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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 040 07/24/2007 2006-2008 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: July 24, 2007 Re: Comm. No. 509/Bill No. 126 PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa 78-128 Ehukai Street Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 1:00 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 126, reports as follows: Bill No. 126, transmitted via Communication No. 509 from Mayor Harry Kim, dated June 21, 2007, presents a Change of Zone Request by FRANCIS and MARTHA RODILLAS at Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-5-040:018. Bill No. 126 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 Agricultural - 3 Acre (A-3 a) to Family Agricultural - 2 Acre (FA-2a) at Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, covered by Tax Map Key 2-5-040:018. Communication No. 509 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 June 5, 2007. The Commission concurred with the Planning Director's reasons for recommending favorable consideration of the request for change of zone. Communication No. 509 transmits the following findings and recommendations: 1. The subject property is approximately 4.852 acres in size and located along the northeast (makai) side of Akala Road, approximately 73 feet from the Akala Road-Kaumana Drive intersection in the vicinity of Kaumana Cave, Ponahawai, South Hilo, Hawaii. 2. Applicants aze requesting a Change of Zone from Agricultural 3-acre (A-3a) to a Family Agricultural 2-acre (FA-2a) district and intend to subdivide the subject property into two parcels of approximately 2-plus acres each, construct their home on one lot and reserve the other iot for their immediate family. 3. The estimated on and off-site cost of improvements would be neazly $250,000 in large part due to installation of approximately 130-feet right-of--way, a single private driveway off of Akala Road to enter/exit the parcel, installation of water meter(s) and installation of utility poles, if necessary. PC Report No. 40 CONIn11niC8UOn 509 Bill 126 Page 2 of 3 4. Access to the property is from Akala Road, a County owned and maintained roadway of approximately 18 feet of pavement within a 30-foot right-of--way. The City of Hilo Zone Map identifies Akala Road as a proposed 60-foot right-of--way, with a future 15-foot road widening setback on both sides of Akala Road. Applicants will be required to set aside a 15-foot future road widening setback along the portion of property that borders Akala Road. 5. County water is available for the proposed request. 6. All essential utilities are available to the property. Fire and medical services are available from the Kawailani Fire Station and police services from the Hilo Police Station. 7. The Planning Director recommended favorably on this request based on the following: The proposed change of zone request will conform to the goals, policies and standards of the Land Use and Economic General Plan Land Use elements and the General Plan LUPAG Map. • The Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) Map designates the property as Important Agricultural Land and a small portion in Low Density Urban. The Land Study Bureau's Detailed Land Classification System identifies soils within the property as "C" or "Fair" for agricultural productivity, as well as Existing Urban Development. the ALISH System classifies soils within the property as Prime Agricultural Lands. • The Change of Zone request is not contrary to Chapter 205A, Hawaii Revised Statutes relating to Coastal Zone Management as the subject property is located more than four miles from the nearest coastline and will not be impacted by coastal hazard and beach erosion • The request will not have a significant adverse impact to traditional and customary Hawaiian rights. As the site has been previously utilized for sugar can cultivation, it is unlikely that there are any valued cultural, historical and natural resources to be found. • According to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the majority of the project area is located in Zone "X", an area determined to be outside the 500-yeaz flood plain. There is a small area at the southern portion of the property in Flood Zone "A" which is the Special Flood Hazard Area inundated by the 100-year flood where base flood elevations have not been determined. • Requisite of the Planning Director's favorable recommendation for the change of zone request, are thirteen conditions contained in Bill No. 126 which outline specific requirements for the proposed project. Condition "D" prohibits construction of single-family dwellings or other substantial buildings within areas designated "A" by the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). PC Repor[ No. 40 ~~..,.,Y.,.,._.~.. _ Communication 509 Bill 126 Page 3 of 3 At the July 24, 2007 meeting, there were no statements from the public received regarding this agenda item. Applicants were present via video conference at the Hilo Council Chambers and gave a brief summary of their proposed application. Council Member Ikeda noted that the subject property is within his council district, saw no negative impacts regarding this request and asked the Council for a favorable consideration of applicants' request. Council Member Ford expressed her desire that applicants make assurances that they would contact the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers as instructed by the Department of Health and to make a determination whether or not a NPDES individual permit would be necessary for their proposed change of zone. Mrs. Rodillas stated it was their understanding that contact is to be made 180 days after Council approval of their application for change of zone and they would do so at that time. Your Committee concurs with the Planning Commission and the Planning Director's favorable recommendation for approval of the Change of Zone request. Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 126 and recommends it pass first reading. and AYES NOES A&E Ex Respectfully submitted, FORD X ffiGA X COIvIIvIITTEE ON PLANNING IiOFFMANN X ~ /J II~DA X JACOBSON X NAEOLE X K. ANGEL PII.A , Cl1AIIt PILAGO X YAGONG X PC REPORT NO. 40 YOSIIIMDTO x ADOPTEn: ~FP n