HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 100 10/05/2010 2008-2010 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: October 5,2010 Re: Comm. No. 951/Bill No. 302
PLACE: Councilroom
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 1:15 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 302 reports as follows:
Bill No. 302, transmitted via Communication No. 951 from Mayor William P. Kenoi, dated
September 21, 2010, presents a request by applicants Jin Soo and Ran Hui Iida, to amend
Ordinance No. 08-39, which reclassified lands from Single-Family Residential— 10,000 square
feet(RS-10) to Neighborhood Commercial - 20,000 square feet (CN-20) at Waiakea, South
Hilo, Hawaii, covered by Tax Map Key: 2-2-040:121.
Bill No. 302 seeks to amend Ordinance No. 08-39 to allow them to relocate their small family
business, "5-Spice", a seed shop, to the subject property, by deleting Condition"D". This
condition put severe restrictions as to the type and nature of the businesses they may have on the
subject property, limiting the applicants to personal service, residential and residential-related
only, although the property's CN-20 designation allows many more uses.
There was no public testimony. Applicant Jin Soo Iida was accompanied by Mr. Sidney Fuke,
who informed your Committee that he was present to assist the applicant on a pro bono basis, as
he is a long-time friend of Mr. Iida's family. Mr. Daryn Arai, representing the Planning
Department, was also present.
Mr. Fuke informed your Committee that the applicants needed to relocate their family-run
business, "5-Spice", a seed shop and bento-ya, because they were going to lose their lease at
their current location. Mr. Fuke further informed your Committee that members of the
Windward Planning Commission agreed that the area in which the subject property is located is
quickly evolving into a mixed-use community and should more properly be designated as
Medium Density Urban, rather than its current Low Density Urban designation, since it is
surrounded on three sides by areas designated Medium Density Urban. He further informed your
Committee that the Windward Planning Commission agreed that since the applicants were being
"saddled"with the all of the restrictions, standards and conditions of a CN designation, they
should be allowed the full benefit of all permitted uses of the designation.
PC Report 100
October 5, 2010
Comm. No 951/Bill No. 302
Page 2
Mr. Arai informed your Committee that the Planning Director and the Department were not in
favor of allowing the complete elimination of Condition"D", preferring to identify specific and
particular uses. Mr. Arai stated that despite that recommendation, the Windward Planning
Commission saw fit to eliminate Condition"D" in its entirety to allow the applicants the full
benefit of their zoning designation. He acknowledged that the area is evolving into a commercial
area, as it is surrounded by CN-permissible establishments.
Council Member Ford stated that she could not support the request, since it was not in keeping
with the General Plan. Ms. Ford further stated that a restaurant should not be allowed in the
middle of a residential area.
Council Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, the Council Member of the district in which the subject
property is located, informed your Committee that the site is actually surrounded by businesses.
He informed your Committee that there is a store, a factory, a chiropractor and other businesses
immediately surrounding the subject property. He further informed your Committee that there
are two shopping centers directly across the street from the subject property, and an automotive
repair shop a few lots down the street.
Council Member Kelly Greenwell stated that the request is in keeping with the nature of the area.
Mr. Greenwell stated that he will support the council member of the district. He further stated
that the Hilo "people" know their area best, and the decision should be up to them.
Your Committee concurs with the Windward Planning Commission's and the Planning
Director's favorable recommendation for approval of the amendment request.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 302, and
recommends it pass first reading.
awm
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
ENRIQUES X
FORD X COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
GREENWELL X
HOFFMANN X
IKEDA X �!�•C
NAEOLE-BEASON X DONALD IKEDA,CHAIR
ONISHI X
YAGONG X PC REPORT NO. 100
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED:O C T 2 0 2010
PC Report 100