HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 002 2019/01/08 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: January8, 2019 Re: Comm.No. 27/Bill No. 5
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo,Hawai`i
TIME: 1:40 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo,Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Planning,to which was referred Bill No. 5,reports as follows:
Bill No. 5,transmitted by Mayor Harry Kim via Communication No. 27,dated December 7, 2018,
amends Section 25-8-33 (City of Hilo Zone Map),Article 8, Chapter 25 (Zoning) of the Hawai`i '
County Code 1983 (2016 edition, as amended),by changing the District Classification from
Agricultural—Three Acre(A-3a)to Single-Family Residential— 15,000 square feet(RS-15) at
Waiakea Homesteads 2nd Series, Waiakea, South Hilo,Hawai`i, covered by Tax Map Key: 2-4-039:026
(Applicant: Hilo One Incorporated) (Area: approximately 12.728 Acres).
Mayor Kim forwarded the Windward Planning Commission's favorable recommendation for this
change of zone,which would allow the applicant to subdivide the property into 30 lots. The application
states that the subdivided lots will be sold on the open market to the general public. The property is
located along the south side of Haihai Street.
Planning Consultant Zendo Kern appeared before the Council alongside the applicant, Mr. Roland
Higashi of Hilo One. Mr. Kern explained the request was a straightforward rezoning for infill
development that would create a 30 lot subdivision connected to county services. Mr.Kern noted nearby
residents were in support of the project and that it would meet affordable housing requirements.
Committee Vice Chair Sue Lee Loy asked if conditions of approval had been met and Mr. Kern assured
her that they had. Ms. Lee Loy noted to the Planning Committee that everything Mr. Kern had
summarized was accurate and that the development would benefit the county with property tax revenue.
She advised her fellow Council Members to support the bill.
Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder noted some concern about the rezoning and urged Mr. Kern
to keep the development, "as green and as well thought out as possible."
Committee Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz stated that the project was in line with future growth of the area
and that it would aid in creating more needed housing for the county,particularly after the lava outbreak.
She asked if a FEMA(Federal Emergency Management Agency) study for flooding(Conditional Letter
of Map Revisions)had been completed and was told by Mr. Higashi that the study was underway.
Mr. Kern noted the proposed subdivision had one very small area that had been identified as flood zone
(portion of Lot 19)but that the project would mitigate this with continued study and proper
development.
PC Report No.: 2
PC-2 Page 2 January 8,2019
The vote was then taken on the motion to move this measure to council with a positive recommendation
and passed unanimously with nine"ayes."
Your Committee on Planning is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 5, and recommends its
passage on first reading.
ck
AYES NOES ABS Ex Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID X COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
EOFF X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
LEE LOY X
POINDEXTER X ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PC REPORT NO.: 2
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: JAN 2 3 2019