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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-03 Windward Planning Commission Minutes WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAII MINUTES December 3, 2020 The Windward Planning Commission met via live stream meeting at 9:11 a.m., with Chairman Thomas Raffipiy presiding. VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE(COMMISSIONERS): Dean Au, Joseph Clarkson, Thomas Raffipiy, John Replogle, Gilbert Aguinaldo (joined meeting at 9:23 a.m.) VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE(STAFF): Michael Yee (Planning Director), Malia Hall (Deputy Corporation Counsel for the Windward Planning Commission), John Mukai (Deputy Corporation Counsel for the Planning Department), Jeff Darrow (Program Manager), Christian Kay (Planner), Tracie-Lee Camero (Planner), Rachelle Ley (Department Secretary), and Melissa Dacayanan-Salvador (Commission Secretary). Secretary's Notes: Throughout the meeting, there were some technical and/or internet difficulties which made the speaker inaudible. Please note that the notation "—"in these Minutes and the Exhibit Transcripts means that there were technical and/or internet difficulties which made the conversation inaudible. A quorum was present. Chairman Raffipiy stated that due to the Governor's Proclamation regarding COVID-19, the Commission meetings would be online until further notice to prevent the spread of COVID -19 and to maintain social distancing. He explained that the public was able to view and listen to the meeting, and a video link was available on the Planning Department website, www...lal i, g p awai:icou y..gov. He stated the background and recommendation reports are available on the County website. Chairman Raffipiy said that public was able to provide oral testimony at the meeting by joining online or calling into the WebEx meeting. Chairman Raffipiy asked the Commissioners to speak one at a time. He then introduced the Commissioners and staff who were in virtual attendance. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC–No statements were presented under this section of the agenda. NEW BUSINESS 1. APPLICANT: MOANIALA HOLDINGS, LLC (AMEND REZ 738) Application to delete Condition E of Ordinance No. 15 50, which required the applicant to secure and dedicate land area for the future extension of Kukuau Street from the Sunrise Estates Subdivision to the Puainako Street Extension. Ordinance No. 15 50 amended Ordinance No. 08 115, which amended Ordinance No. 93 36, which rezoned Page 1 of 5 Windward Planning Commission December 3,2020 Minutes lands from Agricultural-20 acres (A-20a), Agricultural-10 acres (A-10a), and Agricultural-3 acres (A-3a) to a Residential and Agricultural-l-acre (RA-la) zoning district. The subject property is located south of the Puainako Street Extension, west of Komohana Street at Hilo Hillside Estates Subdivision at Kukuau 1st, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-4-082:001-056, 058-061 (formerly 2-4-008: portions of 014 and 026). This item was withdrawn by the Applicant 2. INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR An ordinance amending Chapter 25 (Zoning Code), Article 1, Article 2, Article 4, Article 5, and Article 7 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to definitions, use permit requirements, off-street parking requirements, and zoning district regulations for medical clinics and massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, and other similar health service facilities. The Commission took this item up at 9:15 a.m. with no members of the public live streaming the meeting. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Au and seconded by Commissioner Replogle that a favorable recommendation be forwarded to the County Council on the Ordinance amending Hawaii County Code, Chapter 25 based on the Planning Director's recommendation, which was adopted. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with five ayes (Replogle, Aguinaldo, Au, Clarkson, Raffipiy) and no noes. This item ended at 9:39 a.m. (SEE HEARING TRANSCRIPT - EXHIBIT A) MINUTES —The Commission took this item up at 9:39 a.m. Approval of Minutes of the November 5, 2020 Meeting_—It was moved by Commissioner Clarkson and seconded by Commissioner Aguinaldo that the Minutes of November 5, 2020, be approved as circulated. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Prior to conducting the Election of Officers for 2021 and turning over the gavel to the new Chair, Chair Raffipiy shared some remarks. First, he thanked the Commissioners for working, helping, and guiding him through the responsibilities as a Chair of the Commission. He indicated our job has been challenging but at the end we all know its for the best interest of our people and the community of the windward side of the Big Island. He also thanked them for their sacrifices and time to volunteer. He also thanked the staff for supporting the Commission in helping, guiding, and assisting in having them carry out their responsibilities. He indicated Jeff and his team Page 2 of 5 Windward Planning Commission December 3,2020 Minutes have been outstanding and fabulous. On behalf of the Commission and himself he is very thankful for the support. Lastly, he recognized and thanked Director Michael Yee for his leadership, all the work he has done, and