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Home My WebLink AboutREP PC 009 02/06/2007 2006-2008 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: February 6, 2007 Re: Comm. No. 87Bi11 No. 26 PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa 78-128 Ehukai Street Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 TIlVIE: 10:00 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 26, reports as follows: Bill No. 26, transmitted via Communication No. 87 from Mayor Harry Kim, dated January 8, 2007, presents a Change of Zone Request by Hawaii Island Veteran's Memorial, Inc., at Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-4-57:029, portion of 030 & portion of 031 (formerly 2-4- 057:001). Bill No. 26 seeks to amend Section 25-8-33 (City of Hilo Zone Map), Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition), by changing the District Classification from Open (O) to Multiple Family Residential - 1,000 square feet (RM-1) at Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii. Communication No. 87 reports that the Hawaii County Planning Commission, as required by Chapter 4, Sec. 6-4.3(C), Hawaii County Charter, considered the above request on December 1, 2006. The Commission concurred with the Planning Director's reasons for recommending favorable consideration of the change of zone. Communication No. 87 transmits the following findings and recommendations: 1. The subject property is located on the north corner of Kawili Street and Kapiolani Street intersection, at Waikea, South Hilo, Hawaii. 2. Applicant is requesting a change of zone for 4.888 acres of land from an Open (O) to a Multiple Family Residential - 1,000 square feet (RM-1) district to provide active and reserve military personnel and their families an affordable housing complex and one-stop center consolidating various service delivery agencies. The project site is approximately 7.43 acres in size which includes the 4.888-acre portion that is being rezoned and the remaining area that is currently zoned RM-1. 3. Applicant intends to construct: 1) combined Veteran's Center with agencies and organizations offering a full range of services to active and retired military members and dependants contained within cone-story, 6,200 square foot ADA-accessible building; 2} affordable Senior Housing consisting of 96 - 110 independent-living apartments ranging PC Report No. 9 Communication 87 Bill 26 Page 2 of 4 from 800 to 1,000 square feet in size within three 4-story apartment buildings; 3) a Multi- purpose facility providing residential dining, social areas, meeting, conference and banquet facilities, recreation and exercise center, a mail room and administrative office within a 15,000 square foot building; and 4) open courts and landscaped lawns. 4. The cost of project estimated to be approximately 32 million dollars and will consist of three phases broken down as follows: Phase 1 -Combined Vet Center (3 million dollars); Phase 2 -Multi-purpose facility (5 million dollars); Phase 3 -Affordable Senior Housing (24 million dollars). 5. The proposed project will have access to the project site which includes Kawili, Kapiolani and Ululani Streets. The CVC office building, multi-purpose facility and one housing building will be situated on Kawili Street and the two remaining housing buildings will be situated behind the multi-purpose building towazds the Ululani Street entrance. 6. County water is available to the property and the proposed development will connect to the County's sewer system. Telephone and electrical services are also available to the property. 7. The Hilo Central Fire Station on Kinoole Street as well as the Waiakea and Kawalani Street stations will service the project with the Police Headquarters located on Kapiolani Street. Also, the Hilo Medical Center is located approximately 3 mites away. 8. The Planning Director recommended favorably on this request based on the following: • The proposed change of zone request would be consistent with app]icable goals, policies and standards and courses of action of the General Plan. • The Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) Map designates this area as High Density Urban, which allows for general commercial, multiple family residential and related services, with multiple-family residential up to 87 units per acre. • The property was historically used for sugar cane production and is currently covered with vegetation consisting of low brush, grass and trees. The property has no severe topographic or geologic problems and is classified as Zone X, areas determined to be outside the 500-year flood plain. • The Change of Zone request is not contrary to Chapter 205A, Hawaii Revised Statutes relating to Coastal Zone Management as the subject properties are located more than one (1) mile from the nearest coastline and will not adversely impact recreational resources, including shoreline and mountain accesses, visual resources, or coastal and marine ecosystems. PC Report No. 9 Communication 87 Bi1126 Page 3 of 4 • The property and surrounding areas have been extensively altered with urban development and therefore it is not anticipated that endangered or threatened candidate species of flora or fauna are located within the property, nor has the property been identified as a significant botanical or biological habitat. It is also anticipated the proposed development will not haue any significant adverse impact upon archaeological, cultural, or historical resources. • Requisite of the Planning Director's favorable recommendation for the change of zone request, are nineteen (19) conditions contained in Bill No. 26 which outline specific requirements for the proposed project. At the February 6, 2007 Planning Committee meeting, there were no members from the public who presented testimony. Mr. Bob Williams, representing the umbrella organization of the veterans group who will build the center and Ms. Yukie Ohashi briefly updated the council with a description of the project. Mr. Williams noted that in 2004 the council approved a lease of state property and that all plans and necessary studies have been completed pro Bono. Mr. Williams stated they are now in the final stages of entitlement and have begun plans to organize a major capital funding program. Ms. Ohashi stated from a consultant's perspective, it was a pleasure working on a project with a 100% volunteer group. Council Member Jacobson stated he has followed this project for some years and fully supports the proposal. Council Member Naeole expressed thanks to Mr. Williams for the work they are doing to help the elderly and especially our veterans who fight for our freedom. Planning Director Chris Yuen also expressed support for the project noting that the project will move forward under a County lease. Council Member Stacy Higa stated that the applicant has done a good job and wanted to know if it turned out the project couldn't secure the necessary funding, what would happen to the zoning. Mr. Higa notes the property is currently under a County lease and expressed concern that someone else could come in, take over and then develop something entirely different from what is being proposed. Director Yuen stated the property was made available via an Executive order from the state specifically for use as a Veterans Center and therefore the applicant couldn't sublease it out someone else and switch the concept. Mr. Yuen said the Applicant is also bound by the Lease agreement with the county and as long as the timeframe of the zoning does not run out, the zoning remains and nothing can happen without state or county approval. Mr. Higa stated he does support the project and hopes the developers can make it happen. Mr. Williams stated that with regard to funding, they are following the right sources and felt confident the project will materialize, having looked to donors such as Weinberg others. Your Committee concurs with the Planning Commission and the Planning Director's favorable recommendation for approval of the Change of Zone request. PC Report No. 9 Communication 87 Bill 26 Page 4 of 4 Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 26 and recommends it pass first reading. and arcs HOES ae~E Ex Respectfully submitted, FORD X HIGA X COMMITTEE ON//P/L~/A/-NNING HOFFMANN X C/~'"' IKEDA X ~ JACOBSON X NAEOLE X K. ANGEL PILAGO AIR PII.AGO X YAGONG X PC REPORT NO. 9 ros[~oro x ADOPTED: FFA 7 ~ 207