2013-06-20 Leeward Exh A - Vipassana

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talking about downsizing from originally 100 guests to 40 guests, is that part of the recommendation that would be taking place? So would it be another, would it be a different project than was originally approved? ARAI: At this point, no. We are not considering the reduction in the scope of the project as permitted by the special permit. The applicant has the luxury of opportunity to reduce the scope of the project but still remaining compliant with the overall terms of the special permit that was granted. Now, if the applicant was proposing something that expanded upon the scope of the original use, then that definitely will have to be considered by the Planning Commission. Think about it this way: the special permit defines the outer parameters of what the Commission allowed back in 2000. If you don’t exceed those parameters, then you can downsize generally at will as long as you don’t exceed the original scope. GIFFIN: Good. Any other questions? Director? KANUHA: Daryn, maybe you can also clarify what happened with the approval of the plan approval, and how they indicated some reduction in the density. ARAI: Thank you, Mr. Director. In 2011 plans reflecting the one-third scale concept were submitted to the Planning Department, and the Planning Department did issue final plan approval, at the same time declaring that the reduced scope of the project remain in compliance with the overall special permit. So the plan approval basically confirmed the continuing conformance of the reduced project with the overall scope of the special permit. GIFFIN: Any other questions of Daryn? Hearing none, thanks, Daryn. Will the applicant or representative of the application please come forward. Good morning. YEH: Good morning. GIFFIN: Will you please raise your right hands. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this matter now before the Leeward Hawai‘i County Planning Commission? YEH: I do. GIFFIN: Beginning with you, Tom, will you please state your name and your position. YEH: Thank you. My name is Thomas Yeh. I’m attorney representing Vipassana Hawai‘i, the applicant. And then on my right is Sophia Schweitzer, Veronica Sophia Schweitzer; she is the general manager of Vipassana. And she is here primarily to answer questions, if they do come up. GIFFIN: Great. Thank you for coming. Tom, did you want to give some general comments? YEH: Yeah, I think it would just be helpful, you know, just from a background standpoint for the Commission to understand, you know, who Vipassana is and what happened between 2000 and now, which is a long time in some respects, but yet considering some of the things that have transpired basically not. First of all, Madam Chairman and Members of the Commission, thank you for considering this application. I did want to thank staff for their very thorough background report and 4 EXHIBIT A