2011-05-04 Windward Planning Commission Hearing Transcript

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The current concurrency requirements contained within the Zoning Code ties it in with the provisions of roadways and water systems commensurate with development. We would like to see that civil defense warning sirens also been made a part of the concurrency requirements. So with that, please note that on page 2 of your report that the requirement shall only apply to certain types of projects. One being 25 or more residential units; number two commercial space, industrial space, or a combination thereof equal to or greater than 30,000 square feet of gross floor area; and third a combination of residential units, commercial space and industrial space equal to or greater than 35,000 square feet of gross floor area. So with that, I stand ready to answer any questions you may have. KERN: Are there any questions for staff? DOMINGO: Mr. Chairman? KERN: Commissioner Domingo. DOMINGO: Mr. Arai, would this be applicable in any part of the island? ARAI: Yes. It is an amendment to the County Code so it would be applicable island wide. DOMINGO: Okay. And I mean, I mean the installation of those sirens would it be just along the, nearest to the seacoast where development has taken place? ARAI: No, it won't be limited. The previous bill that was sent out to you from Council had applied only to the SMA area, if I remember correctly, and within a one-mile radius. DOMINGO: Okay, thank you. KERN: I have a question. What is the intent of putting these sirens all over the island? If somebody wanted to do something in Volcano they’d have to put one up there, and potentially trying to tie into the siren system may be very hard from Volcano, not to mention if a tsunami is coming that big I’ve got to probably drive up to Volcano where we’re going to be safe. LEITHEAD TODD: The siren system is not just a tsunami warning system. It is for all types of Civil Defense warnings. So in theory depending on where State Civil Defense determines these should be, these could be for, when I was a kid it was the deck-and-cover air raid warning -- it could be a hurricane which would impact the entire island, it could be lava flow, you know, trying to warn people to turn on, sometimes the sirens are more about turning on your radio and finding out what the warnings are for, more than anything else. But it is envisioned as an island-wide system that addresses not only tsunami. I think we’re most concerned about those areas. But, you know, if you’ve been to Kauai when the hurricane hit, it 2 EXHIBIT B