HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-15 Planning Commission Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
MINUTES
JANUARY 15, 2009
The Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:08 a.m. in the Aupuni Center Conference
Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, Hawaii with Chairman Rodney Watanabe presiding.
PRESENT: Rodney Watanabe ABSENT & EXCUSED: C. Kimo Alameda
Lani Bowman Andrew Iwashita
Takashi Domingo
Frederic Housel
Shelly Ogata
Rell Woodward
Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Daryn Arai, Acting Planning Director
Norman Hayashi, Staff Planner
Phyllis Fujimoto, Staff Planner
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Kelly Gomes representing Director of Department of Public Works
The Chair introduced the staff and Commissioners to members of the public.
SLU 08-000021 AND The Commission took these items up at 9:10 a.m. with
REZ 08-000085 approximately 14 people from the public in attendance.
HAWAIIAN RAINFOREST
WATER CO. LLC
KEAAU, PUNA
APPLICANT: HAWAIIAN RAINFOREST WATER CO. LLC
(SLU 08-000021/REZ 08-000085)
a.State Land Use Boundary Amendment from the Agricultural to the Urban District
for 10.373 acres of land.
b.Change of Zone from an Agricultural 20-acre (A-20a) to a Limited Industrial
1-acre (ML-1a) district for 10.373 acres.
The property is located on the southeast corner of the E. Milo Street – Railroad Avenue junction,
in the vicinity of the current HELCO Keaau power plant site, Keaau, Puna, Hawaii, TMK: 1-6-3:
18 and 23.
(SEE EXHIBIT A)
REZ 08-000087 The Commission took this item up at 11:33 a.m. with
MICHAEL & PEGGY approximately 15 people from the public in attendance.
KONANUI TOKUNAGA
WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO
APPLICANTS: MICHAEL & PEGGY KONANUI TOKUNAGA (REZ 08-000087)
Change of Zone from a Single-Family Residential 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to a Neighborhood
Commercial 10,000 square feet (CN-10) district for approximately 22,500 square feet of land.
The property is located on the southeast corner of Manono and Hualani Streets, Waiakea House
Lots, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-34:88.
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.
The applicant’s representative, Sidney Fuke, stated the staff’s report adequately covered the
request. Besides an ingress/egrees on Hualani Street, he renewed their request to also allow an
ingress only on Manono Street. He said it was only a question of time before Manono Street
becomes commercialized with possibly a third lane with dedicated left- and right-turn lanes like
on Kaumana Drive, Kilauea Avenue and Kinoole Street. He noted Manono Street has a right-of-
way of 50 feet and eventually through acquisition of additional rights-of-ways, 5 feet on each
side, there would be a 60-foot right-of-way. He pointed out Manono Street has a good sight
distance as the roadway is straight in that area and it was the primary access point to the property
before the house was torn down.
Mr. Arai noted that Manono Street was designed as a local street to service the residential area
and not designed as a collector road to service a commercial area. He, however, questioned how
allowing a right-turn in access on Manono Street would hamper the effectiveness of Manono
Street to operate as a thoroughfare. He clarified his only concern is whether the access point on
Manono Street would create a potential traffic concern, and that he would defer to the
Department of Public Works to comment.
Mr. Fuke said in a perfect world the applicant would want to have full movements on Manono
Street but if there has to be some limitation the applicant would be acceptable to a right-turn in
movement only. He said part of the rationale for an access from Manono Street is to capture
some customers wanting a drive-through service wherein they do not have to get out of their
cars.
Kelly Gomes said Manono Street is designated as an arterial for high volume traffic and Hualani
is designated as a minor or collector street which collects traffic and send them to arterial streets.
He agreed that if there is a right-turn lane only on Manono Street as proposed, traffic concerns
would be limited to the subject property. He said, however, as Manono Street is designated as an
arterial on the zoning map, and roads are based on traffic standards and are part of the
Subdivision Code, he is unable to withdraw their recommendation of not allowing access on
Manono Street. He noted that ultimately it was up to the Commission to recommend conditions
to the County Council and the Council to impose whatever conditions they wish.
