HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0795.001 1996-1998
yMiv,os a~ Virginia Goldstein
Director
Stephen K. Yamashiro
mayor
Russell Kokubun
Deputy Direcmr
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PLANNING DEPARTMENT
25 Aupuni Street, Room 109 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252
(808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
J
May 1, 1998
Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman
and Members of the County Council
County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Chairman Arakaki and Members:
Change of Zone Application (REZ 97-17)
Applicant: James McCully
Request: ML-20 to MCX-20
Tax Mao Key; 1-6-3:portion of 5
Attached for your information are the Planning Commission Minutes of January 16, 1998 and
March 20, 1998, regarding James McCully's Change of Zone Application.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Planning Department.
Sincerely,
irginia Goldstein, Director
Planning Department
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MAY i998
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAII
MINUTES
January 16, 1998
The Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:37 a.m. in the Hilo Lagoon Centre,
Conference Room #145, 101 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii, with Chairman Kevin M. Balog
presiding.
PRESENT: Kevin M. Balog
Richard Baker, Jr. (left at 12:05 p.m.)
Geraldine Giffin
Mary Katayama (left at 7:34 p.m.)
Lin McIntosh
Mildred Mosher
James Souza
Leonard Tanaka (left at 7:10 p.m.)
Virginia Goldstein, Planning Director
Norman Hayashi, Program Planning Manager (left at 4:30 p.m.)
Alice Kawaha, Staff Planner
Phyllis Fujimoto, Staff Planner
Susan Gagorik, Staff Planner (left at 4:30 p.m.)
Fred Giannini, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Casey Yanagihara representing Donna Kiyosaki, Department of Public Works
Keith Okamoto representing Milton Pavao, Department of Water
Supply (left at 12:05 p.m.)
Bill Atkins representing Milton Pavao, Department of Water
Supply (from 1:56 p.m.)
The Chair introduced the Commissioners and staff to members of the public.
Bishop Reef Tauati gave the blessings to the Commission.
RECESSED At 9:42 a.m., it was moved by Commissioner McIntosh and
seconded by Commissioner Mosher that the meeting be
recessed at this time to review Corporation Counsel's January 13, 1998 opinion. Motion was
unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance.
RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 9:47 a.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE The Commission took up the following under administrative
MATTEB matter:
It was moved by Commissioner McIntosh and seconded by Commissioner Katayama that the
public hearing be continued. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all
Commissioners in attendance.
CHANGE OF ZONE The Commission took this item up at 4:33 p.m. with
JAMES M . Y approximately 7 people from the public in attendance.
KEAAU,
PUNA
APPLICANT: JAMES MCCULLY - Application for a Change of Zone by changing the
district classification from Limited Industrial (ML-20) to Industrial-Commercial Mixed
(MCX-20) for approximately 14.234 acres of land. The property is located approximately one
mile east of the Keaau Town Center at the end of Milo Street, in the vicinity of the former
Puna Sugar Company Mill site at Keaau, Puna, Hawaii, TMK: 1-6-3:5.
Ms. Gagorik oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on
the presentation map, summarized the request, and noted the Planning Director's denial
recommendation.
The applicant, James McCully, and his representative, Sidney Fuke, were in attendance.
Mr. Fuke gave some background information, noting the applicant would have requested
MCX zoning if it existed at the time they applied for a rezoning last year. He distributed a
colored copy of the existing General Plan LUPAG Map for the City of Hilo and Keaau areas,
noting the areas zoned industrial, and, also, an excerpt from the County General Plan
regarding rural and urban designations, noting that the designations correspond to the kinds of
uses that could be considered with the GP designations for high, medium, and low density
areas. He questioned if the MCX zoning is not allowed in this area where it says on the
General Plan it can be considered, then where can it be considered in the town of Keaau based
on the existing General Plan? He stressed that they were requesting industrial zoning, not
commercial zoning, categorized by the letter "M."
Mr. Fuke said the issues they have to look at is that if it is consistent with the General Plan in
terms of where growth should be directed to and then how would the growth match up with
the policies of impact to infrastructure and surrounding areas. Regarding the infrastructure, he
said the Keaau Bypass road will be a reality in two or less years and the impacts would be the
same whether it is MCX or ML zoning, referring to the traffic study recommending
installation of ducts, and installing the traffic lights when warrants (number of accidents or
volume of traffic) justify it. Regarding the impacts to surrounding area, he said it would be
positive and referred to the settlement agreement with Helco and the petition in support of the
application from the camp residents submitted into the record. Regarding the impact to the
Keaau commercial core, he noted that what was being proposed was an industrial rezoning
request and even if it were for commercial uses, the General Plan talks about providing
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alternative areas so people can have choices. He said if there were significant impacts, a large
group of people would be coming out today testifying they do not want this project.
