Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-21 Leeward Planning Commission Minutes LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAII MINUTES SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 The Leeward Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:34 a.m., with Chairperson Nancy Carr Smith presiding. Based on the Governor's Twelfth Proclamation Related to the COVID-19 Emergency dated August 20, 2020, this meeting was held online, with live-streaming for the public to observe the meeting. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Nancy Carr Smith, Barbara DeFranco, Perry Kealoha, Max Newberg, Mark Van Pernis, Michael Vitousek and Faith"Faye" Yates ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: J Yoshimoto, Esq. (Counsel for the Commission), Michael Yee (Planning Director), John Mukai, Esq. (Counsel for the Planning Director), Jeff Darrow (Planning Program Manager), Maija Jackson (Planner), Christian Kay (Planner), Tracie-Lee Camero (Planner), Rachelle Ley (Secretary to the Planning Director), Kim Tanaka (Board and Commission Secretary) and Noriko Sauer (Leeward Planning Commission Secretary) [Secretary's Note: Throughout the meeting, there were some technical and/or internet difficulties. The notation "- - -" in the exhibit transcripts indicates such occurrence, which made the conversation inaudible.] A quorum was present. Chair Carr Smith called the meeting to order. She explained the procedure and protocol for this online meeting and live public testimony. She introduced the Commissioners and staff who were in virtual attendance. NEW BUSINESS 1. APPLICANT: DOUGLAS AND KATHRYN HICKEY (SPP 20-000218) Application for a Special Permit to legitimize the establishment of a venue for weddings and similar gatherings on a 2.25-acre portion of a 20-acre condominium property regime unit of an 80-acre property situated in the State Land Use Agricultural District. The subject property is located at 76-1297 Waiono Ranch Road, about 1.5 miles east and mauka of the Mamalahoa Highway —Waiono Ranch Road intersection, Waiono Meadows, H61ualoa, North Kona, Hawaii, TMK: (3) 7-6-002:028: Portion of 0001. The Commission took up this item at 9:38 a.m. Chair Carr Smith called a recess at 11:17 a.m. She called the hearing back to order at 11:31 a.m. Around 12:05 p.m. there was an internet connectivity issue in the area where the WebEx host was located, which caused disruption to the YouTube live-streaming and recording for about ten minutes. Chair Carr Smith called a recess when she was notified of the situation. She called the hearing back to order at 1:03 p.m. 1 Action: It was moved by Commissioner Vitousek and seconded by Commissioner Kealoha that the matter be deferred. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with seven ayes (Vitousek, Kealoha, DeFranco, Newberg, Van Pernis, Yates and Carr Smith) and no noes. [SEE HEARING TRANSCRIPT EXHIBIT AJ The hearing was adjourned at 3:17 p.m. Chair Carr Smith called a recess. She called the meeting back to order at 3:30 p.m. 2. APPLICANT: SBA TOWERS V LLC (USE 20-000083) Application for a Use Permit to allow the replacement of an existing 326-foot tall telecommunications tower with a new, non-manned telecommunication facility consisting of a 260-foot tall, self-supporting steel lattice tower with related equipment and improvements within a 2,025-square foot portion of a 3.585-acre property situated in the County's Agricultural-5 acre (A-5a) zoning district. The subject property is located at 81-1106 Nani Kupuna Place, approximately 1,165 feet east(mauka) of Hawaii Belt Road, Haleki`i-Kalukalu (Mauka), South Kona, Hawaii, TMK: (3) 8-1-001: Portion of 026. The Commission took up this item at 3:30 p.m. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Newberg and seconded by Commissioner Vitousek that the Commission approve the Use Permit application, USE 20-000083, with an amendment to proposed Condition No. 11. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with six ayes (Newberg, Vitousek, DeFranco, Kealoha, Van Pernis and Carr Smith), one abstention (Yates) and no noes. [SEE HEARING TRANSCRIPT EXHIBIT BJ The hearing ended at 4:18 p.m. Chair Carr Smith called upon staff to address any administrative matters or announcements. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS None. ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Jackson informed the Commission that there were tentatively six items on the October 15, 2020, meeting agenda, that many testifiers were expected, and that it would be a long meeting. 2 MINUTES Approval of the Minutes of the August 20, 2020, Leeward Planning Commission meeting. At 4:20 p.m. it was moved by Commissioner Vitousek and seconded by Commissioner Yates that the minutes be approved as submitted. A voice vote was taken, and the motion carried with all in favor. Commissioner Newberg requested that unbiased material regarding 5G be provided to the Commissioners in the near future for education purposes, as it seemed that the issue might keep coming up. Director Yee commented that this was a complicated and controversial matter, and that there was a lot of misinformation used by both sides. He said that he was unhappy with the County Council merely passing a resolution thereby delegating 5G issues to the Planning Commissions, and that this was a matter that should be addressed at the state level. In response to Commissioner Newberg's request, he said that the Planning Department would try to find unbiased information for the Commission. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved by Commissioner Yates and seconded by Commissioner Vitousek that the meeting be adjourned. A voice vote was taken, and the motion carried with all in favor. Chair Carr Smith adjourned the meeting at 4:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Noriko Sauer, Secretary ATTEST: Nancy Carr Smith, Chairperson Leeward Planning Commission 3