all he has done for the people of the Big Island. A personal thank you was given from the Commission and the Chair to Director Yee. The Chair allowed Director Yee to share some words. He reminisced about when he came four (4) years ago with his family and was happy to serve as Director. He thanked the Windward and Leeward Planning Commissioners for their volunteer services and indicated they are the most influential groups and represent a variety of interests and are seldom recognized for their services and the Department truly appreciate their service. He mentioned an article in the newspaper where an elected official questioned the integrity of the Planning Department and the Planning Commissions. He felt it to be offensive and was not given the opportunity to address the opinion therefore, he addressed his concerns. He stated questioning the integrity of the Planning staff and Commissioners was shameful. He thanked Daryn Arai, Duane Kanuha, and April Surprenant whom served as his Deputy Directors as his kumu's, his mentors, and his trusted friends who helped him be a better Planning Director. He also acknowledged the Planning Staff and thanked them for accepting him into their ohana 4 years ago. Lastly, he thanked his private secretary Rachelle and said mahalo and aloha to all. The Commissioners and staff all clapped after the Director had shared his words. Chair Raffipiy also thanked the staff from the Corporation Counsel office has been their guide and compass whenever they strayed. He stated Malia has been on point and kept them in check. Elections of Officers for 2021 The Commission took up this item at 9:48 a.m., with no members of the public live streaming the meeting. Chairman Aguinaldo made a motion nominating Commissioner Replogle as chairperson. Commissioner Clarkson seconded. In discussion and comments Commissioner Au thanked Chair Raffipiy for his service as Chair through this Covid time and offered special thanks to the Planning Director and Planning staff. He reflected on the parting words by Director Yee and appreciated his rebuttal to the article in the newspaper and indicated he is honored to be part of this body. Commissioner Clarkson assured the Commission that Commissioner Replogle will be a fine chairperson and stated his acknowledgement to be Chair as needed. As Commissioner Replogle was smiling Commissioner Clarkson indicted he assumed the answer is yes. Commissioner Replogle provided his willingness to serve as Chair. He also thanked Director Yee for all he has done for them. Commissioner Clarkson thanked Director Yee as well for all he has done for the County. Commissioner Aguinaldo shared his comments on his behalf and the residents in the Puna District. He thanked Director Yee as he learned a lot from him as other staff has guided him as he did not know a lot of things. He reiterated as Commissioner Au mentioned they are public Page 3 of 5 Windward Planning Commission December 3,2020 Minutes servants and serve the community in the public, are volunteers and do not get paid for what they do. There being no other nominations, a voice vote was taken, and the nomination was approved unanimously. Commissioner Replogle accepted his appointment as chairperson for 2021. Commissioner Au made a motion nominating Commissioner Aguinaldo as vice chairperson. Commissioner Clarkson seconded the motion. There being no other nominations, a voice vote was taken, and the nomination was approved unanimously. Commissioner Aguinaldo accepted his appointment as vice chairperson for 2021. Chair Commissioner John Replogle Vice-Chair Commissioner Gilbert Aguinaldo Discussion or questions on the recent Special Management Area(SMA)report received a few weeks ago. Mr. Darrow did a follow up to the last meeting where Commissioner Clarkson had asked a question concerning a thirty-nine (39) million-dollar house that was a residence located in Kaupulehu which is a higher end development. He stated the development is under an SMA Major Permit and was part of a larger SMA permit, not situated along the shoreline and was also under 7,500 square feet in size and was covered by the original SMA Permit for the resort development. Commissioner Clarkson in turn asked if it was covered under a major permit why was it necessary to get an additional permit. Mr. Darrow stated the short-form assessment is done when a building permit comes through the Planning Department that is in the SMA. He explained if it is in the SMA and not along the shoreline it would not require an SMA assessment application instead a short-form assessment is done at the planning clerk level where it is confirmed that it does not require an additional permit. ANNOUNCEMENTS There was no announcement from the staff. Mr. Darrow again thanked Chair Raffipiy for his service in the last year and stated he did a fantastic job, and he appreciated all of his service. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved by Commissioner Clarkson and seconded by Commissioner Au that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. Chairman Raffipiy adjourned the meeting at 10:04 a.m. Page 4 of 5 Windward Planning Commission December 3,2020 Minutes Respectfully submitted, Melissa Dacayanan-Salvador, Secretary ATTEST: Thomas Raffipiy, Chairman Windward Planning Commission Page 5 of 5 Windward Planning Commission December 3,2020 Minutes