Mr. Fuke then stated he has prepared proposed findings and conditions if the Commission
looks favorably on the request.
Director Goldstein agreed with Mr. Fuke that the project is not inconsistent with the General
Plan; nevertheless, that is looking at it in a particular perspective. She said the other
perspective to look at is where the overall town core might be located so that the commercial
uses are focused in that area, noting the ML zoning districts also allow for some amount of
commercial kinds of uses.
In response to Chairman Balog's inquiry, Director Goldstein said that the Planning Department
was looking at urban expansion more on the mauka side of the highway, and one thing to
consider is allowing access for this development would defeat the whole purpose of a bypass
highway.
There was some discussion on the allowable uses within the ML and MCX zoning districts.
Mr. Fuke noted that the General Plan Long Range Plan shows residential uses all the way up
to the bypass. He questioned wouldn't the Commission want to have the lightest of industrial
uses closest to the residential area?
David Taylor, President of the Puna Community Council and Puna Traffic Safety Council who
submitted written testimonies into the record, stated that they opposed most vehemently the
proposed change that would negatively impact the flow of traffic along the bypass road, noting
that the proposed rezoning could allow a K-Mart, etc. that would draw tremendous traffic to
the area. He said he did not know how anyone could make an educated determination of what
the traffic flow will be until the elementary and high schools are in and that the commercial
center has already been identified and should remain as such. He said the proposal would be
inconsistent with the Puna Community Plan and it would not make good planning sense to
have these two areas separated by what they see almost as a freeway that should not be crossed
at all.
Roy S. Blackshear of W. H. Shipman. Inc. strongly recommended denial of the application.
He felt business and commercial functions should be concentrated in a central area and a
bypass should be built without any traffic hindrances.
Robert Saunders, president of W. H. Shipman, Inc. said there already is a large inventory of
such available zoned lands in Puna, the proposal would defeat the purpose of a bypass and
create a major traffic jam, and the proposal could allow a K-Mart. He noted the Commission
should look at the proposal from a Puna Regional standpoint.
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In response to the public testimony, Mr. Fuke said that there is no question if one is looking at
numbers that there are available vacant industrial and commercial lands in Keaau, noting 60
percent of commercially zoned lands in Puna are owned by Shipman; however, if the amount
of developable property is a criteria to make a decision to approve or deny a request, there is
no way one can justify any rezonings on this island. He pointed out the General Plan policies
talk about providing opportunities in terms of location, competition and giving people an
alternative. He said if the State had concerns about access points, they should have considered
service roads; but the die is cast and Milo Street is an existing roadway. He said Mr. McCully
proceeded with the ML and subsequently MCX rezoning because he was released from the
June 20, 1996 covenants stating he would refrain from seeking any special permit for
industrial or commercial uses on the property. He added there was not much concern by the
State Department of Transportation because of their plans to address the traffic situation.
Mr. Saunders pointed out that when the decision was made to approve of the ML zoning, he
did not believe the traffic report looked at the potential for a home depot or other major traffic
attractors, noting W. H. Shipman, Inc. did not have opportunity to look into that at the time
the approval was given.
Chairman Balog said there is no guarantee a traffic signal light will be installed by the State as
they could require left- and right-turn ins, and only right-turn out, with pocket lanes to hold
the traffic.
Mr. Fuke reiterated that the MCX zoning was not in existence when the applicant applied for
ML zoning. In response to Commissioner McIntosh's inquiry, Mr. Giannini said there has
been no written order by Judge Ibarra that the new Zoning Code was adopted improperly.
Chairman Balog suggested in the ten-year General Plan Review the Department look at
expanding the high density area in Keaau. Director Goldstein felt the Commission should look
at not only the high density area but what the General Plan suggests in terms of looking at the
urban expansion area so that the overall growth should be more on the mauka side towards
Kurtistown rather than the makai side of the Keaau-Pahoa Highway. Mr. Fuke disagreed with
the Planning Director and said the General Plan industrial designation (gray) is appropriate for
this development.
Commissioner Mosher said she could not see the Commission reversing its decision a few
months earlier, to which Mr. McCully said he did not view it as a reversal but a clarification
of uses appropriate to the property and meeting the needs of the community.
