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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-18 NKCDP COMMENTSMori, Ashley From: toni withington <sundownertoni@yahoo.com> Sent: Monday, July 18, 2022 3:43 PM To: Sauer, Noriko Subject: NKCDP comments on REZ 21-000248, North Kohala Attachments: Hoea Triangle - GM Group report to LPC 7-22.docx; Hoea - Paved area and with driveway.pdf, Hoea - waste water map.pdf Aloha Noriko, At its meeting of March 17, 2022, the Leeward Planning Commission deferred action on the above rezoning request in order for the applicant to reach out to the North Kohala Community Association Action Committee for comment. Because the Action Committee is presently under re -organization, it's Growth Management Group, which has been in existence since 2009, was asked to conduct a public meeting regarding the rezoning with applicant Dwayne Cravalho and his planner Daryn Arai present to explain the changes in the proposed food truck layout, the conditions proposed by the Planning Department and other agency comments. Attached are the comments to the commissioners from the Growth Management Group. I have sent a copy to the applicant and his planner. It is not on the agenda yet, but this was part of the puzzle to get it back to the commission. aloha, Toni Withington 1 July 2022 To: Michael Vitousek, Chair Leeward Planning Commission From: Growth Management Group North Kohala Community Development Plan Subject: Applicant Dwayne Cravalho - REZ 21-000248 At its meeting of March 17, 2022, the Leeward Planning Commission deferred action on the above rezoning request in order for the applicant to reach out to the North Kohala Community Association Action Committee for comment. Because the Action Committee is presently under re -organization, it's Growth Management Group, which has been in existence since 2009, was asked to conduct a public meeting regarding the rezoning with applicant Dwayne Cravalho and his planner Daryn Arai present to explain the changes in the proposed food truck layout, the conditions proposed by the Planning Department and other agency comments. The public meeting was held on June 3rd at 3pm at the Kohala Intergenerational Center in Kamehameha Park. Notice of the meeting was sent to the 23 individuals who submitted testimony at the LPC December 16, 2021, meeting, to residents and businesses in the area and others who had expressed interest. Notice was on two bulletin boards and social media. The meeting was moderated by Toni Withington, a longtime member of the group. Mr. Cravalho said through Mr. Arai that with the commercial zoning he intends to make the space available for one food truck and sufficient parking for customers. The new configuration would not include the earlier proposed two trucks, picnic tables, and porta-potties but would be landscaped with buffers from the roads and neighbors. They shared a packet of information about the zoning regulations and a map showing the proposed location of the food truck and six parking stalls. Sixteen people attended the meeting with twelve speaking. In addition, four people submitted written testimony. Two testifiers spoke in strong support and fourteen had objections. Those in support favored giving Kohala families an opportunity to start a business. The objections focused on three topics -- the small size of the 7,500- square-foot lot, traffic/parking issues, and its inappropriate location. Size of the lot: Several testifiers expressed concerns that the small lot could not accommodate six regulation size parking spaces. Arai said the drawing is conceptual and will be reviewed by the Planning Department. Someone asked if the food truck would leave and return, which might require additional paving. Cravalho said it would not be permanent and would leave. "Six regulation -sized parking stall and food truck parking would require paving almost the whole surface of the usable lot," one testifier said, producing a map of the possible paved area (see attachment). With the downward slope of the land, one testifier said that without grading, the large amount of paving would create drainage problems that might cause damage to neighboring property. It was suggested that a catch basin would be required since a condition says all runoff must be contained on site. While asking whether a permanent structure would be built, someone submitted a drawing showing a wastewater system that would take up most of the property (see attached). Cravalho said a portable business is his best option. "I want this to be as low impact as possible. I'm not looking at selling this land," he said. Arai mentioned that the use complies with all County regulations and was recommended for approval by the Planning Department. Another speaker pointed out that the driveway is close to the Hoea Road and Akoni Pule Highway, despite a condition of the zoning which says it should be as far from the intersection as possible. Traffic and Parking: Several residents of the Hoea area expressed concerns about the obstruction of drivers views if parking along Hoea Road is allowed to happen, even though street parking would be prohibited by conditions of zoning. "There is no way cars can go into and out of the proposed area and back in and out without being a serious concern for vehicles coming around the blind corner," one writer said. Others expressed concerns that customers would not use the parking lot, but park along Hoea Road or the highway. Location at Hawi Town entrance: Concern about the location of a portable commercial operation at the entrance to Hawi town was echoed by several people. "For decades we have fought and cared to preserve the history, character and beauty of Kohala and Hawi," one woman wrote. "I'm fine with Mr. Cravalho's food truck and parking. Just NOT THERE!" Someone else said the operation, if allowed, "would seemingly conflict with the Welcome to Historic North Kohala' sign that it would be directly adjacent to." To see what the proposal would look like in operation, one man suggested Cravalho provide a map showing the existing surrounding structures for comparison. Those attending thanked Mr. Cravalho for bringing his proposal before a public meeting for discussion. In transferring this information to the commission, the Growth Management Group recommends that, because of the small size of the lot and even smaller usable space after setbacks, the Planning Department be asked to do an engineering check on the proposed commercial activity with the Department of Public Works to ensure that it meets the specifications for ■ a drainage plan locating the on -site catch basin accompanied by a grading plan that illustrates how the paved area will deal with the significant slope of the land. ■ a parking plan that illustrates how cars, pickup trucks and the food truck will safely turn around on site using the minimum standards for turning radiuses, so no one is backing out onto Hoea Road. Thank you for the opportunity to gather this information for you. I apologize for the delay in this response. Toni Withington, Secretary Growth Management Group NKCDP Attachments USING THE SITE PLAN ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO ASPHALT PAVE THE AREA SHOWN (3,760 S.F.) IF THE PROPOSED SIX PARKING PLACES WERE APPROVED. PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 180 S.F. OF THE ROAD WIDENING SETBACK FOR A DRIVEWAY TO REACH THE CURRENT HOEA ROAD. THE SITE HAS A SLOPE FROM HOEA ROAD TO THE LOCATION OF THE FOOD TRUCK. APPROVAL CONDITION 'F' REQUIRES ALL GENERATED RUNOFF FROM DEVELOPMENT BE DISPOSED OF ON SITE. HENCE A CATCH BASIN WOULD BE NECESSARY AS WOULD EXTENSIVE GRADING FOR THE ENTIRE PAVED AREA TO SLOPE TO THE CATCH BASIN.