HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 137 08/04/1998 1996-1998 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: August 4, 1998 Re: C-911/Bill No. 271
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 2:52 p.m.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 271, transmitted by Mayor Stephen K.
Yamashiro per Communication No. 911, dated June 29, ] 998, regarding the change of zone request by
Joni J. Metzler Profit Sharing Plan at Puepuehu, North Kohala, Hawaii, TMK: 5-4-7: Portion of 2,
reports as follows:
Bill No. 271 amends Section 25-8-9 (Hawi-Kapaau Zone Map), Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) of
the Hawaii County Code, by changing the district classification of approximately 31,591 square feet of
land from a Single Family Residential (RS-15) to a Village Commercial (CV-10) zoned district.
The rectangular shaped subject property, owned in fee by the applicant, is located at the southwest corner
of the Akoni Pule Highway and Kynnersley Road intersection. "fhe applicant proposes to develop a
4,500 square foot single story structure with accompanying parking and landscaping on a portion of this
vacant and unused site. Based on the coning code standards, Section 25-4-51(a) (3), the 4,500 square
foot building will require 15 parking stalls, bat the actual parking requirements will be determined at the
time of Plan Approval. The objective is to provide office-retail space in the growing North Kohala real
estate market. The subject property has a 2,036 square foot road parcel previously reserved for future
road widening, and a net developable area of 29,555 square feet. The proposed development will occur
on lot 1 of the proposed subdivision of this parcel identified as SUB 97-098. The applicant proposes to
construct the building within two years after the approval of the change of zone, and the anticipated cost
of the stricture and associated improvements is $350,000.
Access to the subject parcel will be from Kyrmersley Road and Akoni Pule Highway, astate-owned
highway with pavement width varying between 30-40 feet with a road right-of--way width of 80 feet.
These two access points will allow an efficient traffic pattern that will minimize impacts to either of the
two roadway systems.
Electrical service and cable service will be provided to the site via overhead lines on Akoni Pule
Highway fronting the north side of the site. Water is provided by an 8-inch transmission main along the
Akoni Pule Highway on the north side of the site. Wastewater will he disposed of by individual
wastewater systems.
Soils within the project area are classified as Kohala Series by the IJ.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil
Conservation Service. 'fhe Kohala Series consists ofwell-drained silty clays that formed in material
from basic igneous rock influenced by volcanic ash. Permeability is moderately rapid, runoff is slow to
medium, with 0 to 3 percent slopes. The erosion hazard is slight to moderate. This soil is used mostly for
PG 137 Page 2 August 4, 1998
irrigated sugarcane. Small areas are used for pasture, orchards, and truck crops. The State Department
of Agriculture's Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawaii (ALISH) classifies the land as
existing urban development. Soils within the subject property are classified as "U" (Urban uses) for
agricultural productivity by the Land Study Bureau.
There are no historic sites present on the parcel which was graded many years ago. The grass has been
continuously mowed and maintained in a manicured condition at a height of less than 1 inch. There is a
border of ironwood trees along the frontage with Kynnersley Road. There are three coconut palms and
tour plumeria trees located in this tree line as well. The only observed faunal activity was field mice,
feral and domestic cats and domestic dogs.
Lands to the north are zoned Commercial (CV-10 and CN-LO) and Single Family Residential (RS-l5).
bands to the west are zoned Single Family Residential (RS-15) and Commercial (CV-10). The lands to
the north, east and west have a mix of commercial and single family residential uses. The lands to the
south are in single family residential uses.
Your Committee had some concerns about making the left tum from Kynnersley Road onto the state
highway. The corner lot has a high bank, which makes visibility poor, so the driver has to ease into the
intersection before executing the tum. Your Committee had checked with the State Department of
Transportation about this intersection, and since they had no complaints about it, there are no immediate
plans to improve the intersection.
Although the Department of Public Works, via a communication to the Planning Department, suggested
that Kynnersley Road should be improved along the property's frontage; and that curb, gutter, and
sidewalk construction, pavement widening, any necessary transitions and striping drainage
improvements, and relocation of utilities should be performed along this frontage, the Planning
Commission did not concur with Public Works because the neighborhood currently does not have any of
these improvements.
The Police Department, via a communication to the Planning Department, suggested that "no left turn"
be permitted from the westbowtd lane of travel on Akoni Pule Highway because of its close proximity to
the Akoni Pule Highway intersection with the cross streets of Kynnersley Road and Union Mill Road,
but the Department of Transportation disagreed. The Police also noted that "Visibility is a problem
when accessing Akoni Pule Highway via Kytmersley Road and Union Mill Road", and "recommended
that the State Highways Division seek ways to eliminate this problem."
Your Committee also questioned the comments from the Department of Water Supply, which limits the
maximum water usage to 600 gallons per day, and the applicant's agent stated that it should be sufficient
for the proposed development.
PC-137 Page 3 August 4, 1998
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the intent and purpose of Bill No. 271 and recommends it
pass first reading.
bh
Respectfully submitted,
- COMMITTE' ~ NI
Y JEA LEITHEAD-TODD, HAIR
PC REPORT NO. 137
ADOPTED: AUG 1 9 1998