HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWMTC 022 2020/02/18 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT
DATE: February 18, 2020 Re: Comm.No. 742/Res.No. 489-20
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 2:01 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit,to which was referred Resolution No. 489-20,
reports as follows:
Resolution No. 489-20,transmitted by Communication No. 742 from Public Works Director
David Yamamoto dated January 22, 2020, and introduced by Committee Chair Sue Lee Loy at the
request of the Administration, grants variances from Chapter 3, Section 3-6(b)(3), and from Chapter 3,
Section 3-1 1(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 edition, as amended),to allow an
additional ground sign,mounted in excess of maximum above-ground limitations at the subject property
located at 74-5035 Queen Kaahumatm Highway, TMK No. 7-4-008:055. Mid Pacific Petroleum is the
applicant and the owner of the subject property.
Speaking by videoconference from Hilo, Committee Chair Lee Loy invited Zendo Kern, a planning
consultant representing the applicant, to come forward.
Mr. Kern noted that it was a straightforward application that took a long time to get there. Resolution
No. 489-20, he said, would allow for a sign to post the gas station prices along the highway. During the
process of getting permits for the project, it was discovered that a non-conforming ground sign was in
existence—subject to replacement—and therefore a sign variance was needed.
A small marquee sign on the property, about 6 feet tall, lists the businesses on the subject parcel,
Mr. Kern said, and Chapter 3 (the sign code) only allows one ground sign per property, so the sign that
posts the gas station prices needs a variance. There is other signage on the gas station itself but the
existing coconut trees and vegetation hampers visibility. Mr. Kern said he was happy to answer any
questions.
Robyn Matsumoto, Acting Building Division Chief of the Department of Public Works, characterized
the resolution as a"standard variance request."Addressing your Committee from Hilo, she noted that
the timing of the resolution precluded consideration of the variance request under a process proposed via
other legislation that is pending approval in the Council.
PWMTC Report No.:22
PWMTC-22 Page 2 February 18,2020
Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz asked Public Works why this resolution took so long to
come forward. Ms. Matsumoto replied that the variance had been submitted to Council and
returned for corrections of errors and then somewhat left on the side before it could get back on
the agenda.
Mr. Kern concurred with Ms. Matsumoto's assessment, saying the current Code language is
confusing and that pending legislation would be helpful.
Ms. Kierkiewicz said she just wants government to work properly and there is a lot of room for
improvement. She was looking for ways to refine processes.
Committee Chair Lee Loy closed the discussion by reaffirming that she was working with Public
Works to realign some of those processes spelled out in the County Code that have resulted in
delays in hearing appeals.
Your Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution No. 489-20, and recommends its adoption.
ps
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CLUNG x
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
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KANEALI'l-KLEINFELDER x
KIERKIEWICZ x
LEE LOY x
POMEXTER x us CHAI
IUCHA"S x TC PORTT
NO. 22
VILLEGAS x TED: