HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 100 06/01/2000 1998-2000 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: June 1, 2000 Re: C-776/Bill No. 259
PLACE: Councilroom
"TIME: 1:45 p.m.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
I-silo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 259, transmitted jointly with Bill No. 258 by
Mayor Stephen K. Yamashiro per Communication No. 776, dated May I, 2000, regarding the change of
zone request by Stephen P. Chase, at Keonepoko-Iki, Pahoa, Hawaii, TMK: I-5-7:80, reports as follows:
Bill No. 259 amends Section 25-8-26 (Pahoa Zone Map), Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) of the
Hawaii County Code by changing the district classification for 8397 acres of land from an Agricultural
(A-I a) to an Industrial-Commercial Mixed (MCX-20) zoned district.
The boot-shaped subject property, owned in fee by Stephen and Marjorie Chase, is located to the west of
the junction of the Keaau-Pahoa Road and Pahoa Bypass Road, and has frontage along the Old Pahoa
Road, which is a dead-end.
'The zoning amendment to the Urban District would be in conformance with the "Urban Expansion"
classification under the County's General Plan LUPAG Map, which allows for a mix of high density,
medium density, low density, industrial and/or open designations in areas where new settlements may be
desirable. The applicant originally requested a CN-20 zoning; however, the proposed lumberyard is not a
permitted use within the CN zoned district. Under the MCX-20 zoning, the applicant would be allowed to
sell lumber as an accessory use to a small home improvement center/hardware store. The requested zoning
would allow the construction of an 8,000-square foot hardware store, which is larger than their present
Pahoa Hardware Store location, so the applicants are seeking this change of zone request to relocate their
business to the larger site. The subject property is large enough to accommodate other uses, so the
applicant would eventually like to offer leased space to other small retailers that would be compatible to
the area. The subject properties are not located within the Special Management Area.
The U.S. Soil Survey classifies the soil as Lava Flows, Pahoehoe, which has no covering and is typically
bare of vegetation except for mosses and lichens in areas of higher rainfall. The Land Study Bureau Soil
Rating classification is "E" or Very Poor.
The subject property is located within Zone "X", which is outside the 500-year flood plain.
Because the site has been previously cleared, the area is not known for any rare or endangered animal or
plant life.
Adjacent land to the northwest (Keaau side) is vacant land owned by the U.S. Post Office. Other
immediate adjacent surrounding lands are also vacant and zoned Agricultural (A-1 a). Approximately 600
feet southeast of the property is an auto parts store, which was established recently through an approved
rezoning to CN-20.
PC-I00
PC-100 Page 2 June 1, 2000
Access to the subject property is from the Keaau-Pahoa Road making aright-turn onto the Old Pahoa
Road, which is under the jurisdiction of the Stale Department of Transportation.
Water can be made available to the site from an existing 12-inch waterline along Che Pahoa Road, which
fronts the property.
fhe applicant will comply with the respective State and/or county agencies in regards to waste disposal
systems. Electrical and telephone services are or will be made available to the property. Police and fire
services are within the Pahoa town.
Committee Member Julie Jacobson stated that this project is much needed for the area. Committee
Member Aaron Chung stated he has no problem with this concept, but disagreed with Committee Member
Jacobson because there were some previous zonings which did not materialize as planned. Committee
Member Curtis Tyler stated that he checked with the Planning Department about the formerly approved
Food Fair project, and it will be down-zoned because it did not materialize. For this reason, Committee
Member Chung stated that if some of the previously approved projects are being down-zoned, then there is
no need for this project; however, he would vote in accordance with Committee Member AI Smith who
represents the district.
Committee Member Dominic Yagong stated he will support this project since the applicant has been in
business for seven years, and there is the need to provide this service to the people.
Your Chair supports the rezoning because it provides opportunities in an urban like setting; and although
"it is not in the urban core, it is literally within a stone's throw of commercial property, and this project
fits into "the changing character of the neighborhood" while benefiting the people of the community.
Your Committee concurs with the Planning Commission and the Planning Director for recommending a
favorable consideration for the change of zone request.
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the intent and purpose of Bill No. 259 and recommends it
ass first readin .
AYES NOES A & E GX
I,EITH[!AD-fODD X
TYLER X
CHUNG X
BLARIONOPP X
.IACOBSON X
PIti1CCHl0 X Respectfully submitted
SMI"I'II X COMMITTEE ON PLANN ~J/~
YAGONG X ~~_y~~~Gt' l pct~j'
ARAKAKI E.O.M. X //J Y~.
~OB JEAN LEITHEAD-TODD, CHAIR
PC REPORT NO. 100
ADOPTED: J'~IN '~11 bn.~.,