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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 079 06/06/2006 2004-2006 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: June 6, 2006 Re: Comm. No. 912 PLACE: Council Chambers TIME: 9:00 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 912, reports as follows: Communication No. 912 from Mayor from Mayor Harry Kim, dated May 19, 2006 states the Puna District Community Development Plan (CDP) process has been initiated by the County of Hawaii Planning Department. It further states the Hawaii County General Plan provides that a Steering Committee be formed comprised of individuals who reside in the Puna District who would be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the County Council. Communication No. 912 introduces eleven (11) individuals from the Puna District whom Mayor Kim has appointed to serve on the Puna District Community Development Plan Steering Committee (CDPSC). The primary purpose of the Steering Committee is to ensure that the Puna District CDP process has broad based community participation and prepared in the best interest of the health and welfare of the community. The Steering Committee would serve as ambassadors for the planning process for an 18-month period and would be extended, if necessary, to run parallel with the CDP process. Mayor Kim's appointees with excerpts of a personal statement from each, aze as follows: • Darren M. AhChong: As a citizen of Puna, he is concerned about how the Puna District will be built- out in the years to come and believes that doing what is right or "pono" is extremely important. • Eddie Alonzo: His prior participation in resolving community issues and experienced major flood areas, wind and lava flow damage, provides knowledge of areas in need of improvement. • Stephanie Bath: Believes it is a sacred responsibility to preserve what we have on this island for future generations, not just for our grandchildren, but for all. • W. Gregory Braun: Believes a foundation for proper planning must be developed as resident population increases. • Barbara M. Lively: Wants to be a part of this exciting process to try to ensure "smart growth" for Puna's future. • Jon A. Olson: Has worked on planning and related issues in Puna for sixteen years. • Shirley M. Pedro: Has worked collaboratively with community associations and various businesses regarding establishing sustainable income and additional crops as well as marketing avenues for farmers and their products. PC REPORT NO. 79 Communication 912 Page 2 of 4 • Alan S. Rudo: Shares a true love and respect for the `aina and hopes to be a part of its cazetaking. • Kim D. Tavares: Recognizes the need to pool resourceful people from within and near the community to brainstorm and take action towards long lasting solutions. • Frederick R. Warshauer: Has experience in working with community partnerships involving numerous issues that were resolved by consensus. At the June 6, 2006 Planning Committee meeting, there were no statements received from the public on this matter. Chairman Pilago called representatives from Planning Department. Debbie Chang introduced herself as a planner with the Planning Department and manager of the Puna District CDP process. Ester Imamura, planner with the Planning Department, is also working with the steering committee. Ms. Chang distributed a flier to the committee informing of its first workshop set for July 22, 2006. 103 small group meetings have been held throughout the Puna district. Formation of the steering committee is anxiously anticipated and a review committee was formed the 38 applications received. Council Member Arakaki made a request to bifurcate the nominations because he has some concerns. Council Member Safazik asked Planner Chang to explain the process of selecting nominees. Ms. Chang stated the review committee consisting of four longtime residents of Puna, Paula Kekahuna (officer of Maku'u farmers market and resident of Hawaiian Homelands), Liz Feltzon (Nanawale Estates community who manages the community center), Andy Levin (Mayor's assistant) and Gerard Filbrom (long-time resident of Puna). A list of criteria under broad azeas of knowledge, attitude, skills and points of view were used in the selection process. Given the limitation of applicants, they came up with a point system by which the Review members rated the nominees. Point system was comprised of the following: • Knowledge (maximum of 10 points): Indicators include: knowledge of the geographic area, knowing the people of the community well, knowledge of the history of Puna Distirct, some understanding of the land use planning process, cultural competence in Hawai`i`s multi-cultural society and knowledge of living and working in the different parts of Puna Distirct. • Attitude (maximum of 10 points): Willing to be part of the new and evolving community implementation process; willing to assist in obtaining input from community groups and individuals with whom the member already has a relationship; willing and interested in learning about the planning process and principles; willing to attend training sessions; can-do attitude with optimism, moderated by realism; open-minded when considering old ways may no longer work; process and task oriented; willing and able to work and collaborate with people of different points of view; willing to work with government on collaborating and building partnerships. • Skills (maximum of 10 points): Demonstrative commitment to collaborate in seeking solutions to planning issues; ability to multi-task and follow through with assignment and tasks; experience in community