Mr. Fuke gave the analogy of one coming in for an RS-10 zoning and later coming in for an
RS-15 where the basic intent is residential, and in their case it's industrial. He said the
argument they were trying to make is that this form of industrial while still consistent with
General Plan's overall objectives would better meet the community's needs, noting the
infrastructure concerns would be addressed, no different than how the existing zoning is.
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In response to Director Goldstein's inquiry, Mr. McCully noted that he would like to build an
in-door soccer facility, although he has no funds at present; and although he has no contracts
signed, people in the community indicated their interests were more for the MCX zoning.
RECESSED At 6:24 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Tanaka and
seconded by Commissioner Mosher that the meeting be
recessed at this time to review Mr. Fuke's proposed approval recommendation with
conditions. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in
attendance.
RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 6:35 p.m.
It was moved by Commissioner Tanaka and seconded by Commissioner McIntosh that the
public hearing be closed. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all
Commissioners in attendance.
Commissioner Tanaka noted what touched him in the various presentations was creating
opportunities for the people in the area, especially those in the 8 1/2 mile camp. He pointed
out that the MCX zoning is the lighter of all industrial zoned designations, and the traffic
concerns would be addressed based on the traffic impact study.
It was moved by Commissioner Tanaka and seconded by Commissioner McIntosh to send a
favorable recommendation to the County Council for the reasons and with the conditions
recommended by Mr. Fuke, with Condition E reworded to clarify that an overall landscaping
master plan for the industrial zone area should include a landscaping buffer along the perimeter
of the subject property. In response to Commissioner McIntosh's inquiry, Mr. Giannini
advised against imposing a maximum lot size to ensure against massive retail uses at this time
as he was not certain the Code allowed it, noting he could have an opinion to give to the
County Council for them to consider. Commissioner Souza felt the question was orderly
growth and there were enough such zoned districts within the town of Keaau, noting the Puna
people have worked hard to put in a bypass road to keep it free and clear of traffic
interruptions. Commissioner Katayama said her reason for opposing the motion is because of
the bypass road, noting the ML zoning does allow for a variety of uses. Commissioner
Mosher stated she could not support the motion as she felt there needed to be controlled
growth, the Commission should follow the master plan adopted for Keaau, and the people of
Puna should be given the opportunity to use that bypass road as it was planned to be.
Commissioner McIntosh said if she followed the Commission's logic now, it appeared the
Planning Commission should not have allowed the ML zoning to begin with. Commissioner
Tanaka said that a traffic signal will be a reality in the area and he felt there needed to be a
safe ingress/egress for people wanting to get onto the Keaau-Pahoa Highway, the proposal will
create opportunities for people and give them a choice, and the existing uses in the surrounding
area are already mixed. Ms. Kawaha said the Condition N proposed by the applicant would
not apply as the subject property is within the SLU Urban District and not within the SLU
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~ a
Agricultural District. A roll call vote was taken and motion did not carry with four ayes
(Tanaka, Giffin, McIntosh, Balog), three noes (Katayama, Mosher, and Souza), and one
absent and excused (Baker).
The Chair, Planning Director, and Mr. Giannini reviewed the courses of action available to the
Commission.
Chairman Balog felt the proposal would service the community already surrounded by mixed
uses. He said he would not want, nor would the applicant, a Costco or Walmart and he did
not think the proposal would take away anything from the central location of Keaau town.
It was moved by Commissioner Mosher and seconded by Commissioner McIntosh that the
hearing be reopened so that Commissioner Mosher could ask a question. Motion was
unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance.
In response to Commissioner Mosher's inquiry, Mr. McCully said his initial plan is to develop
the two lots fronting Milo Street, one for himself for a small business and one he is in
negotiations with a user, noting his carrying capacity right now is the Milo Street
improvements.
Mr. Fuke shared with the Commission a map showing the location of the bypass and access
roads in close proximity to an existing community.
Mr. Taylor reiterated the proposal will create a tremendous impact almost immediately and
encouraged the Commission to give them a chance with the bypass. He said if ten or more
years down the line when Railroad Avenue or 15th Avenue becomes an alternative route for
Puna the rezoning might be appropriate then,
it was moved by Commissioner Souza and seconded by Commissioner McIntosh that the
public hearing be closed. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all
Commissioners in attendance.
It was moved by Commissioner Souza and seconded by Commissioner Mosher to send no
recommendation to the County Council. A roll call vote was taken and motion did not carry
with three ayes (Souza, Mosher, Katayama), four noes (Giffin, McIntosh, Tanaka, Balog),and
one absent and excused (Baker).
