HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-24 TAmendment_to_Chapter_25
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAII
HEARING TRANSCRIPT
March 24, 2006
INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR
A regularly advertised hearing on the application of
regarding Amendment to Chapter 25 (Zoning), Article 4, Section 25-4-11 (b) was called to order
at 9:34 a.m. in the King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona,
Hawaii, with Vice-Chairperson William R. Graham presiding.
PRESENT:ABSENT & EXCUSED:
Hannah SpringerAndrew Iwashita
Rodney H. WatanabeJeffrey McCall
Allen Salavea
Rene Siracusa
Fred Galdones
Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Norman Hayashi, Planning Program Manager
Jeff Darrow, Staff Planner
And approximately 0 people from the public in attendance.
INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR
Amendment to Chapter 25 (Zoning), Article 4, Section 25-4-11 (b) by including a sewer pump
station as a permitted use in any zone district subject to the Planning Directors issuance of a
plan approval.
GRAHAM:The third item on our agenda is also initiated by the Planning Director.
ItsanamendmenttotheChapter25ZoningCodeoftheIslandofHawaii,Article4,Section25-
4-11(b). Its amended to include a sewer pump station as a permitted use in any zone district
subject to the Planning Directors issuance of a plan approval. Norman?
HAYASHI:Thank you Mr. Chair. As you know there are no background reports for
this. We basically transmitted the ordinance to you and the stated purpose as you note and Ill
read it. A sewer pump station is not specifically mentioned as a permitted use in any of the
zoning district. Such a facility is normally a necessary function of a larger development and
therefore should be permitted within the various zoning districts under the category of public and
private utilities. And basically this would be an amendment to Chapter 25, Article 4, Section
25-4-11 of Hawaii County Code. And if you look in the draft, if you look at item Subset b we
included the change and underscored it and it reads that any substation used by a public and we
included or private utility for the purpose of furnishing telephone, gas, electricity, water and we
added sewer, radio, television, shall be a permitted use in any district provided that the use is not
hazardous or dangerous to the surrounding area and the Director has issued Plan Approval for
such use. So basically what would happen is that with the adoption of this proposed change the
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sewer pump would be a permitted use with any of the zoning districts provided that the Planning
Director issues a Plan Approval and the Director approves that request.
GRAHAM:Thank you very much. Commissioner Siracusa?
SIRACUSA:Im not sure exactly what a sewer pump station is. For example does it
have to beon the coast or you know in proximity to the coast. Does it dump effluent into the
ocean? Does it create noise or smell? You know Im wondering if say, if this were something
like this were put in the middle of a residential community if it would be-?
WATANABE:If I might?
SIRACUSA:-have negative impact shall we say? Or I mean could you describe
exactly, am I, is my imagination the way Im thinking of a sewer pump station is it accurate or is
itnotaccurate?
HAYASHI:NoIthinkbasicallywhatyourelookingatisasewagetreatmentplant.A
pump station would be a facility that would pump whatever effluent that comes in into the
treatment system. So it could be located in residential areas. It could be located in coastline.
But it would be a facility that would assist in the transporting of these effluent into the system.
SIRACUSA:So it still would be sort of like the liquid waste version of a transfer
station? Will the pump make noise?
HAYASHI:I dont know if thats a good-.
SIRACUSA:Will it operate 24-7? Will there be fumes from it or is it totally something
closed? I need to get a picture of this in my head so I understand.
HAYASHI:I cant think of an example of what you would see. These pump stations
sometimes are underground. They are regulated by the Department of Health so you know as far
as smell and you know that kind of stuff, that should be taken care of by the State Department
Health Regulations.
GRAHAM:Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:I believe that the Department of Health also has some regulations on-.
Cause theyre going to use like a golf course or whatever as a leaching field for the liquid thats
coming out but they have to purify it to a certain extent before they can use it as irrigation right?
And basically all youre saying is its a more complex septic system. This was also included in
the plans of Hiluhilu yeah? What we just approved? I believe they-.
HAYASHI:Well I think were talking about 2 different things. Were talking about a
overall treatment plant and the pump station is a portion of that facility.
WATANABE:I have that wrong then?
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GRAHAM:I think so. Commissioner Springer?
SPRINGER:Looking for analogies. Are there not pump stations thatwater
departments useto move good water from one location, from one elevation to another? And this
is the same thing but with black water?
HAYASHI:Yes thats correct its the same principal. Yeah.
SPRINGER:So its a closed system within the piping network that allows the transfer
of material over greater distance or changes in elevation I believe. But its a closed system I
believe.
HAYASHI:Thats correct.
GRAHAM:Thank you for the clarification Commissioner Springer. Do we have any
furthercommentsorquestionsonbehalfoftheCommissioners?Normanisitclearthatthisis
necessary in the sense that I dont think we write in that you know closed lines or a permitted use
or stuff like that maybe so-.
HAYASHI:Yes we feel that this is a necessary function of any development that uses
a sewage treatment system and thats a portion of the system thats needed.
GRAHAM:Thank you. We have no one from the audience to testify today so I think
if we have no further discussion we would welcome a motion. Commissioner Springer?
SPRINGER:This may be my last motion as a Commissioner.
GRAHAM:Maybe.
SPRINGER:And so I move that we approve the proposed amendment to Chapter 25
Zoning, Article 4, Section 25-4-11 (b) by including a sewer pump station as a permitted use in
any zone district subject to the Planning Directors issuance of a plan approval and the
amendments are as stated on our yellow sheet.
GRAHAM:Do I have a second?
WATANABE:I second.
GRAHAM:Seconded by Commissioner Watanabe. Question of procedure, Norman
since this is really an island-wide issue is this going to have to come to our agenda also in Hilo or
is this good enough that were doing today to pass it onto the Council?
HAYASHI:I think its-. We hadnt intended to have it heard in Hilo. We felt that the
issue wasnt big enough that it would warrant a hearing also in Hilo.
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GRAHAM:Okay. Thankyou. Do we have any commentary by any of the
Commissioners regarding the motion before us? I believe were probably ready for action now
Norman?
HAYASHI:Thank you Mr. Chair. Commissioner Springer?
SPRINGER:Yes.
HAYASHI:Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:Aye.
HAYASHI:Commissioner Galdones?
GALDONES:Aye.
HAYASHI:CommissionerSalavea?
SALAVEA:Aye.
HAYASHI:CommissionerSiracusa?
SIRACUSA:Aye.
HAYASHI:Chair Graham?
GRAHAM:Aye.
HAYASHI:Motion carries.
GRAHAM:Thank you.
This discussion ended at 9:41 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Marushige, West Hawaii Secretary
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