HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 141 08/18/1998 1996-1998 REPORT OF THL
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: August 18, 1998 Re: C-938/Bill No. 279
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 2:38 p.m.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to t~~hich was referred Bill No. 279, transmitted by Mayor Stephen
K. Yamashiro per Communication No. 938, dated July 29, 1998, regarding the Planning Director
initiated chge of zone request at Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-4-29:13 to 31, 33 to
47, 49 to 58 and 2-4-60:1 to 33 reports as follows:
Bill No. 279 amends Section 25-8-33 (City of Hilo Zone Map), Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning
Code) of the Hawaii County Code, by changing the district classif cation of approximately 33.64
acres of land from a Single Family Residential (RS-15) to a Single Family Residential (RS-10)
and an Open (O) zoned district. Parcel 1 changes 25.948 acres from the RS-15 to the RS-10
zoned district, and Parcel 2 changes 7.692 acres from the RS-15 to the Open zoned district.
The subject area involves the existing Machado Acres Subdivision located between Haihai Street
and Ainaola Drive, adjacent and west of Maunakai Circle Subdivision. The subject properties
are owned in fee by various owners and the designated park site is owned by the Machado Acres
Association, comprised of each lot owner. Each affected property owner has given authorization
for the County of Hawaii Planning Director to initiate the change of zone request.
The purpose of the land use change is to designate the park site as an Open zoned district and the
remaining subdivision as a Single Family Residential (RS-10) zoned district. This would allow
each property owner to own in fey simple its minimum 10,000 square foot lot and separate each
owner from any liability on the common ar: a designated as the park site.
The land was originally leased from the Waiakea Mill Company and used for sugar cane
production. In 1947, the land was converted to ranching activities. Presently, Machado Acres
Subdivision consists of 80 lots with a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet. There are 67
single family dwellings, 13 vacant lots, and the undeveloped park site, consisting of
approximately 7.917 acres.
Soils on the subject area are identified by the Soil Survey Report of the Island of Hawaii as Olaa
Very Stony Clay Loam (OIT)) and Panaewa Very Rocky Silty Clay Loam (PeC) Series. The
Olaa series consists ofwell-drained silty clay loams that formed in volcanic ash. Olaa soils are
PC-141
PC-1 ~ l Page 2 August 18, 1998
used for the production of sugarcane. The Panaewa series consists of shallow, moderately well-
drained silty clay loams that formed in volcanic ash. Panaewa soils are used for sugarcane,
pasture, and. woodland. In both soil series, the permeability is rapid, runoff is slow, and the
erosion hazard is slight.
Because the subject area has been substantially altered by long-term sugarcane cultivation,
ranching activities, years of grading and other topographic modifications, and residential
development, there is no significant flora and fauna resources or habitats nor any archaeological
sites evidently remaining within the area.
Lands surrounding the subject area are primarily residential in nature with single family
dwellings and/or vacant lots. Lands to the north, east and south of the subject subdivision are
zoned Single Family Residential (RS-15), and lands to the west are zoned Single Family
Residential (RS-10). Adjacent and east of the subject area i:~ the 86-lot Maunakai Circle
Subdivision which was also developed under the Cluster Plan Development concept with 10,000
square foot lots. Lands to the south and on the Puna side of Haihai Street consist of the Palakiko
and Hale-O-Lani Subdivisions which are comprised of 15,x;00 square foot lots.
All utilities are available to the subject area. Wastewater generated by the existing subdivision is
handled on site by means of cesspools or individual septic systems meeting the approval of the
State Department of Health.
Your Committee had concerns about Condition C which states that the Department of Parks and
Recreation would "provide ~uinimal park improvements within five years from the date of
acceptance of the park dedication". Because some other parks have long-pending improvements,
it would be impossible to focus on this park; therefore, Your Committee recommended that
Condition C be deleted.
Your Committee concurs with the favorable recommendation of the Planning Director and the
Planning Commission that approval of the change of zone request would result in an appropriate
land use pattern.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the intent and purpose of Bill No. 279, as
amended to Bill No. 279, Draft 2, and recommends it pass first reading.
Respectfully submitted
X COMMIT T EE~N P NING ~
SEAN LEITHEAD-TODD, CHAIR
PC REPORT NO. 141
ADOPTED: SEP 0 2 1998 -