HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 051 2020/08/04 2018-2020REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: August 4, 2020 Re: Comm. No. 1019/13ill No. 182
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 10:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 182, reports as follows:
Bill No. 182, introduced by Committee Chair Ashley L. Kierkiewicz at the request of the
Administration via Communication No. 1019 dated July 1, 2020 from Mayor Harry Kim,
amends Ordinance No. 09-159, which reclassified lands from Agricultural -5 acres (A -5a) to
Multiple Family Residential — 30,000 Square Feet (RM -30) at Keauhou, North Kona, Hawaii,
covered by Tax Map Key: 7-8-010:101. This bill amends Condition D of Ordinance No. 09-159
to grant applicant Kona Country Club Inc. a five-year extension of the deadline to complete
construction, and updates other conditions of the ordinance.
The Leeward Planning Commission, at its duly noticed meeting on June 18, 2020, concurred
with the Planning Director's recommendation of approval.
Mr. Sydney Fuke, Planning Consultant, appeared on behalf of the applicant, and provided
background information on the project. He explained that the applicant worked hard to meet
various requirements and seek approvals but ran out of time to move forward on development
and needed to raise capital, so he was seeking a time extension in order to complete the project.
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas asked Mr. Fuke to confirm the location of the project.
Mr. Fuke described the location and explained that access improvements to the property, such as
a road and sidewalk, had already been completed by the applicant.
Ms. Villegas asked Mr. Fuke why Condition B and other conditions in the ordinance had been
crossed out. Mr. Fuke explained that those conditions had already been fulfilled and that leaving
them on the books would be "editorial." She also asked how many times this project sought a
time extension. Mr. Fuke clarified that this would be the second. The first was an administrative
extension, by the Planning Director in 2014 to 2019. The application was filed prior to the
expiration of the first extension.
PC Report No: 51
PC-5 I Page 2 August 4,2020
Committee Member Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder asked Mr. Fuke if the developer is taking care of
burial sites and archeological sites. Mr. Fuke confirmed that the developer is in compliance with
the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) having completed the Archeological
Preservation Plan, Archeological Data Recovery Plan, Archeological Monitoring Plan, and
Burial Treatment Plan.
Mr. Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder asked about the size of the property if it is in compliance with zoning
codes. Mr. Fuke replied, 51 acres and the site is in compliance with the codes.
Committee Member Karen Eoff noted that the Leeward Planning Commission gave a positive
recommendation and complimented on their thorough work.
Planning Director Michael Yee expressed that the application was heard on an online platform
and that the Planning Department is very comfortable with the final conditions.
Chair Kierkiewicz said that time extensions are an ongoing topic of conversation. She noted that
oftentimes developers want to take action on projects but are waiting for decisions to be made by
other agencies. She noted years' long reviews by SHPD and that the development clock was
always ticking. She and Director Yee agreed to address this and find ways to streamline.
Chair Kierkiewicz confirmed with Mr. Fuke that his client is in agreement with the conditions
laid out in the ordinance.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 182, and
recommends its passage on first reading.
jb
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
EOFF X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
at., V/14-'
LEE LOY X
POINDEXTER x ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 51
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: AUG 1 9 2020