HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 062 01/23/2008 2006-2008 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: January 23, 2007 Re: Comm. No. 913Bi11 No. 217
PLACE: Cauncilroom
Ben Franklin Building
333 Kilauea Avenue, 2nd Floor
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 217, reports as follows:
Bill No. 217, transmitted via Communication No. 913 from Mayor Harry Kim, dated
December 27, 2007, presents a Change of Zone Request by DIEN-JUNG LIN NEKOBA, at
Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-36: 25 and 26.
Bill No. 2l7 seeks to amend Section 25-8-33 (City of Hilo Zone Map), Article 8, Chapter 2~
(Z.oning Code) of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition), by Changing the District
Classification from Single Family Residential 10,000 Square Feet (RS-10) to Neighborhood
Commercial 10,000 Square Feet (CN-10) at Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii.
Communication No. 913 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 7, 2007 and concurs with the Planning Director's reasons for recommending a
favorable consideration of this matter. Communication No. 913 transmits the following findings
and recommendations:
1. The subject properties are located south of Kekuanaoa Street, on the corner of Manono
and Hinano Street, Waiakea House Lots, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii.
2. Applicant is requesting a Change of Zone from Single-Family Residential 10,000 square
feet (RS-10) to Neighborhood Commercial 10,000 square feet (CN-10), for two
contiguous parcels of land. Parce125 is approximately 19,607 square feet, improved with
a two-story 2,555 square-foot dwelling, shed and landscaping. Parcel 26 is
approximately 20,164 square feet in size and improved with aone-story 836-square toot
dwelling, carport and landscaping. The combined area of Parcel 25 and Parcel 26 is
approximately 39,771 square feet.
3. Applicant intends to use existing structures to accommodate office space and provide
parking for employees and eight to ten passenger vans in conjunction with its retail
establishment and tour business/baseyard for "Green Travel & Tours, Inc."
PC Report No. 62
Communication 913
Bill 217
Page 2 of 3
4. There are two existing entrances along Kekuanaoa Street. Manono Street which is
approximately 60-feet wide, fronts Parce125 and Hinano Street which is approximately
40-feet wide, fronts Parcel 26. The Department of Public Works recommends
improvements to the entire frontage of Hinano Street with concrete curb, gutter, sidewalk
and drainage.
5. County water is available to the project area.
6. Electric and telephone services are available to the project site as well as County fire
stations, police and emergency medical services.
7. The Planning Director recommended favorably on this request based on the following:
• The Change of Zone request will conform to the goals, policies and standards of the
General Plan Economic and Land Use elements.
• The Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide (LUPAG) Map designates this area as
Medium Density Urban and the proposal would be consistent with the urban
designation.
• The Change of Zone request is not contrary to Chapter 205A, Hawaii Revised
Statutes relating to Coastal Zone Management as the subject properties are not
located within the SMA.
• There is no record of a designated public access to the shoreline or mountain areas
that traverses the site, no valued cultural, historical or natural resources exist on the
properties and there is no evidence of any traditional and customary native Hawaiian
rights being practiced on the site.
• The project area is located within Zone "X," an area determined to be outside the
500-year flood plain.
• Requisite of the Planning Director's favorable recommendation, there are fitteen
conditions that outline specific requirements for the proposed project.
At the Januazy 23, 2008 Planning Committee meeting, applicant and applicant's attorney, Steve
Lim, were present. Mr. Lim gave a brief presentation of applicant's proposal and noted that
when this matter came before the Planning Commission, concerns of neighbors were addressed
and arrangements satisfactory to the neighbors and applicant were reached.
Council Member Jacobson expressed concern regarding testimony submitted before the Planning
Commission relating to noise and hours of operation and how noise controls would be
implemented. Mr. Jacobson also noted concern regarding ensuring completion of curb, gutter
and sidewalk improvements at a future date.
Director Yuen stated that under a Neighborhood Commercial (CN) zoning, applicant is restricted
from using the site on a regular basis as a bus operation staging area and to park busses over
night. With regard to what mechanism is available to ensure completion of curb, gutter and
sidewalk requirements, Director Yuen stated the mechanism is when the applicant comes before
z
Communication 913
Bill 217
Page 3 of 3
the Planning Department with an application for Plan Approval, which is the check point when a
Planner reviews the Plan Approval application and determines compliance with conditions of the
change of zone ordinance.
Council Member Naeole disclosed that applicant was a landlord of hers in the past and that in
spite of that she felt she would be able to vote properly.
Council Member Ford's request for a description regarding the size of the passenger vans and
busses being utilized, Mr. Lim stated that the 15-passenger vans would be similar to that of
delivery vans and that the 25-passenger busses are like those used at airports to transport
personnel, that are much bigger and higher. Mr. Lim said that while bus and van operations may
occur on the property the vans and busses would be stored at the Silva Street location, except for
two vans individually owned by applicant.
Committee Chair Pilago noted applicant's show of good faith in discussions and compromising
with neighbors, being forthright and prompt in corrective actions and that as the result of these
actions, a positive recommendation from the Planning Department has been received.
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. 217 and
recommends it pass first reading.
and
eves rvoes w&E ex Respectfully submitted,
FORD X
HIGH X COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
HOFFMANN X
1KEDA X
JACOBSON X ~
NAEOLE X K. ANGEL PIL O, CHAIR
PILACO X
YAGONG X PC REPORT NO. 62
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: FEB O E 2~OB
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