It was moved by Commissioner McIntosh and seconded by Commissioner Tanaka to continue
this item to the next Hilo meeting to hopefully have nine Commissioners present. A roll call
vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (McIntosh, Tanaka, Giffin, Katayama,
Mosher, Balog), one no (Souza), and one absent and excused (Baker).
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Mr. Giannini noted that as the hearing has been closed the Commissioners would have to
reopen the hearing if it wishes to take further testimony.
Commissioner Tanaka was excused from the meeting at this time.
SPECIAL PERMIT The Commission took this item up at 7:10 p.m. with
TOYAMA QAR12ENS no one from the public in attendance.
HAWAII CORP. DBA
NANI MAU GARDENS
WAIAKEA,
SOUTH HILO
APPLICANT: TOYAMA GARDENS HAWAII CORPORATION DBA NANI MAU
GARDENS - Request to amend Special Permit No. 247 (Docket No. SP73-159) by deleting
30± acres of land from the 53~:L acres under this permit. The request would be in compliance
with Condition Nos. 12 and 13 of said permit. The property is located in Panaewa Farm Lots
at the corner of Makalika Street and Awa Street, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii,
TMK: 2-2-48:13.
(SEE EXHIBIT F)
PC RULE 15 The Commission took this item up at 7:14 p.m. with
PLANNING one person from the public in attendance.
COMMISSION
PROJECT DISTRICTS
PLANNING COMMISSION INITIATED - Continued hearing on the proposed amendment
(Draft 2) to the County of Hawaii Planning Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure by
the adoption of Rule No. 15 relating to Project Districts. The proposed rule is the result of the
adoption of the County of Hawaii Chapter 25, Zoning Code, 1996.
Ms. Kawaha noted that Councilman Curtis Tyler did not submit his written testimony and
proposed on Page 3, Section 15-7(b), the deletion of the words, "Commission through the."
There was no one from the public testifying on this agenda item.
It was moved by Commissioner McIntosh and seconded by Commissioner Katayama that the
public hearing be closed. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all
Commissioners in attendance.
It was moved by Commissioner McIntosh and seconded by Commissioner Katayama that the
Commission adopt Rule 15, Project Districts, Draft 2, with an amendment to Page 3, deleting
the words, "Commission through the" in Section 15-7(b), whereby it would read "A request
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PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAII
MINUTES
March 20, 1998
The Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. in the County Building,
Councilroom - Room 201, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii, with First Vice-Chairman Leonard
Tanaka calling the meeting to order.
PRESENT: Kevin M. Balog (From 10:05 a.m.) ABSENT: Mary Katayama
Richard Baker, Jr.
Geraldine Giffin
Lin McIntosh
Mildred Mosher
James Souza
Leonard Tanaka
Virginia Goldstein, Planning Director
Norman Hayashi, Planning Program Manager
Alice Kawaha, Staff Planner
Phyllis Fujimoto, Staff Planner
Susan Gagorik, Staff Planner
Fred Giannim, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Casey Yanagihara representing Donna Kiyosaki, Department of Public Works
Glenn Ahuna representing Milton Pavao, Department of Water
Supply (From 11:32 a.m.)
First Vice-Chairman Tanaka introduced the Commissioners and staff to members of the public.
ADMINISTRATIVE The following were discussed under administrative matters:
MATTERS
Thomas J. Petersen's February 9 1998 Correspondence regarding Use Permit No. 65 granted
to Tenri o Kakako Kyokai Church - Ms. Kawaha gave a chronology of the permit, noting
that the applicant has not complied with Condition 8 that the driveway access on Iiwipolena
Road be closed and access be taken from Hokulani Street should the Planning Director
determine that it negatively impacts the community. George Yokoyama, executive director of
the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council and honorary member of the church in
existence for over 80 years, stated that the church uses do not negatively impact the
community, noting there are only 13 vehicles on the first Monday of the month and for their
grand opening there were 17. Walter Ah Hee said the Planning Director did not make a site
inspection before making her determination and that it would not be feasible to use Hokulam
Street as an entrance because of the existing hill and rocky condition. In response to Bonnie
First Vice-Chairman Tanaka suggested Mr. Wurdeman's presence at the continued hearing.
The meeting was turned over to Chairman Balog at this time.