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In response to Mr. Arai’s inquiry regarding allowing full-turning movements on Manono Street,
Mr. Gomes said someone wanting to turn left on Manono Streeet may back traffic up, which
would be a potential for more accidents occurring.
In response to Commissioner Bowman’s inquiry, Mr. Tokunaga explained that the main purpose
for the right-turn in movement on Manono Street is to allow, as an example, someone or an
elderly person who just wanted a Size 10 tabi to just go to the little window to pick up the tabi
and drive on through without getting out of the car, which would be very convenient for the
quick shoppers. Mr. Fuke then indicated on the presentation map its traffic pattern of entering
Manono Street and exiting on Hualani Street. Mr. Tokunaga clarified that they do not do marine
or boat repairs.
For Commissioner Housel’s information, Mr. Darrow indicated on the location map the
surrounding properties that have direct access onto Manono Street.
For Commissioner Bowman’s information, Mr. Darrow indicated on the presentation map the
locations of Piilani and Hinano Streets which are collector streets; and the location of Don’s Grill
and the Credit Union where there were reports of traffic problems. Mr. Fuke noted that what
complicates the traffic problem near Don’s Grill and the Credit Union is that Hinano Street
currently allows for on-street parking, whereas there is no on-street parking on Manono Street.
It was then moved by Commissioner Woodward and seconded by Commissioner Bowman to
send a favorable recommendation to the County Council as recommended by the Planning
Director, with the following replacement of proposed Condition F as recommended by Mr. Arai:
“Primary access to the project site shall be from Halani Street with only one right turn restricted
access point allowed on Manono Street.” A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six
ayes (Woodard, Bowman, Domingo, Housel, Ogata and Watanabe) and two absent and excused
(Alameda and Iwashita).
REZ 08-000088 The Commission took this item up at 11:56 a.m. with
S. RUSSELL & 8 people from the public in attendance.
AKIKO ODA
WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO
APPLICANTS: S. RUSSELL & AKIKO ODA (REZ 08-000088)
Change of Zone from a Single-Family Residential 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to a Neighborhood
Commercial 10,000 square feet (CN-10) district for approximately 22,500 square feet of land.
The property is located along the east side of Manono Street, approximately 300 feet north of the
Manono Street – Hualani Street intersection, Waiakea House Lots, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii,
TMK: 2-2-34:36.
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.
The applicant, S. Russell Oda, and his representative, Sidney Fuke, were in attendance.
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Mr. Fuke explained the request and said the applicant is agreeable with both the Staff’s
background report and recommendation, with conditions.
H. Kanoeokalani Cheek representing Hoomana Naauao o Hawaii, expressed the church’s
concern of this structure being rented to someone whose use would be unbecoming to a church,
such as an adult video or liquor store. Mr. Fuke assured Ms. Cheek that the applicant has no
such intention; however, he pointed out that if there is any proposal for sale of liquor,
surrounding property owners would have to be notified and they would have adequate
opportunity to comment before the Liquor Commission.
In response to Commissioner Housel’s inquiry, Mr. Oda agreed with Mr. Fuke that he currently
does not have plans to add on to the existing structure as the whole idea is to minimize the cost,
noting just to convert the existing dwelling is relatively expensive because they have to comply
with ADA requirements.
Commissioner Bowman commented she likes uses that give her the feeling of walking into a
home which this project emanates.
It was moved by Commissioner Bowman and seconded by Commissioner Woodward to send a
favorable recommendation to the County Council as recommended by the Planning Director. A
roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Bowman, Woodward, Domingo,
Housel, Ogata and Watanabe) and two absent and excused (Alameda and Iwashita).
RECESSED The Chair called a short recess at 12:05 p.m.
RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 1:30 p.m.
SPP 08-000070 The Commission took this item up at 1:30 p.m. with
MICHELLE 4 people from the public in attendance.
