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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-01 Windward Planning Commission Minutes WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES September 1, 2010 The Windward Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:07 a.m. in the County of Hawai‘i Councilroom, County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i with Chairman Rell Woodward presiding. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Rell Woodward, Dean Au, Takashi Domingo, Wallace Ishibashi, Zendo Kern, and Stephen Ono. STAFF PRESENT: Brandon Gonzalez (Deputy Corporation Counsel), Kelly Gomes representing Department of Public Works, BJ Leithead Todd (Planning Director), Daryn Arai (Planning Program Manager), Jeff Darrow (Staff Planner) and Maija Cottle (Staff Planner). 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 took up the following item at 9:10 a.m. with six people from the public in attendance. APPLICANTS: JIN SOO AND RAN HUI IIDA (REZ 07-073) Amendment to Change of Zone Ordinance No. 08-039, which changed the district zoning of the subject 23,559 square-foot property from Single-Family Residential-10,000 square feet (RS-10) to Neighborhood Commercial-20,000 square feet (CN-20). The amendment request is to delete Condition D that restricts uses on the property to personal services, residential and residential- related. The property is located along the west side of Kilauea Avenue, approximately 420 feet south of the Kilauea Avenue-Puainako Street intersection, Waiakea Homestead Houselots, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-40:121. (SEE EXHIBIT A) The Commission then took up the following item at 9:50 a.m. with three people from the public in attendance. APPLICANT: COUNTY OF HAWAII, DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION (SPP 10-104) Special Permit to allow for the expansion of the existing 17.8-acre Alae Cemetery. The proposed 11.079-acre expansion area is situated adjacent to and west (mauka) of the existing cemetery, on lands situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. Alae Cemetery and 1 the proposed expansion site are situated along the west (mauka) side of Highway 19 (Hawaii Belt Road), approximately 1.7 miles north of Hilo, Alae, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-6-12:48. 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. In response to Commissioner Domingo’s inquiries, Mr. Darrow noted that there are approximately 9,200 plots on the existing site and the expanded area will allow an additional 5,000 to 6,000 plots, adding that the Department of Parks and Recreation is no longer accepting reservations for any of its plots. Commissioner Ono felt the subject area was ideal for residential homes because of the excellent view and being that a cemetery does not generate any revenue for the County. The applicant’s representatives, James Komata and Ron Terry, were in attendance. Mr. Komata clarified for the record that the pavilion is something they are considering in the future and not part of the current development plan, currently there are 90 to 125 plots requested per year, and the reservation policy is no longer in effect, although they do have some outstanding reservation commitments. Commissioner Domingo questioned the administration’s long-term plans for cemetery plots, noting there was discussion when he was on the County Council many years ago to turn it over to a private company. The Chair noted that there are three private cemetery businesses around the island. Ms. Leithead Todd noted the County Council in 1996 approved the purchase of this property from Bishop Estate for the specific purpose of expanding Alae Cemetery, noting according to Mr. Terry the County cemetery is more affordable for individuals than a private cemetery business. Mr. Terry added he has an undated and unsigned Council resolution that was introduced in l995 that started this process, and the environmental assessment was conducted in 1996 and 1997. In response to Commissioner Kern’s inquiry, Mr. Komata said the County charges $250 for a burial site, and the estimated cost of the project is $1 million. Mr. Komata said he has read the conditions and noted that he does not see a problem with Condition 3 as the driveway plans were prepared by the Department of Public Works. He later noted there is some urgency in the approval of the request inasmuch as they have just a 9- to 12- month capacity of plots remaining. In response to Commissioner Ono’s inquiries, Mr. Komata said they do not do urn plots within the current Alae Cemetery boundaries but for this new section they are considering replicating what they do with the veterans cemetery of having an urn section, which would give them more plots per acre. He said the standard burial plots are 4’x9’ and the urn plots are 3’x5’, clarifying 2 that they are looking at individual plots and not a columbarium-type situation. In response to Commissioner Ono’s further inquiries, Mr. Komata said although they have not done any calculations, since the County will be maintaining the plots in perpetuity at some point the cost for the County to maintain the plots will be greater than the $250 purchase price of the plot. In response to Commissioner Kern’s inquiries, Mr. Komata said it was difficult to single out the cost for the annual maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery as staff that maintains the cemetery maintains other parks, and that the administration is looking at its policy on fees and charges but he did not know if it included burial fees. Commissioner Kern said at $250 a plot for 6,000 plots, the cost would be $1.5 million and approximately $.5 million could be used for maintenance, which appears to be close to penciling it out for a number of years. He said it would help the Commission in making its decision if the applicant provides cost estimates for the project as the County needs to be able to have the project make economic sense. Commissioner Domingo noted the maintenance of cemetery plots in Honokaa is contracted to Brantley Center, a nonprofit organization. The Chair noted the Commission’s decision should be based on land use considerations and not whether the County will be making or losing money. In response to Commissioner Ono’s and Kern’s inquiries, Mr. Komata said the Department immediately assigns a plot once a death certificate and the necessary credentials are submitted, and either the mortuary or a family member would contract for the digging of the plot. Mr. Darrow added that the County does allow spouses to be buried on the same plot. It was moved by Commissioner Domingo and seconded by Commissioner Kern that the application be approved as recommended by the Planning Director. Commissioner Kern commented that any land use decision the Commission makes does impact the economic vitality of the community; and when an application makes sense and is good for the community, then it’s an important element in land use decisions. Commissioner Kern referred to the Cost of Government Commission’s letter to reduce spending and increase efficiency in government, which is something the Commission should consider in every application. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Doming, Kern, Au, Ishibashi, Ono, and Woodward). MINUTES - The Commission took up the following minutes at this time, 10:15 a.m. 3 August 8, 2010 - It was moved by Commissioner Kern and seconded by Commissioner Domingo that the minutes be approved as circulated. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS – There was nothing discussed under Administrative Matters. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 10:16 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon M. Nomura, Secretary A T T E S T: Rell Woodward, Chairman Windward Planning Commission 4