Ms. Mann suggested the B&B issue be handled under the home occupation declaration which
would not go to the Commission. Mr. Giannini said the problem with home occupation is that
it is supposed to be limited to things such as there will not be an increase in traffic or impact
on the community. In response to Ms. Mann's comment that there was a court case that said a
B&B establishment did not cause an increase in traffic, Mr. Giannini said he did not think it
could be taken as a precedent and he thought the case was that there was no evidence on the
record that there would be a traffic impact, noting in another court case the record showed
there would be a traffic impact.
RECESSED At 12:55 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner McIntosh
and seconded by Commissioner Tanaka that the meeting
be recessed at this time. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all
Commissioners in attendance.
RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 2:22 p.m.
CHANGE OF ZONE The Commission took this item up at 2:22 p.m. with
JAMES MCCULLY approximately 18 people from the public in attendance.
KEAAU,
PUNA
APPLICANT: JAMES MCCULLY - Continuation of the application for a Change of Zone by
changing the district classification from Limited Industrial (ML-20) to Industrial-Commercial
Mixed (MCX-20) for approximately 14.234 acres of land. The property is located
approximately one mile east of the Keaau Town Center at the end of Milo Street, in the
vicinity of the former Puna Sugar Company Mill site at Keaau, Puna, Hawaii, TMK: 1-6-3:5.
Commissioner Souza rose to a point of order that a motion to defer or continue must be made
before a final vote to approve or deny an application is taken, noting the Commission
continued this item until today's meeting to hopefully have nine Commissioners present.
Mr. Giannini explained that where the Commission's role is quasi-adjudicatory in manner or is
a permitting agency, the practice has been if the Commission is unable to get five votes the
action of the Commission was considered a denial; however, in the case of rezonings where
the Commission's role is advisory, the practice has been to continue until the Commission
could get a majority to make a recommendation to the County Council. Commissioner Souza
recommended the Commission discuss this matter further under administrative matters.
Commissioner Tanaka commented that the County Council is looking to the Commission to
make a recommendation, as evidenced today where there are two rezoning applications which
the County Council have sent back to the Planning Commission for review and
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recommendation; and he noted that he felt it would be in the best interest of the applicant to
get a majority vote either way, although he would agree perhaps after two months the
Commission should move on if a decision cannot be made. Commissioner McIntosh agreed
with Commissioner Souza that Mr. Giannini be instructed to do further research on the
question of whether or not a motion to defer or continue can or cannot be made after any other
motions have been voted upon.
Based upon the fact that the Commission did receive Sure Save's March 19, 1998, written
testimony and to give the applicant an opportunity to comment on it, it was moved by
Commissioner McIntosh and seconded by Commissioner Tanaka that the public hearing be
reopened. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in
attendance.
RECESSED At 2:41 p.m., it was moved by Commissioner Tanaka and
seconded by Commissioner McIntosh that the meeting be
recessed at this time to allow parties to review the written testimonies from Sure Save
Supermarket and the State Department of Transportation. Motion was unanimously carried by
a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance.
RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 2:46 p.m.
The applicant, James McCully, and his representative, Sidney Fuke, were in attendance.
Mr. Fuke apologized to the Commission for his inadvertent error in listing the January 13,
1998 recommendation as that of the Planning Director and then distributed to the Commission
an amended recommendation, along with a smaller version of the location map posted on the
bulletin board. He highlighted the basic issues raised by Sure Save Supermarkets, the State
Department of Transportation and the Planning Director.
On the issue regarding the overall land use standpoint, Mr. Fuke said the subject property is in
conformity with the General Plan as it designates the area industrial, the only zoning categories
that could be considered under the General Plan industrial categories were light industrial,
heavy industrial, and mixed-commercial industrial, and they could not be faulted if the Zoning
Code allows for commercial uses under the MCX zoning. He distributed several letters of
support from people and businesses in the surrounding area. He pointed out that if there are
recommendations for denial, it was almost always on whether it conformed with the General
Plan and whether the infrastructure was adequate, not because there were "x" acres of already
zoned lands, noting the infrastructure concerns have been addressed.
On the issue of the traffic, Mr. Fuke summarized their traffic report. He explained that the
plans right now include installing underground conduits for eventual installation of traffic
signal lights when the schools come on line. He said the impact from their development will
be minimal inasmuch as an intersection with proper synchronization is already planned for the
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area by the State, noting the State earlier contemplated an overpass for this area to
accommodate pedestrian safety but found it too expensive and found that a traffic signal light
would be more heavily used. He said that the 8 1/2 mile camp residents were in support of
their application as it will provide a safe ingress/egress for their area.
