REP LAAC 008 2025-02-04 2024-2026

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REPORT OF THE LEGISLATIVE APPROVALS AND ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE DATE: February 4, 2025 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 1:29 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 76/Bill No. 16 Your Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions, to which was referred Bill No. 16, reports as follows: Bill No. 16, transmitted by Managing Director William V. Brilhante, via Communication No. 76, dated December 27, 2024, amends Ordinance No. 06-28, which amended Section 25-8-33 (City of Hilo Zone Map) Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended) by changing the district classification from Agricultural (A -la) to Neighborhood Commercial (CN-20) at Ponahawai, South Hilo, Hawaii, covered by Tax Map Key: 2-3-036:018 (por) (Application: Kristin Frost Albrecht) (Area: 8 acres). The Windward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for the applicant's request for a ten-year time extension to Condition D (Complete Construction) for the development of the Hawaii Island Agricultural Innovation Park and Food Systems Campus. The property is located on the south side of Ponahawai Street, approximately 1,300 feet east of its intersection with Komohana Street, Ponahawai, South Hilo. Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Meeting of January 21, 2025 Justin Clayton with Food Basket, Inc., representative for Applicant Kristin Frost Albrecht, and Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow were present in the Chambers. Mr. Darrow provided a PowerPoint presentation via Communication 76.1, which outlined the favorable recommendation of the Windward Planning Commission and the Planning Director, along with its specific conditions. Mr. Clayton requested to postpone the bill as the applicant had not been provided ample time to review nor address Planning Department's recommended conditions. Committee Chair Heather Kimball inquired with Mr. Darrow if February 4, 2025 would be enough time for the department to meet with the applicant. Mr. Darrow indicated that although the conversation on this matter involves other departments, it is a great project and that they will do their best to move it along. Mr. Clayton also agreed it was possible to address their concerns by then as well. Bill 16 was postponed to February 4, 2025, with seven "ayes", with Committee Members Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and Ashley Kierkiewicz absent. LAAC Report No. 8