HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-01 Windward Planning Commission Minutes
WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAIÒI
MINUTES
MAY 1, 2009
The Windward Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:05 a.m. in the Aupuni Center
Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, Hawaii with Chairman Rell Woodward presiding.
PRESENT: Rell Woodward
Takashi Domingo
Andrew Iwashita
Shelly Ogata
Wallace Ishibashi
Brandon Gonzalez, Deputy Corporation Counsel
BJ Leithead Todd, Planning Director
Norman Hayashi, Staff Planner
Phyllis Fujimoto, Staff Planner
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The Chair introduced the staff and Windward Planning Commissioners to members of the public.
ELECTION OF At 9:05 a.m. the Commission took up the following:
OFFICERS
Chairman Î Commissioner Domingo nominated Rell Woodward for the office of Chairman of
the Windward Planning Commission. It was moved by Commissioner
Commissioner Ogata that the nominations be closed. Motion was unanimously carried by a
voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance.
First Vice-Chairman Î Commissioner Domingo nominated Shelly Ogata the office of First Vice-
Chairman of the Windward Planning Commission. It was moved by Commissioner Domingo
and seconded by Commissioner Iwashita that the nominations be closed. Motion was
unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance.
Second Vice-Chairman Î Commissioner Domingo nominated Andrew Iwashita for the office of
Second Vice-Chairman of the Windward Planning Commission. It was moved by Commissioner
Ogata and seconded by Commissioner Domingo that the nominations be closed. Motion was
unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance.
REZ 09-92 The Commission took this item up at 9:10 a.m.
BETH-AN & with approximately 11 people from the public in attendance.
CARY NISHIJIMA
WAIAKEA,
SOUTH HILO
APPLICANTS: BETH-AN & CARY NISHIJIMA (REZ 09-92)
Change of Zone from Single-Family Residential Î 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to Industrial-
Commercial Mixed - 20,000 square feet (MCX-20) district for approximately 22,800 square feet
of land. The property is located along the northeast corner of the Kekuanaoa Street-Laukapu
Street intersection, diagonally across from the Big Island Candies complex, Waiakea Houselots
st
1 Series, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-35:1 and 103.
(SEE EXHIBIT A)
REZ 09-90 The Commission took this item up at 10:00 a.m.
DR. TREVOR with approximately 18 people from the public in attendance.
RODRIGUES
WAIAKEA,
SOUTH HILO
APPLICANT: DR. TREVOR RODRIGUES (REZ 09-90)
Change of Zone from Single-Family Residential Î 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to Industrial-
Commercial Mixed Î 20,000 square feet (MCX-20) for approximately
land. The property is located at the northeast corner of Kawili Street and Laukapu Street,
Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-50:43.
Ms. Cottle oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the
location map and site plan and summarized the request for a veterinary clinic. She noted the
Planning Director recommended approval of the application with conditions, with a revised
Condition E (as requested by the applicantÓs representative) to limit access to right-turn in and
right-turn out movements on Kawili Street and full movements on Laukapu Street and Condition
K amended to have the project connect to the existing sewer line prior to the issuance of a
certificate of occupancy, rather than final plan approval.
The applicant, Dr. Trevor Rodrigues, and his representative, Sid
Mr. Fuke agreed with the Planning DirectorÓs comment about the lack of available fee simple
land in the area. He said Dr. RodriguesÓs lease for his current place of business expires 2012,
and it would be financially easier for him to do a project on his own property.
Mr. Fuke shared his understanding of the relationship between the Community Development
Plans and the General Plan, noting that Community Development Plans are specifically designed
to implement the General Plan and it is not to be a separate document necessarily in and of itself.
He said by virtue of the kinds of curbs, gutters and sidewalks (pedestrian-oriented) conditions
that have been imposed for rezonings in the area, it seems to suggest mixed uses in the area. He
added that if the applicant had come in for a heavy industrial zoning he was quite sure that
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notwithstanding the General Plan designation that the staff would probably look at it with a little
bit different perspective.