WALL-O’CONNOR
HOVE, KA’U
APPLICANT: MICHELLE WALL-O’CONNOR (SPP 08-000070)
Special Permit to allow the establishment of a massage therapy business within an existing
single-family dwelling on one acre of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural
District. The property is located at 92-8746 Lehua Lane, approximately 150 feet southeast of the
Lehua Lane – Luau Drive intersection, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Ka’u, Hawaii,
TMK: 9-2-80:57.
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 Department
recommended approval of the application.
There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the application.
The applicant, Michelle Wall-O’Connor, stated she reviewed the Planning Department’s
Background Report and Recommendation and was agreeable with the proposed conditions. She
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noted that her potable water will be purchased ionized water and that as she owns the
surrounding three acres she did not feel her neighbors would be affected by her application.
Commissioner Bowman thanked the applicant for going through the Special Permit process to
establish her business rather than operating without a permit.
It was moved by Commissioner Woodward and seconded by Commissioner Domingo that the
application be approved as recommended by the Planning Department, with conditions. A roll
call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Woodward, Domingo, Bowman, Housel,
Ogata, and Watanabe) and two absent and excused (Alameda and Iwashita).
USE 08-000014 The Commission took this item up at 1:36 p.m. with
T-MOBILE WEST 5 people from the public in attendance.
CORPORATION
KURTISTOWN, PUNA
APPLICANT: T-MOBILE WEST CORPORATION (USE 08-000014)
Use Permit to allow the construction of a 150-foot monopole telecommunication tower and
associated equipment on approximately 900 square feet of land situated within the Single-Family
Residential 20,000 square feet (RS-20) zoned district. The property is the site of the Kurtistown
Assembly of God Church, which is located on the mauka (northeast) side of Highway 11 directly
across the Highway 11- Kuauli Road Junction, Kurtistown, Puna, Hawaii, TMK: 1-7-6: portion
of 31.
(SEE EXHIBIT B)
RECESSED The Chair called a short recess at 2:17 p.m.
RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 2:21 p.m.
SMA 08-000031 The Commission took this item up at 2:21 p.m. with
K. TANIGUCHI LTD. approximately 11 people from the public in attendance.
DOWNTOWN HILO,
SOUTH HILO
APPLICANT: K. TANIGUCHI LTD. (SMA 08-000031)
Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit to allow the demolition of an existing commercial
structure, construction of a parking lot, and renovation to the exterior facade of the existing KTA
Downtown Store. The project site is located on the northeast corner of the Keawe Street and
Mamo Street intersection, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-3-8:1 and 33.
Mr. Darrow oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the
presentation maps, summarized the request, and noted the Planning Director recommended
approval of the application, with conditions.
The applicant’s representative, Jeff Melrose, was in attendance, along Vice President of KTA
Andrew Chun, the architect Rochelle Nagata-Woo, the contractor Gerald Yamada and the
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adjoining property owner supporting the project David Owens. He added that Sam Puluole of
the Downtown Improvement Association who had to leave was in support of the project as well.
Mr. Melrose stated they had no problems with the Planning Department’s recommendation. He
noted that as the building is some 90 years old, they had to go through the Historic Sites
Division, who accepted their report, and that the historic site archival images of the building
were provided to that Division as required. He said plans are to create a Mamo Street entrance
instead of the Keawe Street entrance.
Richard Lionheart, who had to leave, submitted written testimony. In response, Mr. Melrose
said to retain the concept of the covered public sidewalks is difficult as the County Code requires
the covering to be 32 inches from the side of the sidewalk and it would have to be built on
private property. As the Planning and Government Affairs person from DIA, Mr. Melrose said
he understood the issue raised by Mr. Lionheart but in this case there really is not a practical way
to address Mr. Lionheart’s concern, given the location of what needs to happen with this
particular building. He then noted the applicant’s concern of people now using KTA’s covered
area on a rainy day, walk past the door and through the parking lot to get around that corner that
Mr. Lionheart talked about.
Mr. Melrose agreed with the Chair that the 90-year old building needs to be demolished because
of safety issues, noting a good wind could cause the coverings to fall.
