HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 016 02/21/2007 2006-2008 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: February 21, 2007 Re: Comm. No. 156Bi11 No. 44
PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & 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. 44, reports as follows:
Bill No. 44, transmitted via Communication No. 156 from Mayor Harry Kim, dated February 1,
2007, presents an amendment to Chapter 25 (Zoning Code), initiated by the Planning Director.
Bill No. 44 seeks to amend Section 25-8-Z (North and South Kona District Zone Map), Article 8,
Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition), by changing the
District Classification from Agricultural - 1 Acre (A-la) to Open (O) at Pu`uanahulu, North
Kona, Hawaii, covered by Tax Map Key 7-1-5: 9 and 7-1-7: 44-47.
Communication No. 44 reports that the Hawaii County Planning Commission, after a duly held
public hearing on January 19, 2007, recommends approval of changing the district classification
from Agricultural 1-acre (A-la) to an Open (O) district for approximately 182.9621 acres of land
as required by Condition C of Change of Zone Ordinance No. 02 106.
The Commission concurred with the Planning Director's reasons for recommending a favorable
consideration of this matter. Communication No. 156 transmits the following findings and
recommendations:
1. The area involved includes the Big Island Country Club golf course at Pu`uanahulu
Homesteads, North Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-1-5: 9 and 7-1-7: 44-47. The landowners
are Big Island Country Club Homes, LLD and Pu`uanahulu Community Association
(parcel 9).
2. The purpose of the request is to comply with Condition C of Ordinance No. 02 106 which
requires the reclassification of lands comprising the 27-hole golf course, the community
park and related recreational facilities into an Open-zoned district, upon the issuance of
Final Subdivision Approval.
3. Condition C of Ordinance No. 02 106 states:
PC Report No. 16
Communication 156
Bi1144
Page 2 of 3
"C. Plans for the proposed subdivision shall be submitted to the Planning Department
and Final Subdivision Approval secured within five (5) years from the effective date of
rezoning determined in Condition B. As represented and agreed to by the applicant, the
proposed residential-agricultural subdivision shall not exceed a maximum limit of 106
one to five-acre sized lots. Prior to the issuance of Final Subdivision approval of any
portion of the subject property, except for consolidation and resubdivision of existing
parcels, the applicant shall submit to the Planning Director to initiate a change of zone
application to reclassify all lands comprising the 27-hole golf course, the community park
and related recreational facilities into an Open-zoned District classification, and the
director shall initiate such rezoning upon the issuance of final subdivision approval."
At the February 21, 2007 Planning Committee meeting, no statements were received from the
public.
There was discussion as to why the Change of Zone request was being done at this point in time
and not at the time of the original ordinance. Planning Director Yuen stated he guesses it may
have been that if it turned out the project could not be implemented as planned, the developer did
not want to be left with an "Open" zoning. Mr. Yuen noted the property was originally rezoned
in early 1990's and several amendments, mostly extensions of time, have carried this matter
through to the current administration. Mr. Yuen also noted he believed the permit covers a 27-
hole golf course but that the 18-hole portion is what's being rezoned now.
Committee Chair Pilago noted his support of the rezoning, confirming that it included the 18-
hole golf course, a community center and fire station which were all part of the agreement at the
time the application initially came forward. Mr. Yuen stated that the volunteer fire station and
community center were conditions of the rezoning.
Committee Chair Pilago said that the resolution that was previously adopted by the council to
delay rezonings in North and South Kona applies to this area and that the reason he supports this
application despite the resolution is that it serves the public good by including a community
center and fire station with some recreational aspects with respect to the golf course. Chair
Pilago stated that he personally did not see any conflict between the resolution to delay rezoning
and the approval of this request because he views this in terms of the public good. Director
Yuen also noted that this change of zone is also mandated by a prior rezoning and is in fact, for
the overall good that the area be rezoned to Open.
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. 16
Communication 156
BiI144
Page 3 of 3
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 44 and
recommends it pass first reading.
and
AYES NOES A&E EX RaSpeetflllly sullnutted,
FORD X
HIGA X COMMITTEE ON G
H.OFFMANN X ~ F
II~DA X
JACOB50N X ` L 1
NAEOLE X K. ANGEL PILA ,CHAIR
PII,AGO X
YAGONG X PC REPORT NO. 16
YoslmoloTO x AnoPTED: MAR (1 9 207