Mr. Fuke then summarized his amended approval recommendation he distributed to the
Commission, noting they will comply with the Land Use Commission boundary amendment
process, provide a landscaping buffer, and fund and/or construct conduits for the traffic lights
at the Milo Street intersection, as well as pay their fair share for the traffic signal system in the
area. He said the bypass would have to completely skirt the town to maintain its integrity.
Filomena Sumarnap representing the 8 1/2 Mile Camp Association read and submitted written
testimony into the record in strong support of the application.
Carl Okuyama representing Sure Save Supermarkets read and submitted written testimony into
the record opposing the application. He clarified that they do not oppose business
developments but would like to see developments done within the town core and so that the
bypass will remain a bypass. He pointed out that recently established businesses in the area
were unaware of this change of zone application.
Warren Yamamoto, traffic engineer with M&E Pacific, said the bypass is expected to be in
place in 1999; and regardless of what zoning is allowed for the subject property, a traffic
signal will be required by the year 2000 because of the projected school enrollment in the area.
In response to Commissioner Souza's inquiry, Ms. Gagorik said the Planning Department has
continued to emphasize that commercial developments should be maintained in the Keaau town
area or in the State Land Use Urban designation and the Department's position has been if the
County were to allow commercial developments in the area it opens the door for a lot more
expansion in this area which is still under State Land Use Agricultural designation. Director
Goldstein noted that she does recognize that the MCX designation allows for commercial and
industrial uses.
In response to Commissioner McIntosh's inquiry, Ms. Gagorik said that traffic is also an issue
in land use planning. She pointed out that with commercial zoning there is a higher density in
terms of uses which impacts the whole traffic pattern for the area, noting that in the past the
area was mainly used for agriculture and the roads were canehaul roads.
Commissioner Tanaka said if the Planning Department is saying all developments Hilo side of
the bypass road should be strictly industrial and Volcano side should be commercial perhaps
the Department needed to look at where does the MCX fit in, otherwise there should not be
the MCX zoning at all. He said the difference of allowable uses in the MCX and ML zonings
were minimal, traffic signalization will be required whether or not this property is developed,
and any traffic impact is more than satisfactorily addressed by the applicant's proposal. He
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questioned whether the Keaau core and present infrastructure is able to handle additional
developments.
Commissioner Giffin agreed with Commissioner Tanaka that the traffic issue has been resolved
and that the bypass road is simply mislabeled.
There being no further public testimonies offered on this agenda item, it was moved by
Commissioner Tanaka and seconded by Commissioner McIntosh that the public hearing be
closed. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance.
It was moved by Commissioner Tanaka and seconded by Commissioner Giffin to send a
favorable recommendation to the County Council with conditions as recommended by the
applicant's representative, with emphasis on Condition E on the landscaping buffers and
Condition J on mitigation improvements on traffic, and the deletion of former Condition N
regarding compliance with Chapter 205. Commissioner Souza said he did not support the
motion because of the need for orderly growth, the residents in Pahoa, Kapoho, Hawaiian
Paradise Park really looked forward to the bypass road which will be mislabeled if the
Commission allows such a development, and that he felt commercial activity should be kept
within the core of the Keaau Town Center area and away from the bypass road, noting just
because a person has property right next to the bypass road does not give him the right to start
development. Commissioner McIntosh felt calling the roadway a bypass road was probably a
misnomer and the Commission was only talking about a change from Limited Industrial to
Industrial-Commercial, not Ag to Urban, noting her feeling was that the increase in traffic was
minimal and it would not happen overnight. Chairman Balog noted that traffic signalization
will be required in the area whether or not the property is developed, the surrounding areas are
already being developed with mixed uses, the project will service the community, and the so-
called bypass road is not really a bypass road in his opinion. Commissioner Tanaka noted that
perhaps the bypass road was not as such since the schools, which has a 25 mph speed limit,
were planned along this route. Commissioner Mosher stated she has changed her opinion of
the project since her concerns on traffic have been addressed. A roll call vote was taken and
motion carried with six ayes (Tanaka, Giffin, McIntosh, Mosher, Baker and Balog), one no
(Souza) and one absent and excused (Katayama).
ORD. 90-144 The Commission took this item up at 3:36 p.m. with
WAINAKU approximately 18 people from the public in attendance.
CONGREGATION
OF JEHOVAH'S
WITNESSES
PAUKAA,
SOUTH HILO
APPLICANT: WAINAKU CONGREGATION OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES - Request for
an amendment to Condition B of Ordinance No. 90-144, which rezoned approximately 7.184
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