In response to Commissioner IwashitaÓs inquiry, Mr. Fuke said he did not think there were any
concerns raised about the noise that would emanate from the facility. He said in terms of noise
attenuation measures, thatÓs something that the applicant can take into consideration, but at this
point he had nothing specific to report. Mr. Fuke added that fortunately the surrounding
properties are zoned industrial, except for the property on the east side wherein the applicant
would have an obligation to take added landscaping measures. Commissioner Ishibashi
commented that, because of the need for security, veterinary clinics tend to be more enclosed.
Dr. Rodrigues said the clinic will be secured as they intend to control the temperatures in the
facility and that there should not be a sound problem, noting he did not want a warehouse type
building but something aesthetically pleasing.
No one from the public signed up to testify on this issue.
It was moved by Commissioner Domingo and seconded by Commissioner Ogata to send a
favorable recommendation as recommended by the Planning Director, with the following
amended conditions:
E.Access(es) to the project site shall be limited to right-turn in, right-turn out
movements at Kwili Street and full movements at Laukapu Street and shall
meet with the approval of the Department of Public Works. Should there be
future road improvements at Kwili Street, such as a dedicated turn lane fronting
the subject site that can reasonably and safely accommodate left turn movements,
left turn movements may be permitted by the Department of Public All
driveway connections to Kwili Street and Laukapu Street shall conform to
Chapter 22 (County Streets) of the Hawaii County Code.
K.The project shall connect to the existing County sewerline prior to the issuance of
a Certificate of Occupancy.
Commissioner Iwashita explained the reasons he was in support of this application, and not the
previous one, were that this property is on Kawili Street, which adjoins an industrial area, and in
his mind is obvious that this is the kind of use that should be for this particular property. He
added that although he would much rather be proceeding with an u
have been done years ago because it was authorized in 2005, the level of those concerns are
much mitigated in terms of this particular application. He agreed that the CDP is an
implementing part of the General Plan and said the CDP process is the CountyÓs best hope in
terms of implementing the General Plan as it allows thousands of people the opportunity to
provide input into the process. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with five ayes
(Domingo, Ishibashi, Iwashita, Ogata, and Woodward).
RECESSEDThe chair called a recess at 10:18 a.m.
RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 10:27 a.m.
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REZ 09-91 The Commission took this item up at 10:27 a.m. with
ESTRELLA C. ACASIO 13 people from the public in attendance.
WAIAKEA,
SOUTH HILO
APPLICANT: ESTRELLA C. ACASIO (REZ 09-91)
C
hange of Zone from Single-Family Residential -10,000 square feet (RS-10) to Industrial-
Commercial Mixed - 20,000 square feet (MCX-20) district for approximately 22,900 square feet
of land. The property is located on the east side of Laukapu Street approximately 200 feet south
of the Laukapu Street and Hualani Street intersection, Waiakea Houselots, Waiakea, South Hilo,
Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-35: 6.
Mr. Hayashi introduced intern Matthew Ching who prepared the well-written background report
and recommendation on this application.
Ms. Cottle oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the
location map and site plan, summarized the request for a real estate office, and noted the
Planning Director recommended approval of the application with conditions.
The applicant Estrella Acasio, her husband Elmer, her daughter Norrey, and her attorney Al
Konishi were in attendance.
Mr. Konishi stated they have read the staffÓs report and recommendation, commended
Mr. ChingÓs on his written presentation, and said they had nothing to add.
There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the appli
It was moved by Commissioner Domingo and seconded by Commissioner Ogata to send a
favorable recommendation to the County Council as recommended by the Planning Director. In
light of Mr. LeeÓs suggestion at this time as the location of the subject property is three lots away
from the intersection and as the Planning Director had no comments to offer, Commissioners
Domingo and Ogata agreed to include in the motion the deletion of the words Ðand traffic control
devicesÑ from Condition H. As there was no objection, Commissioner Iwashita requested his
comments on Beth-An and Cary NishijimaÓs Rezoning application be
application (SEE EXHIBIT A). Ms. Cottle clarified for the record that although the applicant
has complied with Condition J regarding the submittal of a Solid
Department is recommending the retention of this condition as the application is for a change of
zone and there is the possibility that the applicant or a future property owner may propose a
different use on the property. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with five ayes
(Domingo, Ishibashi, Ogata, Iwashita and Woodward), with Commissioner Iwashita voting
kanalua twice.
