2010-12-15 TDELUZ AUTOexhibitB - Laserfiche WebLink

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SALAVEA: Maybe that would be better directed to the applicant. BOWMAN: That’s right, thank you. HOUSEL: Okay, let’s call the applicant and representative forward. If you would like to use the microphone, please. Raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth now before the Planning Commission on this matter today? MOOERS: I do. DELUZ: I do. HOUSEL: Thank you. Would you like to give your name and address, please? MOOERS: My name is Greg Mooers, planning consultant for the applicant. My address is P. O. Box 1101 Kamuela. DELUZ: Jason DeLuz. My address is 64- HOUSEL: Thank you. Greg, if you would like to proceed. MOOERS: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think it’s very fortuitous that we had the discussion earlier about Mr. Caitano’s permit, because I think it really draws attention to some issues that you are faced in the Waimea community. I think of the last couple of meetings we’ve had special permits approved for ranch and farm supplies, and there was another one approved today for Mr. Olson’s ranch and farm supply. There are several issues I have personally with the South Kohala Community Development Plan. I think that these permits really illustrate this, and I think that the Director spoke about some of the issues. Having attended some of the Community Development Plan meetings, one of the points that I brought out at the meetings was that everybody in the meetings looked a lot like me –a lot of middle aged, older haoles – that didn’t seem like we were getting real broad cross-section of people in the Waimea community. And I have lived in Waimea now for 40 years. There were not representatives from east Hawai‘i,representing the small ranches and farms that appear in the Community Development Plan; there was some representation from the state farm ag lots, but there was a whole lot of representation for people who seemed to me to be a pretty well established in life, not so much worried about making a living. I think that’s something that,as a community, we are going to have to address and possibly revising that plan. Looking at these special permits, and I’m glad that there is a provision in the law for special permits, because it allows you to consider things that are unusual circumstances and you can assess them on a case-by-case basis and the community can provide input on a case-by-case basis as to whether or not it works in our community, and clearly these are certain exercises as they would have. We are not asking to put 7-Elevens out on the farm lots; what we are asking for in many cases are these agricultural parcels that have warehouses and garage to be utilized in a manner that it’s not offensive to the agricultural use, does not generate high traffic volumes, and is consistent with this type of use and noise. And I think Mr. DeLuz’s application, as being recognized by the Director in the Department, is that this is an operation that’s been going on for 20 years and it’s been consistent with the community, has not created problems for the community. It doesn’t generate high traffic, you know, you don’t allow the body repairs, you are not repairing 25 cars a 3 EXHIBIT B