visioning and/or long-range planning; worked on a project or understand strategic planning; experience in outreach (how to get community involved); a team player, including the county as part of team; ability to see the big picture and consider more than one's own agenda. • The other list is not a list, but items that we tried to keep in mind as people were ranted. Wanted to make sure we had certain points of views represented, such as business sector, human services PC REPORT NO. 79 Communication 912 Page 3 of 4 sectors, different cultures that exist in Puna, agriculture, landowners, non-resident land owners, educators, environmental, multi-generational mix, good mix of males and females, regional representation of the Puna area and awareness of history and historic preservation issues. Ms. Chang stated the four reviewers were chosen similar as it was for the Kona CDP. The Kona had a representative from Mayor's office so Andy Levin was the first chosen. They then looked for people who know the Puna azea well and who live there for a long time with experiences in observing people in meetings and handling themselves. Council Member Holschuh requested a hard copy of the point system she just reviewed for use when Hamakua begins it CDP process. Council Member Ikeda noted his surprise the largest landowner Shipman was not a participant especially because this will really affect the community and they own about half the land in Puna. He stated if the steering committee had a representative from Shipman it would be easier to persuade them to release some of their lands. He noted Shipman has tendencies to give land away and was hoping to see a nominee from Shipman so we don't have to buy land from them, and they would give the county land. Ms. Chang stated no one selected by the review committee is directly connected to the Shipman Tnrst. Ms. Chang agreed they are a very important player and stakeholder and fully intends to bring them in as much as they would like to be. Ms. Chang noted certain Planning staff members aze attending Shipman's master planning meetings being conducted and trying to complete the master plan before the committee gets too far into CDP process. Shipman would like to fully be a part of it and share with the community. Council Member Ikeda asked whether there was anyone from Shipman who applied and Ms. Chang stated two people had applied with direct connections to Shipman. One, a direct heir of the trust, was felt to directly benefit personally from the results of the CDP and, by consensus, probably not a good idea. The qualifications of the other Shipman applicant did not rank very high. Mr. Ikdea stated he hoped they keep Shipman involved and stated if we can get the land for free, lets go for it. Chair Pilago stated Mr. Arakaki correctly requested the committee to bifurcate the question and have an opportunity to meet each steering committee nominee on his or her own merits. Council Member Jacobson inquired why Mr. Arakaki is requesting bifurcation and Mr. Arakaki responded because he wants to. Chair Pilago noted that it is Mr. Arakaki's right to make the request and that it was helpful because the members get to meet each applicant on their own merits. Mr. Safazik stated doesn't think taking each nominee individually is a bad thing. There's a lot of good people here and thinks we need to hear their story and bifurcation allows for it. Chairman Pilago introduced Mr. W. Gregory Braun, a 34-year resident of Puna and the owner of Asia Pacific Flowers, Inc. Council Member Safazik asked Mr. Braun what his opinion was about the unbridled growth in Puna, especially in the corridor where most people live, such as Paradise Park, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Beaches, Orchidland. Mr. Braun stated because residents are locked into the rural subdivision that exists, there is really not much we can do in terms of single family homes. He stated he was glad that over the years the double density ohana zoning was stopped, but there are still issues regarding that. He decided to become involved because of concerns about density in the area, the roads ability to handle traffic in the area, commercial development along Highway 130, and his belief that development should be properly planned and that services needed in the area are provided. Mr. Braun notes the Pahoa Maketplace is a good example of what was developed right in that azea. One major concern in lower Puna below the Ainaloa PC REPORT NO. 79 Communication 912 Page 4 of 4 turnoff is that there's no road in or out if Highway 130 is blocked. He noted that growth has caught a lot of citizens off guard as a businessman employing twenty people they're all very concerned aboutjobs in Puna and the ability to sustain agriculture in Puna. Puna is also one of the best orchid growing regions, not only in Hawaii but in the world. It's important we sustain this type of agriculture. Mr. Safarik noted there are 57,000 buildable lots in the area with no control except through building permits. Mr. Safarik stated he is happy to support his nomination as he brings a business perspective to the group as well as a long term vested interest perspective. Mr. Braun stated there are no conflicts he is aware of in serving on this committee. Your Committee on Planning is in accord with Mayor Kim's appointment of W. Gregory Braun to the Puna District Community Development Plan Steering Committee and recommends his confirmation. and AYES xoes A&E Ex Respectfully submitted, ARAKAKI X HtcA X COMMITTEE ON PLANNING HOFFMANN X HOLSCH[TH X IKEDA X ISBELL X JACOBSON X K. ANGEL PIL O, CHAIR PILACO X PC REPORT NO. 79 SAFARIK X ADOPTED: JU