HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 049 05/06/1997 1996-1998 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: May 6, 1997 Re: C-281 ~ ~ '
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 1:45 p.m.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 81, transmitted by Mayor Stephen
K. Yamashiro per Communication No. 281, dated April 21, 1997, regarding the change of zone
request by Big Island Candies at Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK 2-2-34:67, 68, 69, 76, 77,
104 and 106, reports as follows:
Bill No. 81 amends Section 25-8-33 (City of Hilo 7.one Map), Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning
Code) by changing the district classification for approximately 3.34± acres of land from Single
Family Residential (RS-10) to General Commercial (CG-20) zoned district.
The subject properties are on ned by S. K Oda Trust, S. Russel Oda, Sam H. Oda, Aki Sadamoto
and Hatsumi Arita. All landowners have given written authorization to Sidney Fuke, Planning
Consultant, on behalf of Big Island Candies, Inc. to file the necessary request Change of Zone
application. Allan K. and [rma K. Ikawa have an agreement to purchase the subject properties
and would lease the properties to Hig Island Candies, Inc.
The subject properties arc located within the Waiakea House Lots 1st Series, approximately 100
feet to the north of Kekuanaoa Strcct and borders Hinano and Laukapu Streets where Big Island
Candies, Inc., a Hawaii corporation, intends to develop a new facility and relocate its existing
retail and production operation to the subject properties.
Big Island Candies, Inc. has hcen retailing deluxe cookies, baked products and candies to visitors
and island residents since 1977. Its present facilities, located on the mauka side of Kalanianaole
Street within the Kalanianaole Industrial area since 1989, is not readily suitable to allow for
expansion of its existing and planned operations.
The applicant proposes to construct a main two-story building, approximately 29,700 square feet,
which will have the ground leccl for retail and production activities and the second level will be
for offices, storage and employee facilitics_ including a fitness room. A 4,000-square foot
auxiliary building, connected by a courtyard and covered walkway, will accommodate four-1,000
square foot retail bays for other types of products.
Orchids of Hawaii, a floricultural husiness comprised of commercial offices, retail and
storage/packing areas, was established on the subject properties by the landowners from 1945 to
1985. The business was oriented to Lhc visitor industry as well as the residents of the County and
operated under the nonconforming provisions of the Zoning Code. An architectural office and
Paradise Plants Home and Garden Center was also established on the site as a nonconforming
use. However, Paradise Plant, has nun~cd to another location.
PC I2EPOKT NO.: 49
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PC-49 Page 2 May 6, 1997
The subject properties also contain a garden and greenhouses of the former floricultural business
which will be refurbished as part of the proposed development and two rental residences which
will be demolished due to their poor condition.
The Planning Director-initiated General Plan amendment to redesignate the subject properties
from Low Density Urban Development to High Density Urban Development is before Council
consideration for second and final reading.
The subject properties are portions of the Waiakea Houselots which was created by the Territory
of Hawaii in the early 1900's, with lot sizes ranging from 10,000± to 20,000± square feet. The
Waiakea Houselots area, encompassing approximately 200 acres of land, includes the land
bounded by Piilani Street, Kauoelehua Avenue, Kawili Street and Mililani Street.
Primary access for the proposed development of the subject properties will be provided by
Hinano Street, a county maintained roadway having a 40-foot wide right-of-way having a 16 foot
wide pavement with gravel/grassed shoulders. Access from Laukapu Street will be limited to
employee parking. According to the City of Hilo Zone Map, Hinano and Laukapu Streets are
identified as collector streets and are proposed to be increased to 50-foot rights-of-way.
According to the "Traffic Impact Analysis Report (June 1996), prepared by M & E Pacific, Inc.
for Che applicant, the proposed development is not expected to have an adverse traffic impact.
However, the Department of Public Works expressed concerns relating to the turning radius at
the intersection of Kekuanaoa Street and Hinano Street based that tour buses will access the
subject properties.
Water is available to the sub.jcct properties through a 6-inch waterline along Hinano and Laukapu
Streets.
Sewer lines, 8-inch in diameter, ace in place within all the roadways between Kekuanaoa Street
and Piilani Street. These lines connect to a 10-inch diameter collector along Kekuanaoa Street.
Municipal sewer system is planned to be installed for the entire Waiakea Houselots area.
Surrounding uses near the suhject properties are single family residences, multiple family
residences, retail stores, back institutions, offices and restaurant establishments, and the Atebara
Potato Chip Factory located along the cast side of Manono Street which is operating as a
nonconforming use.
The requirements of Chapter i43, HRS, relating to Environmental Impact Statements, were met
upon the completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement which assessed the potential
impacts on the proposed development The E[S was accepted and filed with the Office of
Environmental Quality Control and published in the January 8, 1997 OEQC Bulletin.
PC REPORT NO. 49
PC- 49 Page 3 May 6, 1997
Because the subject properties and surrounding areas have been extensively altered with urban
development, it is not anticipated that endangered or threatened candidate species of flora or
fauna aze located within the proposed development, nor has the subject properties been identified
as a significant botanical or biological habitat. It is also not anticipated that the proposed
development will have an adverse impact on cultural or historical resources.
The subject area has no severe topographic or geologic problems which cannot be properly
rectified or which would render the land unusable for the proposed use.
Your Committee concurs with the following reasons by the Planning Commission and the
Planning Director for recommending a favorable consideration for the change of zone request:
1. The zone request conforms with the goals, policies and standards of the General
Plan.
2. The zone request will be consistent with General Plan Land Use pattern
Allocation Guide (LUPAG) Map which will designate the area for High Density
Urban Development.
3. All essential services and utilities, including water, wastewater and roadways will
be provided.
Your Committee a,nended Bill No. 81 by the following: (1) Adding the standard water
commitment payment condition; (2) Clarifying the condition relating to securing fmal plan
approval; (3) Clarifying the condition relating to the 6-foot wide landscaping buffer;
(4) Clarifying the condition relating to roadway and intersection improvements; and (5) Adding
the standazd condition relating, to archaeological clearance.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the intent and purpose of Bill No. $1, Draft 2, and
recommends that it pass tirst reading.
CES
AYES NOES A&E px Respectfully submitted
LEITHEAH-TOOn x COMMITTEE O~PLA ?NG
TYLER x /J~~
CHUNG x ~~Cl/
REVNOLOS x B B JEAN LEITHEAD-TODD, CHAIR
SANTANGELO
SMITH x PC REPORT NO. 49
YAGONG X ADOPTED: ~ ~ I`Jy]
ARAKAKI E.G.M.