HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 054 2022/03/22 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: March 22, 2022 Re: Comm. No. 676/Bill No. 137
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 9:39 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 137, reports as follows:
Bill No. 137, transmitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth via Communication 676, dated March 1,
2022, amends the State Land Use Boundaries Maps for the County of Hawai`i by changing the
District Classification from the Agricultural to the Urban District at 'O'oma 1st.,North Kona,
Hawai`i, covered by Tax Map Key 7-3-017:024. The applicant is Aaron Nuola Kahananui and
the project area is approximately .992 acres. Bill No. 137 was introduced by Committee Chair
Ashley Kierkiewicz by request.
The Leeward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for this amendment
to the State Land Use Boundaries Map and change of zone, which would allow the applicant to
seek subdivision of the property into two residential lots for estate planning purposes. The
property is located at 73-4413 Hawai`i Belt Road, approximately 100 feet southeast of its
intersection with Kalaoa Street in North Kona.
John Pipan, Planning Consultant appeared in the Kona Council Chambers to represent the
applicant Aaron Nuola Kahananui. Mr. Pipan explained the circumstances of the application and
noted that the Kahananui's have been stewarding this property for decades and generations. The
proposed bill would continue to help them steward the land. This bill brings the zoning and state
land use designation into line with the current and longstanding use of the properties. First home
built by the Kahananui's in the early `60's, the second `Ohana unit in the early `90's. There are
fruit trees on the property, but they are not very significant; agricultural lands is less than an acre
but it's not prime; the soils not particularly high quality, so it's impact to the agriculture in the
area is miniscule and it's been used residentially for many decades. Potential impacts are nil and
there are no proposed developments in the area.
There was robust discussion in the Planning Commission regarding proposed conditions relating
to environmental protection for endangered species. We requested to dial those back to make
them more a representative of what the parcel was and the intent. The Planning Commission
decided to do away with those conditions and replace them with a general boiler plate should
there be endangered species found on the property, there will be compliance with the DLNR
PC Report No.: 54
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PC-54 Page 2 March 22,2022
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(Department of Land and Natural Resources) and DOFAW{Division of Forestry and Wildlife} {
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The owner addressed the Committee Members and explained his interest in reference to the
estate and the intent to keep the land in the family allowing his niece and nephew to do what they j
can with their portion of the property.
Committee Member Inaba expressed his support based on the applicant's intent to settle the
estate issues and with the application being straight forward.
Committee Member Richards agreed with Mr. Inaba's sentiments.
Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Mr Darrow of the Planning Department if
the County has done RS-I5's before. Mr. Darrow responded with, not in the immediate area. It`s
less than a half mile. There is a number of RS area zonded to the north and some to the south.
He stated this lot is unique in size and is smaller than the minimun size required to be an
agricultural lot. It was also stated that other lots in the area had `ohana dwellings on them.
Mr. Darrow described areas zoned Urban in the area.
Committee Chair Kierkiewicz voiced her support for the owners intention. The vote was taken
on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable recommendation and passed
with nine"ayes."
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 137, and
recommends its passage on first reading.
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID X COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
INABA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X
LEE LOv x AS4LfY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 54
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: APR 2022