a motion.
I move that the application for special permit SPP 05-011 be approved based on the Planning
Directors recommendation and proposed conditions including the change to the first paragraph
of the Special Permit Application Recommendations, the changes to conditions number 2, 4, 6,
10 and 11 as discussed at this meeting. And 5? Excuse me. And 5, Im sorry that was the
landscaping. Thank you.
GRAHAM:Is there a secondforthe motion?
SALAVEA:Second.
GRAHAM:Its been moved by Commissioner Siracusa and seconded by
Commissioner Salavea for approval here. Can we have any discussion from the Commissioners?
Commissioner Iwashita?
IWASHITA:Thank you. I just want to make it clear that the motion also is to include
thePlanningDirectorsrecommendationthatthe-astothedenialofthebuildingsL2,L3and
buildings A, B and C.
GRAHAM:Is that your understanding Commissioner Siracusa?
SIRACUSA:That was my understanding when I referred to the changes in the first
paragraph.
GRAHAM:And Mr. Salavea?
SALAVEA:Yes.
GRAHAM:Yes okay. Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:No that was the exact point I was going to bring up.
GRAHAM:Okay very good. Jeff is it clear to you that the Commissioners kind of
have it all straight here cause theres been so many changes or is there some clarifications youd
like to make so make sure were all agreed? Yeah, if Jeff is comfortable its all been delinieted
clear and he doesnt have any he wants to clarify Im fine with that.
DARROW:Ill be working closely with our Planning Director and Lynette to make
sure were clear.
GRAHAM:Yeah, the balls in the court of the Commissioners right now so they gotta
know what theyre voting on yeah?
DARROW:Yeah.
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GRAHAM:Okay. Do we have any other discussion on this? All right Jeff go ahead
with the roll call then. This is on a motion for approval in part and denial in part in the way
expressed by Commissioner Siracusa.
DARROW:Thank you Mr. Chair. Commissioner Siracusa?
SIRACUSA:Aye.
DARROW:Commissioner Salavea?
SALAVEA:Aye.
DARROW:Commissioner Iwashita?
IWASHITA:Aye.
DARROW:CommissionerMcCall?
MCCALL:Aye.
DARROW:CommissionerWatanabe?
WATANABE:Aye.
DARROW:And Mr. Chair?
GRAHAM:Aye.
DARROW:The motion passes 6 to 0.
GOLDING, C.:Thank you.
GRAHAM:Thank you all for all your efforts and it took a while but I think we got it
clear and worked out.
ROLAND:This has been very educational. I loved it and its very fair for one
another. I really appreciate your time.
This discussion ended at 12:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Sanemitsu, West Hawai i Secretary
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