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Home My WebLink AboutREP PC 101 06/01/2000 1998-2000 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANNING DATE: June 1, 2000 Re: C-777Bi11 No. 260 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. 260, transmitted by Mayor Stephen K. Yamashiro per Communication No. 777, dated May 1, 2000, regarding the change of zone request by David and Doris Greer, at Puueo, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-6-08:17 26, 27, 29, 36, 39 and Portions of 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, and 38 and 2-6-29:14 and 15, reports as follows: Bill No. 260 repeals Ordinance No. 96-48 which amended Section 25-113 (South Hilo District Zone Map) and Section 25-114 (City of Hilo Zone Map), Article 3, Chapter 25 (Zoning Code) of the Hawaii County Code by changing the district classification for 288 acres of land from an Open (O) and Agricultural (A-20A) to a Single Family Residential (RS-7.5) and Neighborhood Commercial (CN-10) zoned district. This repeal action would restore the district classification to Agricultural (A-20a) and Open (O). The subject property, owned in fee by the applicants, is located between Wailuku River and Pukihae Stream immediately mauka of Clem Akina Park and Dodo Mortuary, approximately 367 feet mauka of Wainaku Street. The subject property was reclassified to an Urban District from the State Land Use Agricultural district by the State Land Use Commission on January 5, 1994. On June 5, 1998, Ordinance 96-48 was adopted pursuant to a request by C. Brewer Properties, Inc., to develop a master planned community of 800 lots ranging in size from 7,500 to 20,000 square feet, a central community center, an elementary school site, and an eight acre expansion to Clem Akina Park. On August 16, 1999, C. Brewer Properties, Inc., submitted their 1999 Annual Report to the State Land Use Commission pursuant to Condition No. 16 of Docket No. A92-680 effective .Ianuary 5, 1994, which indicated severe downsizing of the company due to adverse market conditions, sale of stock transferring majority interest in the company, and status of compliance with conditions. The applicants are seeking to repeal Ordinance No. 96-48 to return the properties to their original zoning of Agricultural and Open. The action will reclassify approximately 276.314 acres from RS-7.5 to A-20a, 9.7963 acres from CN-10 to A-20a, and 2.129 acres from RS-7.5 to Open. 'The applicants acquired title to the properties on September 30, 1999, and various development options were reviewed in light of the existing zoning and land use boundary designations, as well PC-101 PC-]O] Page 2 June 1, 2000 as current market conditions and physical attributes of the land. The applicants then concluded that developing the site for residential or commercial uses at this time was not feasible. The majority of the site will be used for the raising and harvesting of tropical fruit trees, as current market conditions do not appeaz to justify the expenditure of substantial infrastructure costs, and the property is still well suited for agricultural pursuits. Tropical fruit trees will be cultivated on approximately 280 acres, which comprise the net useable acreage. Clearing of the site has already commenced for the planting of fruit trees, including Rambutan, Lychee, Longan, and Mangosteen. One hundred acres will be planted by July 2000 and the balance will be planted over a period of two to three years. The initial harvesting of tropical fruit is not expected to occur until several years later. The General Plan LUPAG map designates the parcel as within the Low Density Urban area, which allows for uses single family residential in character, ancillary community and public uses, and convenience type commercial uses. The County Zoning is Single Family Residential (RS-7.5) and Neighborhood Commercial (CN-10). The subject properties are not located within the Special Management Area. The ALISH classification is Prime Agricultural Land and the U.S. Soil Survey classifies the soil as Hilo Series, which consists ofwell-drained silty clay loam series with rapid permeability. slow to medium runoff, and slight to medium erosion hazard. The soil is primarily used for sugarcane. The Land Study Bureau Soil Rating is "C" or Fair. The subject property is located within Zone "X", which is outside the 500-year flood plain. The existence of any archaeological features and flora and fauna is remote since the site was previously used for the production of sugazcane. Surrounding properties are zoned A-20a to the north and west, Open to the south, and RM-1, A-20a and A-3a to the east. Neighboring properties include single-family dwellings, macadamia nut orchards to the west, a former Hawaii Sugar Planter's Association experimental station, and vacant former sugar cane fields. Pukihae Stream borders the properties to the north and Wailuku River borders the properties to the south. To the east is Dodo Mortuary, Clem Akina Park, and residential properties. Access to the subject property is by a private easement, which begins at the end of the paved section of Amauulu Road. Abandoned sugar cane roads traversing the property also provide access to interior portions of the property. Water is available to the site from an existing 10-inch waterline along Wainaku Street. Electrical and telephone services are or will be made available to the property. PC-101 PC-101 Page 3 June 1, 2000 Committee Member Dominic Yagong stated that he "likes what's been done with the land so far." Committee Member James Arakaki also stated that he is pleased with the down-zoning of the subject property because that would eliminate any traffic problems the subdivision may have created for the area. Committee Member Aaron Chung also noted that he was concerned about the traffic situation if the housing project materialized. He then commented that although he is in agreement with the change of zone request to revert back to Open and Agriculture, it will be sad to lose the breathtaking panoramic views offered by the subject property. 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. 260 and recommends it pass first reading. AYES NOES A & E EX LEITHEAD=r000 X Respectfully submitted TYLER X CHUNG X COMMITTEE ON PLANNI F.LARIONOPF X JACOBSON X ~ ~O PISICCHIO X BO JEAN LEITHEAD-TODD, CHAIR SMITH X YAGONG X PC REPORT NO. 10 J .t 2l ARAKAKI Fi.O.M. X ADOPTED: