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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-05 Planning Commission Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES OCTOBER 5, 2007 The Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:08 a.m. in the County of Hawaii, Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, Hawaii, with Chairman William Graham presiding. PRESENT: William Graham ABSENT & EXCUSED: C. Kimo Alameda Takashi Domingo Rodney Watanabe Shelly Ogata Andrew Iwashita Alvin Rho Rene’ Siracusa Rell Woodward Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel Christopher Yuen, Planning Director Jeff Darrow, Staff Planner The Chair introduced the Commissioners and staff to members of the public. All those testifying were duly sworn in. AMEND CHAPTER 25 The Commission took this item up at 9:10 a.m. with COUNTY COUNCIL 8 people from the public in attendance. WIND ENERGY FACILITIES INITIATOR: COUNTY COUNCIL Amendment to Chapter 25 (Zoning Code), Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition), as amended, which would permit wind energy facilities in the Open (O) zoned district. (SEE EXHIBIT A) 1 REZ 769 The Commission took this item up at 9:22 a.m. with VOLCANO FAIRWAYS 12 people from the public in attendance. DEVELOPMENT CORP. KEAUHOU, KA‘U APPLICANT: VOLCANO FAIRWAYS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (REZ 769) Amendment to Condition B (Time to secure final subdivision approval) of Change of Zone Ordinance No.94-98, which rezoned 16.78 acres of land from Agricultural 1-acre (A-1a) and Open (O) to a Single-Family Residential 15,000-square foot (RS-15) district. The property is located adjacent to the Volcano Golf and Country Club Subdivision and the Volcano Golf Course, Keauhou, Ka’u, Hawaii, TMK: 9-9-6:8. (SEE EXHIBIT B) RECESSED The Chair called a recess at 9:47 a.m. RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 10:04 a.m. SPP 07-000046 The Commission took this item up at 10:04 a.m. with CARL OKUYAMA 8 people from the public in attendance. KEAAU, PUNA APPLICANT: CARL OKUYAMA (SPP 07-000046) Special Permit to allow the conversion of an existing single family dwelling to Sure Save Super Market, Ltd.’s administration office and to allow portion of the building for office use by the Orchidland Community Association. The 42,253-square foot property is located along the north side of Orchidland Drive, across from the Wiki Wiki Mart, Orchidland Estates Subdivision, Keaau, Puna, Hawaii, TMK:1-6-10:85. 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 is recommending approval of the application with conditions. He then added that the Planning Department was recommending the deletion of proposed Condition 7 which states “The applicant shall install an additional 10,000 gallon reservoir to comply with fire flow requirements meeting with the approval of the Fire Department.” He noted that there have been instances where the Fire Department has allowed the installation of a 10,000 water tank specifically for fire flow requirements for uses that basically are going to be conducted within an existing dwelling, rather than extending an existing waterline. However, in this particular case, the applicant has pointed out that there is an existing private waterline that was extended from the Keaau- Pahoa Road to the frontage of the Orchidland Convenience Center and there is a fire hydrant fronting the Wiki Wiki Mart as required by Special Permit 569 which the applicant could utilize to meet fireflow requirements. 2 Mr. Yuen at this time then suggested Condition 7 be amended to say that “The applicant shall comply with fireflow requirements meeting with the approval of the Fire Department and the Department of Water Supply,” inasmuch as there standards for distance from a fire hydrant. He said if the agencies accept the applicant’s proposal, there would be no problem; if not, the applicant would have to do something, like having the water storage tank, to meet fireflow requirements. The applicant, Carl Okuyama, and his wife, Amy Okuyama, were in attendance. Mr. Okuyama said he is the only one that does not live in the immediate area and the plan is to have a maximum of seven people utilizing the facilities, noting currently the Association plans to have one or two people and they are planning on having four. He then stated that the proposed conditions were acceptable. Greg Gadd, a member of 130 Holding LLC and the developers of the proposed Orchidland Trade Center, questioned why the applicant is not being required to hook up to the existing private waterline across the street, if he is able to use the fire hydrant why he cannot use the water, and would this set a precedent for other developers in the area to use a catchment system? In response to Mr. Gadd’s inquiries, Mr. Yuen clarified that the applicant cannot use the fire hydrant, only the Fire Department can, and the applicant does not have the right to hook up to waterline across the street as it is privately owned, but it is an issue that the Planning Department will be working on because it is an idea that in the long-term it should be possible to extend and to have people hook up to the waterline, but it’s an issue that involves a number of other properties. Mr. Gadd noted that they have been asked to contribute to that waterline across the street. He then raised the following questions: Should not the applicant have to contribute if he does hook up to the waterline in the future, wouldn’t it be safer for the community if he did hook up to the existing waterline, is there a way for the County to require the owner of the existing line to dedicate it, and is there any leverage that the County can assert? Upon the Chair’s request, Mr. Gadd and Mr. Darrow indicated on the presentation map th the location of Mr. Gadd’s property located two parcels away, right on the corner 34 and Orchidland Drive. Mr. Yuen at this time said that as the issue that the line should be available and there is a fairness issue that people should share in the expenses have just surfaced, this is something that the various parties should have a meeting in his office to discuss further. Roger Hawney, current president of the Orchidland Community Association, spoke in favor of the proposal as it benefits the Association. He said Mr. and Mrs. Okuyama have been very generous over the years and are good neighbors; and as far as impacts on the community, it would not be much more than a single-family residence. He noted that the 3 water issue was new to them, but it did not seem something that the Association would be involved in. He added, however, that if they later find out that it is something that the Association would be involved in, they will address it at that time. Commissioner Woodward and the Chair informed Mr. Gadd that the applicant would have to appear before the Commission again if they proposed something different from what is currently proposed. Commissioner Woodward noted that Mr. Gadd did not have any other objections to the proposal other than his objection to the fairness question with regard to the water supply, which can be addressed by the Department of Water Supply and the Planning Director, independent of the Commission’s recommendation on this particular item. For Commissioner Siracusa’s information, Mr. Hauney and Mr. Okuyama said they did not intend to put a sign up as they do not expect, nor would they want, anyone from the public to come to the facility since it will be used for storage. Mr. Okuyama at this time gave some background information on their attempts to provide such a facility to the Orchidland Community Association since 1984. It was moved by Commissioner Watanabe and seconded by Commissioner Domingo that the application be approved as recommended by the Planning Director with Condition 7 amended to read, “The applicant shall comply with fireflow requirements meeting with the approval of the Fire Department and Board of Water Supply.” A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Watanabe, Domingo, Ogata, Siracusa, Woodward and Graham) and three absent and excused (Alameda, Iwashita, and Rho). MINUTES The Commission took up the following minutes at this time, 10:32 a.m. August 3, 2007 – It was moved by Commissioner Siracusa and seconded by Commissioner Domingo that the minutes be deferred. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. September 7, 2007 - It was moved by Commissioner Siracusa and seconded by Commissioner Domingo that the minutes be approved with corrections. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ADMINISTRATIVE There was no discussion under administrative matters. MATTERS ANNOUNCEMENTS The following announcement was made at this time, 10:33 a.m. Planning Commission Meetings – Mr. Darrow announced that the October 19, 2007 meeting is cancelled and the next meeting is scheduled for November 2, 2007 in Hilo. 4 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 10:34 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon M. Nomura, East Hawaii Secretary A T T E S T: William Graham, Chairman Planning Commission 5