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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 090 03/21/2000 1998-2000 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: March 21, 2000 Re: C-682/Bill No. 216 PLACE: Councilroom TIME: 1:42 p.m. Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 216, transmitted by Mayor Stephen K. Yamashiro per Communication No. 682, dated February 23, 2000, regarding the change of zone request by Queen Liliuokalani Trust, at Keahuolu, North Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-4-08:Portion of 12, reports as follows: Bill No. 216 amends Ordinance No. 93-66, by changing the district classification for approximately 315 acres of land from an Agricultural (A-Sa) to a General Commercial (CG-10) and Open (O) zoned district. The irregular shaped lot, owned in fee by the applicant, is located along the northeast corner of the intersection of Palani Road and Ka`ahumanu Highway. Ordinance No. 93-66, effective .Tune 16, 1993, rezoned approximately 315 acres of land from Unplanned (U) to Office Commercial (CO-10), General Commercial (CG-]0) and Open (O). The first increment is comprised of Lot 1 consisting of 49.9 acres zoned CG-] 0 and the second increment is comprised of Lot 2 consisting of the remaining 265.1 acres of which 123.9 acres are zoned CG-10, 28 acres zoned Open and 113.2 acres zoned CO-10. Ordinance No. 96-160, effective December 7, 1996, redesignated building sites within the Unplanned district as Agricultural (A-Sa), and within the Commercial Office (CO) district as General Commercial (CG). Therefore, all references to the areas zoned Unplanned have been changed to Agricultural (A-Sa); and references to Commercial Office (CO) have been changed to General Commercial (C(i). On September 24, 1998, the Planning Director granted an administrative extension of time until October 4, 1999, in which to comply with the requirements of Condition B of Ordinance No. 93-66. The applicant is requesting a time extension often years to fulfill the requirements of the zoning granted in Ordinance No. 93-66. This request is so Lot 1 can be completed, and to fulfill the conditions for the effective zoning of Lot 2. The Trust is unable to commit funds at this time to satisfy the infrastructure requirements of Lot 2's zoning. The granting of the time extension would allow the Trust greater flexibility to fulfill the objectives of the General Plan, the 7,oning Code, and the original reasats for the County's granting of the zone change. PC-90 pC-90 Page 2 March 21, 2000 The General Plan LUPAG Map classification is High Density Urban Development. The K to K Development Plan is Urban Expansion, and the County Zoning is General Commercial and Open. The parcel is not located within the Special Management Area. Approximately 18 acres of the project area are developed with commercial buildings including Kmart and Liberty House. The Trust has finalized negotiations with Wallace Theaters to lease a portion of the remaining 7.6 acres between the two department stores. The remaining lands are unimproved. The surrounding area consists of vacant lands owned by the Queen Liliuokalani Trust. Industrial and commercial uses are located to the north and east. The County's Kailua Park and the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area are located to the west. Access to the site is provided by Makala Boulevard, atwo-lane County roadway, which has a pavement width of 24 feet within an 80 foot right-of--way. Water, electrical and telephone service will be made available to the property. The consultant for the applicant, James Bell, briefly explained the history of the project. He also explained that the Trust drilled a well in mauka Keahuolu, constructed a reservoir, connected and dedicated that water system to the County. In addition to building a water system, the Trust also built Makala Boulevard, and constructed Kamaka`aha and Palani Road to Makala Boulevard, extended Kuakini, extended Luhia and also built the infrastructure/water/power, etc., to service Lot l . 'T'hey currently have three major tenants (Kmart, Liberty House and Wallace Theaters) in the first increment. and are looking for about four more smaller tenants. The 'T'rust's intention to complete the center and the first increment has been slowed by the downturn in Hawaii's economy, so they are asking for the ten-year extension to construct the second well as conditioned by the Ordinance. Mr. Frank Jahrling, of First Hawaiian Bank, who is the Trust administrator stated that they are presently seeing a gradual upturn and more friendly retail market out there which is evidenced by the increased number of inquiries for the project. They have had some interest in uses other than retail, such as a healing center, retirement village, etc., which they welcome. Your Committee concurs with the Planning Commission and the Planning Director for recommending a favorable consideration to the change of zone request. PC-90 PC-90 Page 3 March 21, 2000 Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the intent and purpose of Bill No 216, and recommends it pass first reading. nvrs NODS A & F; Ex Respectfully submitted, i,ErrHeno-rooN x CO ITTEE L rvEr:k x CHUNG x ELARIONOFP X ~ncogsoN x BBY JEAN LEITHEAD-TODD, CHAIR PISICCHlO x PC REPORT NO. 90 SMITH X vnc;orl<~ x ADOPTED: APR 0 ~ 2~ ARAKAKI E.O.M.