HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 054 2020/09/01 2018-2020REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: September 1, 2020 Re: Comm. No. 1051/Resolution No. 717-20
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 Resolution No. 717-20, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 717-20, introduced by Committee Chair Ashley L. Kierkiewicz at the request of
the Office of Housing and Community Development via Communication No. 1051 dated
August 25, 2020, rescinds and cancels Resolution No. 281-14 (Draft 2) and authorizes the
exemption of certain code requirements, pursuant to Sections 201H-38 and 46-15.1 of the
Hawaii Revised Statutes, for Kuakini Senior Living in North Kona, Hawaii, covered by Tax
Map Key 7-5-017:005. The applicant is Kuakini Highway 75-6099 Corp. and seeks exemptions
from certain conditions of approval in Ordinance 06-78 and County Code requirements to
facilitate development of an assisted living and senior housing and care campus to accommodate
approximately 250 residents.
Appearing before Your Committee in Hilo was Mr. Sidney Fuke, planning consultant
representing the applicant, Kuakini Highway 75-6099 Corp., and Ms. Alison Davidson, legal
representation for the applicant. Office of Housing and Community Development Administrator
Duane Hosaka and his Assistant Administrator Alisa Hanselman were also in the Hilo Chambers.
Chair Kierkiewicz reminded her colleagues that at the previous Planning Committee meeting on
August 18, 2020, Resolution 694-20 was discussed but subsequently withdrawn given concerns
around exemptions from traffic and drainage/flooding studies as well as a legal question possibly
having two resolutions on record related to 201H exemptions for this property.
Mr. Fuke provided an overview of the new resolution, sharing that the substantive concerns
around health and safety, specifically relating to traffic, drainage, and floodways would be
determined through completion of the appropriate studies, and that the applicant would comply
with any mitigation imposed by or required by the government after the studies were completed
and reviewed. He noted that the substance of the resolution's content had not changed, but noted
that a map in the application packet naming the project had been changed from, "West Hawaii
Senior Living" to "Kuakini Senior Living."
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas thanked Mr. Fuke, the developer, and the project manager
for their diligence in rectifying the concerns regarding the previous resolution.
PC Report No. 54
PC- 54 Page 2 September 1,2020
Committee Vice-Chair Sue Lee Loy confirmed with Mr. Fuke that the exemptions sought around
grubbing and grading had to do with the permitting fees and was not an exemption from the
actual work.
Ms. Lee Loy also confirmed with Mr. Fuke that there was no need to apply for the height
variance because the ceiling is set at 48 feet and despite exempting the applicant from that
Section of the Code, the applicant and future developments may not exceed the 48 feet height
limit requirement. Mr. Fuke noted that the developer wanted to be in compliance with whatever
regulations were on the books.
Chair Kierkiewicz thanked Mr. Fuke for working with her office and the district representative
on resolving concerns raised and crafting a new resolution. She explained that once a 201H
application is filed with the Clerk's office, there is a 45-day clock that begins, where the
County's legislative body must approve, approve with modifications or deny the application. If
we're unable to meet that 45-day deadline, whatever was filed with the Clerk's office
automatically becomes law, so the timing of filing the applications and solid work product was
paramount to the effort.
The vote was taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a positive
recommendation and passed with eight"ayes."
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 717-20,
and recommends its adoption.
jb
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
EOFF X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
LEE LOY X
POINDEXTER x ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 54
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: SEP 1 6 2070