SPP 09-77 The Commission took this item up at 10:38 a.m. with
RICHARD & 8 people from the public in attendance.
CINDY VOGEL
KEAHIALAKA,
PUNA
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APPLICANTS: RICHARD & CINDY VOGEL (SPP 09-77)
Special Permit to allow the establishment of a 1-bedroom bed and breakfast establishment within
an existing 4-bedroom single family dwelling on 1-acre of land situated within the State Land
Use Agricultural District. The property is located at 13-3357 Hookupu Street, approximately
2,700 feet north of the Hookupu Street Î Leilani Avenue intersection, Leilani Estates
Subdivision, Keahialaka, Puna, Hawaii, TMK:1-3-31:66.
(SEE EXHIBIT B)
SPP 06-37 The Commission took this item up at 11:06 a.m. with
DENA & six people from the public in attendance.
SERGIO RAMIREZ
KULIHAI,
HAMAKUA
APPLICANTS: DENA & SERGIO RAMIREZ (SPP 06-37)
Amendment to allow the use of an additional structure for a restaurant and culinary school for
Special Permit No. 06-37, which originally allowed the establishment of a restaurant and related
activities within an existing building on 2+ acres of land situated within the State Land Use
Agricultural District. The property is located on the north (makai) side of the Honokaa-Waipio
Road (Highway 240), approximately 1,800 feet west of Nienie Gulch and two miles west of
Honokaa, Kulihai, Hamakua, Hawaii, TMK: 4-6-1:19.
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 amendment with conditions.
The applicants, Sergio Ramirez, briefly explained their request to continue their business as they
have over the last 14 years training. He added they are agreeable to the background report and
recommendation of the Planning Director.
In response to Commissioner IshibashiÓs inquiry, Dena Ramirez said the students completing
their hospitality industry program are trained to do the beginning, middle and ending of a
customerÓs experience, whether itÓs cooking or serving. She said she is currently working on a
proposal where the students at Honokaa High School would grow hydroponic vegetables on ag
lands below the school and then process it at their facility, clarifying what exactly would be
achieved would be determined by the program that is specified within the various agencies as
well.
There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the appli
It was moved by Commissioner Domingo and seconded by Commissioner Iwashita that the
application be approved as recommended by the Planning Director, with conditions. A roll call
vote was taken and motion carried with five ayes (Domingo, Iwashita, Ishibashi, Ogata and
Woodard).
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SPP 09-76 The Commission took this item up at 11:17 a.m. with two people
ARROW OF from the public in attendance.
OREGON/HAWAII, LLC
KAHUKU,
KAÒU
APPLICANT: ARROW OF OREGON/HAWAII, LLC (SPP 09-76)
Special Permit to allow a cinder and rock quarry operation on 5.003 acres of land situated within
the State Land Use Agricultural District. The properties are located at the corner of Mahimahi
Drive and Liliana Lane, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Subdivision, Kahuku, KaÒu, Hawaii,
TMK: 9-2-148:1 to 5.
(SEE EXHIBIT C)
MINUTES The Commission took up the following minutes at this time, 11:39 a.m.
March 6, 2009 Î It was moved by Commissioner Ogata and seconded by Commissioner
Domingo that the minutes be approved. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all
Commissioners in attendance.
March 20, 2009 Î It was moved by Commissioner Ogata and seconded by Commissioner
Domingo that the minutes be approved. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all
Commissioners in attendance.
ADMINISTRATIVE The Commission took up the following under administrative
MATTERS matters at this time, 11:40 a.m.
Windward and Leeward Planning Commission Rules Î Mr. Hayashi said that the rules would
have to be adopted for both Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions but until such time
they are adopted the Commission will be utilizing the existing r
by Commissioner Iwashita copies of both agendas will be provided to all Commissioners.
HCPO Conference Î Mr. Hayashi said the HCPO Conference is scheduled to be held at the
Sheraton Waikiki on Sept. 23-25, 2009.
ANNOUNCEMENTS Staff announced the next Windward Planning Commission
th
meeting is scheduled for June 5.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting
adjourned at 11:42 a.m.
A T T E S T: Respectfully submitted,
Rell Woodward, Chairman Sharon M. Nomura, Secretary
Windward Planning Commission
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