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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-08 Windward Planning Commission Minutes WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES JANUARY 4, 2010 The Windward Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. in the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i with Chairman Rell Woodward presiding. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Rell Woodward, Dean Au, Takashi Domingo, Andrew Iwashita, Zendo Kern, and Wallace Ishibashi. STAFF PRESENT: Brandon Gonzalez (Deputy Corporation Counsel), BJ Leithead Todd (Planning Director - left at 12 noon), Margaret Masunaga, Phyllis Fujimoto (Staff Planner), 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 the following item up at 9:05 a.m. with 23 people from the public in attendance: APPLICANT: CONNIE & MARCEL HERNANDEZ (SPP 09-89) Special Permit to allow the establishment of a naturopathic retreat center, which would include overnight guests, seminars, individual consultations, massage therapy, acupuncture, and educational tours on 3.111 acres of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The property is located along the north side of Highway 240 (47-4628 Honokaa – Waipio Road), adjacent to and west of Kapulena Subdivision, Unit I, Haukoi, Hamakua, Hawaii, TMK: 4-7-1:13. (SEE EXHIBIT A) RECESSED - The Chair called a short recess at 10:21 a.m. RECONVENED- The meeting reconvened at 10:31 a.m. The Commission took the following item up at 10:31 a.m. with 28 people from the public in attendance: 0 APPLICANT: CONCEPT CONSTRUCTION, INC. (REZ 09-000108) Change of Zone for 40,764 square feet of land from a Single-Family Residential 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to a Neighborhood-Commercial 20,000 square feet (CN-20) district. The property is located along the west side of Kinoole Street, adjacent and to the south of the Law Offices of Tsukazaki Yeh and Moore, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-25:22. Ms. Cottle 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’s favorable recommendation to the County Council with conditions. The applicant’s representatives, Tom Yeh and Bruce Hansen, were in attendance. Mr. Yeh stated the proposed conditions were acceptable and reasonable to the applicant. Mr. Hanson briefly described his rendering of the facility that will fit within the neighborhood, noting their intention is to put landscaping around the building to give patients privacy. He said they are intending to purchase the 30-foot right-of-way parcel in the rear to be able to have 40 feet of lawn in the front of the building. The Chair felt the facility will fit in with the character of the surrounding area. Commissioner Iwashita said his more recent concern is having walkable communities, especially in this particular area near the University. Mr. Yeh said upon further consideration, they have agreed with the recommendation of the Department of Public Works to increase the width of the sidewalk, noting he imagined over time this will be what will be happening in this area. Commissioner Domingo felt this project was a good model for future developments other than residential homes, wherein a building is not laden with concrete all around the building. There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the application. Director Leithead Todd thanked Mr. Hansen for providing the rendering today as she did have concerns on what the project would look like. She felt the facility dovetails beautifully into the surrounding area, noting her greatest concern was changing the ambiance and character of one of the most beautiful blocks in Hilo. She said she liked the style of the roofline and unique architecture that has the partial Asian and partial Hawaiian feel with the surrounding landscaping. It was moved by Commissioner Iwashita and seconded by Commissioner Domingo to send a favorable recommendation to the County Council as recommended by the Planning Department, with the proposed conditions. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Iwashita, Domingo, Au, Ishibashi, Kern and Woodward). The Commission took the following item up at 10:40 a.m. with 30 people from the public in 1 attendance: APPLICANT: C.L. CARLILE ENTERPRISES, L.P. (SPP 09-000093) Special Permit to allow a visitor center with a certified kitchen for the sale of food and retail items on 5 acres of land within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The property is located along the south side of Umauma Gulch, and Old Mamalahoa Highway, Wailua Government Tract, North Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 3-1-1: portion of 22. (SEE EXHIBIT B) The Commission took the following item up at 11:25 a.m. with 15 people from the public in attendance: APPLICANT: COUNTY OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION (SMA 09-000036) Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit to allow the redevelopment and improvements to Reed’s Bay Beach Park, including new restroom pavilion, walkways, walls, landscaping and related improvements. The property is the site of the existing beach park located along the makai side of Banyan Drive, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-1-5:1. (SEE EXHIBIT C) MINUTES – At 1:42 p. m, the Commission took up the following minutes: December 4, 2009 – It was moved by Commissioner Iwashita and seconded by Commissioner Ishibashi that the minutes be approved. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS – There was no discussion under administrative matters. ANNOUNCEMENTS – The next meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2010. - ADJOURNMENTThere being no further business the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 1:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon M. Nomura, Secretary A T T E S T: Rell Woodward, Chairman Windward Planning Commission 2