HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 047 2022/03/08 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: March 8, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 575/Bill No. 107
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 10:31 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 107, reports as follows:
Bill No. 107, submitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth via Communication 575, dated
December 28, 2021, amends Ordinance No. 18-115, which reclassified lands from Open (0)
to Industrial-Commercial Mixed (MCX-20) and General Industrial (MG-la) at Honok6hau 1st
and 2nd, North Kona, Hawaii, Covered by Tax Map Keys: 7-4-008:013, 030, 074, 076-078,
084, 085 & 090-100 (formerly TMK: 7-4-008:013 & 030). The applicant is West Hawaii
Business Park, LLC, and the property area is approximately 282.367 acres. Bill No. 107 was
introduced by Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz by request.
The Leeward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for this amendment,
which amends Condition J(Kamanu Street Construction Timing) and adds Condition N
(Roadway/Driveway Requirements Related to Development of Parcel 77) and Condition O
(Ownership Transfer and Development of Parcel 90). The properties are located along the east
(mauka) side of Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway in Honok6hau, North Kona. Bill No. 107 was first
read and postponed on January 18, 2022.
Committee Member Tim Richards disclosed that he currently sits on the board of directors for a
ranch that has an existing relationship with Lanihau Properties; however, he does not have any
oversight or interests associated with Lanihau Properties.
President and Chief Executive Officer for Lanihau Properties, Riley Smith, was present in the
Hilo Chambers and provided a brief history of the property and background information. He
explained that Lanihau Properties has been held by the Greenwell Family for 172 years. The
initial entitlements for the property were obtained in 2004, and since then they have completed
an Environmental Impact Statement and obtained State Land Use designation and zoning as
Urban. Since then, they have made several efforts to construct infrastructure and connect road
access to the adjacent properties. Road construction began in October 2021 and is scheduled to be
completed by August 2022, and dedicated to the County by October 2022. Mr. Smith explained
that the requested amendments will enable them to secure a Certificate of Occupancy for
Parcel 77. The Departments of Planning and Public Works had recommended that there be two
means of access to County dedicable roads because Parcel 77 is 31 acres.
PC Report No.: 47
PC-47 Page 2 March 8,2022
Bill Moore, planning consultant with William L. Moore Planning LLC, was present in the Hilo
Chambers to represent the applicant. He explained that the original plan was to construct a road
down the middle of the property and subdivide it into four lots. An entity approached Lanihau
Properties about acquiring Parcel 77, which would no longer require them to subdivide the
property and provide the County with dedicable roads. He explained that the driveway going to
Parcel 77 will provide two access points to the adjacent properties which will be open to the
public during normal business hours. Mr. Moore also explained that a sewer pump station is
needed on the property to accommodate sewer infrastructure upgrades along the Queen's
Highway and they are in the process of donating 2.6 acres for the pump station to the Department
of Environmental Management(DEM). Their request is to remove the requirement that the
highway improvements be completed before construction of the pump station.
Committee Member Holeka Inaba asked for clarification on Condition N and why the road
would not be open full time. Mr. Smith responded that it was to deter security concerns at night,
but that the road would be open to the public daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. DEM will have
keys to access the pump station full time. Committee Member Inaba then asked about the curbs,
gutters, and sidewalks for the roadways and if those are required, to which Mr. Smith responded
that they are.
Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz noted to Planning Director Zendo Kern that there are
discrepancies between the language that was proposed by the Commission and what is in the Bill
before Your Committee. Mr. Kern responded that he will have his staff address the errors before
the March 23, 2022 Council meeting.
The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable
recommendation and passed with eight"ayes," with Committee Member Maile David absent.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 107, and
recommends its passage on first reading.
jS
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID X COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
INABA X
"NEALI'l-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X
LEE LOY X ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 47
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: MAR 2 3 202