2009-03-09 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes

Home

Mr. Hirakami asked Ms. Hecht if she or the Commission has ever considered non - monetary asset contributions to the 2% fund (i.e. idle lands in Hamakua). He added that if the County is managing assets they could profit by doing a 1031 exchange and in addition benefit from capital gain taxes whether it's income property or idle property. Ms. Hecht replied that she doesn't know if that's allowable according to the ordinance but thinks that it's a great idea. Ms. Springer asked Ms. Self if the Commission could vote on a recommendation to the Mayor. Ms. Self noted that they should take action when discussing under the appropriate agenda item. MIKE VARNEY Mr. Varney thanked the Commission for their hard work in the acquisition of the Waipi`o and Kawa`a parcel and is hopeful that the remaining parcels in Kawa will also be acquired. He spoke to the Commission in regards to a parcel in North Kohala owned by Parker Ranch (aka old Coast Guard road) comprising of approximately 17.5 acres. He noted that it's currently on the market for 3 million dollars and wants the Commission to consider purchasing to preserve for open space. He asked the commissioners if they had any idea on the status of the road and the public's ability to access the parcel. He noted that the parcel above (Tax Map Key: 3rd/5 -6- 10:56) is owned by the U.S. government and was proposed to be a park at one time. Mr. Varney noted that he is on the board of the Na Ala Hele advisory council and has been researching this road and have not gotten a clear answer from the State. A recent opinion in regards to "roads in limbo" from the Attorney General's office is stating that jurisdiction of roads is falling back on the County. Ms. Self mentioned that she thinks it's owned by the U.S. government. She added that Planning Department (PD) sent a letter to the State suggesting that they take the easements since a majority of the surrounding lands were owned by them. She thought that the coast guard road was going to be given to the State but have not heard what happened with that. Mr. Komata suggested that he fill out this information on the revised suggestion form. Ms. Garcia added that he contact the PD in regards to access and Ms. Laura Dierenfield of Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii (PATH) who has done extensive research on accesses in the area. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Flores noted that changes be made to: Page 2, 5th Paragraph — change "Council" to "Commission" Page 10, 4t paragraph — change "yea" to "year" Page 10, 1St paragraph — change "re- asses" to "re- assess" Ms. Markovich noted that changes be made to: Page 3 — 6th paragraph - change "comply" to "compile" -2-