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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-06 Windward Exh A (Public Testimony SMA 21-079) WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAII TESTIMONY TRANSCRIPT MAY 6, 2021 Public testimony regarding the application of ISLAND NATURALS PROPERTIES (SMA 21-000079)was called to order at 9:11 a.m. via live-stream online meeting, with Vice Chairman Gilbert Aguinaldo presiding. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Dean Au, Gilbert Aguinaldo, Joseph Clarkson, Michelle Galimba, Dennis Lin, and Thomas Raffipiy. ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Malia Hall, Esq. (Counsel for the Commission), Zendo Kern, (Planning Director), Jean Campbell, Esq. (Counsel for the Planning Director), Tracie Lee Camero (Planner), Maija Jackson (Temporary Assignment Program Manager), and Melissa Dacayanan- Salvador (Windward Planning Commission Secretary). APPLICANT: ISLAND NATURALS PROPERTIES, LLC (SMA 21-000079) Application for a Special Management Area(SMA) Use Permit to allow the construction of an approximately 67,685 square-foot, retail, and office complex on approximately 4.045-acres of land situated in the Special Management Area. The subject property is located on the northwestern corner of the intersection of Mililani Street and Kelcuanao`a Avenue, Portion of Waiakea, South Hilo District, Hawaii, TMK (3) 2-2-030:017. Secretary's Note: "—" indicates that there were technical and/or internet difficulties, which made the conversation inaudible. AGUINALDO: Statement from the public. We have one (1)testifier registered to give an oral testimony which is Lisa Franklin. Lisa, are you present? FRANKLIN: Yes, hello, hi everybody. AGUINALDO: Aloha and good morning. FRANKLIN: Thank you. AGUINALDO: So, Lisa prior to starting please raise your right hand. FRANKLIN: Raising right hand. AGUINALDO: Let me see where you're at. Where is Lisa, oh, I see you, Lisa. Good morning. FRANKLIN: Hi. 1 EXHIBIT A AGUINALD: Hi, please raise your right hand, do you swear and affirm to tell the truth on this matter before the Windward Planning Commission? FRANKLIN: Yes, definitely. AGUINALDO: Please state your name and the town where you reside. FRANKLIN: My name is Lisa Franklin and I reside in Hilo town. AGUINALDO: Awesome, Commissioners any question for the testifier? Oh, sorry after testimony. Okay, you may proceed. FRANKLIN: Okay, thank you. I'm a resident and homeowner of Mililani Street. I'm in opposition to parts of this project so, I'm here to speak. My primary concern is the proposed drive-through restaurant to be situated at the corner of Mililani and Kekuana6`a Street as part of the proposed office complex and grocery store situation. I'm getting testimony in opposition. So, I'm curious if anyone has ever been through a drive-through before. I've certainly have I went to Taco Bell recently and after never having fast-food for like twenty (20) years but, my real question is would anyone want a drive-through across from their home and their bedroom window where they sleep at night. A drive-through in my opinion does not belong in a residential area. They have a reputation of being really loud and disturbing for several reasons. There's noise for the yelling of orders over the loudspeaker, there's idling cars that wait in continuous turnover of traffic, the hours are often opened much longer than regular businesses and restaurants, they create traffic congestion all over this town. Even at like Long's Drug, which isn't even a food center will pour out into the road. The land on which this drive-through is proposed is a resort/hotel land and it borders family residential areas including my own home and it's planned to have a minimum setback from the road. I really doubt that a drive-through was in the original intention for this part of Hilo town, this is Waiakea House Lots it borders a recreational facility at Wailoa Park. Many of the people on this street have lived on this street their entire lives, several of the homes have never changed hands and they're elders that live here which is why no one is at this meeting today. You know, because we connect to Wailoa Park this road has a lot of family members that will jog, walk dogs, ride bikes, so I have concern that we might need to consider if there's going to be like a sidewalk or something. There's a gentleman who's jogged on this road for like almost every day for the past 20 years. There's another gentleman who pushes his boat to the water to fish every day and he might have done that since he was a teenager because he's grown up in that house his whole life. He's in his fifties (50's) or sixties (60's). I just feel that this project with especially the drive-through will affect the quality of life for the people that live here. The people that work at the store, the people that build these buildings, they go home at night, we will still be here. So, I share concern for the increase in traffic, I know that's not a concern of yours and it doesn't need to be met so have your