HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-03 Windward Planning Commission Minutes
WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 3, 2011
The Windward Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:04 a.m. in the County of
Hawai‘i Councilroom, County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i with Chairman Zendo
Kern presiding.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Zendo Kern, Dean Au, Takashi Domingo, Wallace Ishibashi,
and Stephen Ono
STAFF PRESENT: Julie Mecklenburg (Deputy Corporation Counsel), BJ Leithead Todd
(Planning Director), Phyllis Fujimoto (Staff Planner), Maija Cotand Jeff
Darrow (Staff Planner).
ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Rell Woodward
The Chair introduced the staff and Windward Planning Commissioners to the public and
described the procedures to be followed for today’s meeting.
The Commission tookthe following item up at 9:06 a.m. with 22 people from the public in
attendance:
APPLICANT: MICHAEL AND MARCIA FRENZ (REZ 10-134)
Application for a Change of Zone from Agricultural 3-acres (A-3a) to Single-Family Residential-
40,000 square feet (RS-40) for approximately one acre of land. The property is the site of
Frank’s Foods meat manufacturing facility located on the south side of Kawailani Street,
‘i, TMK: 2-4-70: Portion of 1.
Mr. Darrow oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the
location map and site plan, summarized the request, and noted the Planning Director
recommended approval of the application with conditions. He added William Brilhante has
submitted a letter in support of the application.
In response to Commissioner Domingo’s inquiry, Mr. Darrow indicated on the presentation map
the floodway running through the property, noting the Department of Public Works has
commented that the project site itselfwill not be affected by the floodway.
The applicant, Michael Frenz, said the house was constructed approximately three years ago and
they are now seeking a subdivision to give a portion of the property to one of his two daughters.
He said they will work out the water condition with the Department of Water Supply during the
subdivision process. Hethen stated he has reviewed the Planning Director’s recommendation
and is agreeable with the proposed conditions.
In response to Commissioner Ono’s inquiry, Mr. Frenz said he and two of his brothers equally
own the subject property; and he is the only one that has children. He admitted that it was
possible that in the future they may come in for another subdivision for his other daughter who
currently lives on the mainland.
There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the application.
It was moved by Commissioner Domingo and seconded by Commissioner Ishibashi to send a
favorable recommendation to the County Council as recommended by the Planning Director,
with conditions. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with five ayes (Ono, Ishibashi,
Au, Ono and Kern) and one absent and excused (Woodward).
The Commission took the following item up at 9:16 a.m. with 19 people from the public in
attendance:
APPLICANT: PEARL BAKERY (SPP 10-111)
Application for a Special Permit to allow the establishment of a commercial kitchen, bakery, café
and retail sales within an existing 2,000 square foot agricultural processing warehouse and
related improvements on approximately 32,670 square feet of land situated on a 50.779-acre
parcel situated in the County’s Agricultural-zoned district. The project site is located
approximately 6,000 feet southwest of the town of Mountain View along the southeast side of
Highway 11 (Volcano Highway) near its intersection with Peck Road, portion of Ola‘a
Reservation Lots, Puna, Hawai‘i, TMK: 1-8-004: Portion of 23.
(SEE EXHIBIT A)
The Commission took the following items up at 11:59 a.m. with 9 people from the public in
attendance:
APPLICANT: PLANNING DIRECTOR INITIATED
Ordinance amending the Puna Community Development Plan, as adopted by Ordinance No. 08-
116 and amended by Ordinance No. 10-104, relating to mass transit Hele-On service to the Hilo
and Keahole International Airports.
APPLICANT: PLANNING DIRECTOR INTIATED
Ordinance amending the Puna Community Development Plan, as adopted by Ordinance No. 08-
116 and amended by Ordinance No. 10-104, relating to Transportation.
APPLICANT: PLANNING DIRECTOR INTIATED
Ordinance amending the Puna Community Development Plan, as adopted by Ordinance No. 08-
116 and amended by Ordinance No. 10-104, relating to Community Parks.
APPLICANT: PLANNING DIRECTOR INTIATED
Ordinance amending the Puna Community Development Plan, as adopted by Ordinance No. 08-
116 and amended by Ordinance No. 10-104, relating to the Hawaiian Beaches Neighborhood
Village Center.
(SEE EXHIBIT B)
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MINUTES – At12:42 p.m., the Commission took up the following minutes:
January 6, 2010 – It was moved by Commissioner Domingo and seconded by Commissioner Au
that the minutes be approved. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all members
in attendance.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS – The following were discussed under administrative matters
at 11:43 p.m.:
Hu Honua Contested Case (SMA 221) –Mr. Darrow said the Hearings Officer, who is currently
reviewing all the submitted documents, will have 45 days after the close of the hearing to submit
his proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Decision and Order to the Commission,
noting the Hearings Officer has not indicated when the hearing will be closed. The Chair
expressed his concern on the length of time it is taking the Hearings Officer to submit his
proposed findings. Director Leithead Todd said the length of time for submitting a proposed
findings had never been an issue before but now that it is, she is currently looking into specific
guidelines to submit to future Hearing Officers regarding timelines, to which the Chair
commended the Director for taking this initiative.
Hazard Mitigation Workshop – Mr. Larry Brown informed the Commission of the Hazard
th
Mitigation workshop set for February 16 at 8:15 a.m. at Schulz Sliding Training Center.
Commissioner Domingo expressed his concern on whether this workshop met the sunshine law
as it was not published in the newspaper. The Director felt the Commission can attend this type
of educational workshop, as long as there are no breakout sessions. Ms. Mecklenburg agreed
with the Director and stated she would advise against breakout sessions.
ADJOURNMENT – The being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at
12:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon M. Nomura, Secretary
Windward Planning Commission
A T T E S T:
Zendo Kern, Chairman
WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION
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