It was moved by Commissioner Woodward and seconded by Commissioner Domingo that the
application be approved as recommended by the Planning Director, with conditions. A roll call
vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Woodward, Domingo, Bowman, Housel, Ogata
and Watanabe) and two absent and excused (Alameda and Iwashita).
RECESSED The Chair called a short recess at 2:28 p.m.
RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 2:33 p.m.
The presentation on the following two items were done simultaneously:
REVOCATION OF The Commission took these items up at 2:33 p.m. with
SPP 1188 AND no one from the public in attendance.
SPP 08-000071
HAWAIIAN RAINBOWS
DEVELOPMENT, LLC
MAKAHANALOA,
SOUTH HILO
APPLICANT: HAWAIIAN RAINBOWS DEVELOPMENT, LLC (SPP 1188)
Revocation of Special Permit No. 1188, which allowed the removal and sale of stockpiled topsoil
on approximately 3.76 acres situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The
property is located southwest of the former Pepeekeo Power Plant, approximately ¾ mile east
(makai) of State Highway 19, Makahanaloa, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-8-8: portion of 147.
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APPLICANT: HAWAIIAN RAINBOWS DEVELOPMENT, LLC (SPP 08-000071)
Special Permit to allow the removal and sale of stockpiled topsoil for a 4.07-acre area situated
within the State Land Use Agricultural District.The project site is located along the east (makai)
side of the Old Railroad Way and southwest of the former Pepeekeo Power Plant, makai of State
Highway 19, Makahanaloa, South Hilo, Hawaii,
TMK: 2-8-8: portion of 144.
Mr. Darrow oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the
location map and site plan, summarized the requests, and noted the Planning Director
recommended revocation of Special Permit No. 118 and approval of Special Permit 08-000071
with conditions.
The applicant’s representative, Richard Johnson, was in attendance.
Chairman Watanabe and Mr. Darrow reviewed the recommendations of the Director and the
proposed conditions of approval with Mr. Johnson, as his partner who was called out of town at
the last minute did not provide that to him. Mr. Johnson then stated the applicant agreed with the
proposed conditions of approval.
For Commissioner Bowman’s information, Mr. Johnson said the area they are looking at right
now is subdivided into four 23-acre lots and has approximately 4,000,000 cubic yards of soil that
have been washed off the cane. He said their intent is selling three of the lots as farms and using
one lot for a continuing soil operation.
Commissioner Bowman felt the applicant should include additional acreage in this proposal
rather than applying again in the future. Ms. Johnson said as they purchased a total of 550 acres,
it was possible they may apply for another permit in the future, but with this special permit and
an additional permit on an adjacent lot, they already have several years’ worth of excavation to
be done.
In response to Commissioner Housel’s inquiries, Mr. Johnson said after the soil is removed they
will seed the soil with annual rye, noting submitted maps show existing and final contours
prepared by a licensed civil engineer. He said after the soil is removed the grade of the land will
be relatively shallow or flat, noting he has not seen any erosion problems.
There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the applications.
Regarding Special Permit No. 1188, it was moved by Commissioner Woodward and seconded
by Commissioner Domingo that the permit be revoked. A roll call vote was taken and motion
carried with six ayes (Woodward, Domingo, Bowman, Housel, Ogata and Watanabe) and two
absent and excused (Alameda and Iwashita).
Regarding Special Permit No. 08-000071, it was moved by Commissioner Woodward and
seconded by Commissioner Domingo that the application be approved with conditions. A roll
call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Woodward, Domingo, Bowman, Housel,
Ogata and Watanabe) and two absent and excused (Alameda and Iwashita).
MINUTES At 2:48 p.m., the Commission took up the following minutes:
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December 5, 2008 – It was moved by Commissioner Woodward, seconded by Commissioner
Domingo, that the minutes be approved. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all
Commissioners in attendance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS The following announcements were made:
Meetings – Staff announced there will be no February East Hawaii Meeting, and the subsequent
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meetings are February 29 at the Marriott, and March 6 at Aupuni Center.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting
adjourned at 2:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon M. Nomura, East Hawai‘i Secretary
A T T E S T:
Rodney Watanabe, Chairman
Planning Commission
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