HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0229.012 1996-1998 q _ O~,~SY OF N,rwt'
y{Ej „ W~. Virginia Goldstein
Stephen K. Yamashiro o - i, Dinctor
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Norman Oleaen
~r'4 ~ De u Director
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PLANNING DEPARTMENT
25 Aupuni Street, Aaom 109 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252
- (808) 961.8288 • Fax (808) 961.96!5
May 28, 1997
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Honorable Councilman Dominic Yagong z~ ;
Chairperson, Committee on Public Works ; ~
Hawaii County Council O ~ =
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25 Aupuni Street
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Hilo, Hawaii 96720
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Deaz Chairperson Yagong:
RE: Communication 229
Basil's Restaurant Sidewalk Use Permit
KaiLm Village Snerial 17ictrict
At its meeting of May 27, 1997, the Kailua Village Design Commission voted unanimously to
forward an unfavorable recommendation on the subject application to the Planning Director
based on the following reasons and concerns:
1. The Commission is not against the issue of outdoor dining, but is not in favor of the
use of the County's public property for the expansion of Basil's Restaurant. This
would not be fair to others who wish to expand their businesses in the same manner,
but do not have the same public space circumstances as the petitioner.
2. Although the petitioner indicates that he will be securing additional liability insurance
and not be serving liquor in the outdoor area, the County and its taxpayers would also
be burdened with liability, should any litigious action be taken against Basil's
Restaurant, because the activity would be taking place on County public lands.
3. The Kona Outdoor Circle working in partnership with the County of Hawaii funded
this beautification project for Kailua Village. The design of these walkway and
landscaping improvements specifically had the azea where Basil's proposal for outdoor
seating as a rest stop azea. The primary purpose of this walkway and landscaping
improvements was to provide an aesthetically more pleasing pedestrian experience
through this area. In addition, on boat days where there is a high level of pedestrian
activity, there is a potential for conflicts between the pedestrian activity and the
proposed outdoor seating area.
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' Honorable Councilman Dominic Yagong
Page 2
May 28, 1997
4. The approval of such a use on County property, if any, should be allowed to everyone
and not on a case to case basis. While the proposal may have merit, the petitioner
should consider bringing this issue to other civic and community organizations as well
as to the County Council to perhaps agree to closing Alii Drive during the evening
hours to allow all businesses to utilize Alii Drive right-of--way as an outdoor pedestrian
mall. This would be a fair way in assisting the business sector and the community at
large. The Commission noted that the closures of Alii Drive from Palani Road to
Hualalai Road for the King Kamehameha week celebrations, Kona Coffee Festival,
International Billfish Tournament, Ironman Triathalon, Destination Kona's annual
Block Party, and other events all have had the approval of the County Council and all
have been very successful and beneficial to the community and business sector of
Kailua Village.
We concur with the Commission's recommendation.
In our discussion with the Department of Public Works, they have also indicated that they will
be transmitting a memorandum to you with an unfavorable recommendation on the sidewalk
use application.
Should you have any questions, please feel welcome to contact Royden Yamasato of my staff
at 327-3510.
Si cerely,
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VIRGI AGO STEIN
Planning Directo
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xc: Moustafa Mohammed, Basil's Restaurant
West Hawaii Office