project but, Kekuana6`a is very busy. The intersection of Mililani Street and Kekuana6`a are clogs. When people make 2 EXHIBIT A left turns the traffic backs up Kekuanao`a. When there's a red light at Manono Street it will back up to BEI, I think it's called Iolani Street, it happens. The big issue there is going to be that if everyone's making a left turn on Mililani from mauka side and especially even those that are coming from Puna side they might just take the right turn onto Mililani that intersection is going to get a ton of traffic it's going to happen. You've two hundred forty (240) spaces or whatever parking spots and you're going to have a fast turnover especially if there is a drive-through. It's not a good place for a drive-through. Okay, another point to mention is that that intersection regularly floods, the County has put temporary like signage there. It's been there for several years, the water will fill, people would have to slow down when they come down the hill and the water will splash, or they'll drive around it crossing the yellow lines. Again, not your problem but with the increase in traffic that your project would have that needs to be addressed with the County, it's not a safe intersection just creates a ton of congestion. So, I just highly doubt any of you would want to go sleep at night with a drive-through across from your home. It's just something for me to voice, I have to voice my opinions so I urge you to just consider this disapprove that part of the project and just kind of consider the implications that this will have on the residents that live nearby and that's it. Thank you for your time. If you have any questions — AGUINALDO: Thank you very much Lisa for your testimony. FRANKLIN: Yeah, I appreciate all the work you do. AGUINALDO: Alright, mahalo. FRANKLIN: Thanks. AGUINALDO: Commissioners any questions for the testifier? AU: Vice Chair this Commissioner Au, I do have question. AGUINALDO: You may proceed. AU: Thank you. Good morning Ms. Franklin. FRANKLIN: Hi, Dean. AU: Hi, I have two (2) questions for you. I guess the first question is where do you live in respect to the project? FRANLIN: My assumption is that I live literally across from where the drive-through was proposed. I'm at seven three three oh. I didn't really want to say that on YouTube. I live next to the labor union building, like the second home on the road. 3 EXHIBIT A AU: Okay, because I'm looking at the map and so you're right across the street from the proposed property right, is that correct? FRANKLIN: One hundred(100)percent(%). AU: Okay, second question I have for you is the applicant applied for their permit, their Special Management Area(SMA)permit on January fourteenth (14'')beginning of this year which is like what four (4) months ago, three (3) months ago. I'm just curious has that developer reached out to you or anybody that you know of in the community? FRANKLIN: I have received 2 letters that this was happening. I did also attend a meeting before when the original like arsenic was going to be removed from the soil, I did attend that meeting as well and at that time I think the proposal involved housing like student housing for the neighborhood in addition to Island Naturals in an apartment complex. But I could be wrong that was perhaps 2 years ago. AU: Okay, well thank you very much and I appreciate your answers. FRANKLIN: Thank you. AGUINALDO: Any other Commissioners have any questions for our testifier? GALIMBA: Raised her hand. I don't have any questions, but I just wanted to thank Lisa for testifying. AGUINALDO: Thank you Michelle. Any other Commissioners? Going once, going twice. Okay, Lisa thank you very much for your testimony you may please log out now of the Zoom platform and watch the YouTube live-stream video if you are interested. Commissioners may I hear a motion to close the public testimony. KERN: Mr. Chair? AGUINALDO: Go right ahead. KERN: Are we going to do the presentation by staff? AGUINALDO: Oh yes, we need to do the presentation at this time. KERN: Thank you. AGUINALDO: You're welcome. HALL: You can close public testimony though Gilbert. AGUINALDO: Okay, at this we close public testimony. 4 EXHIBIT A HALL: I mean with the motion, sorry. AGUINALDO: Close with the motion. HALL: Yes. AGUINALDO: Okay. At this time, we are hereto close public testimonies. Commissioners may I hear a motion to close the public testimony? CLARKSON: Raising his hand. I move that, this is Commissioner Clarkson, I move that public testimony be closed. RAFFIPIY: Second. AGUINALDO: Public testimony, it's been moved by Commissioner Clarkson and seconded by Commissioner Raffipiy to close the public hearing. Discussion, all of those in favor, signify by saying aye. AGUINALDO: Aye. CLARKSON: Raised hand, aye. LIN: Raised hand, aye. AU: Raised hand, aye. RAFFIPIY: Raised hand, aye. AGUINALDO: Motion to close the public hearing carries. The public testimony ended at 9:22 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Dacayanan-Salvador Secretary to Boards and Commissions 5 EXHIBIT A