HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-06 Planning Commission Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 6, 2008
The Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:17 a.m. in the Aupuni Center Conference
Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, Hawaii with First Vice-Chairman Rell Woodward presiding.
PRESENT: Rell Woodward ABSENT & EXCUSED: Rodney Watanabe
C. Kimo Alameda
Lani Bowman
Takashi Domingo
Frederic Housel
Andrew Iwashita
Shelly Ogata (Left at 10:35 a.m. and returned at 1:40 p.m.)
Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Christopher Yuen, Planning Director
Norman Hayashi, Staff Planner
Phyllis Fujimoto, Staff Planner
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The Chair welcomed and thanked the public for their attendance and then introduced the
Commissioners and staff to members of the public. The Chair then explained the procedures the
Commission will be following today.
REZ 08-000081 The Commission took this item up at 9:18 a.m. with
SONOMURA approximately 16 people from the public in attendance.
RENTALS, LLC
WAIAKEA,
SOUTH HILO
APPLICANT: SONOMURA RENTALS, LLC (REZ 08-000081)
a. State Land Use Boundary Amendment from Agricultural to Urban for 6.3 acres of
land.
b. Change of zone from Agricultural 3-acre (A-3a) to Residential and Agricultural .5
acre (RA-.5a) for 6.3 acres of land.
The property is located along the west side of Awa Street approximately 1,300 feet north of the
Awa Street – Makalika Street intersection, Panaewa Farm Lots, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii,
TMK: 2-2-48:10 and 120.
(SEE EXHIBIT A)
RECESSED The Chair called a recess at 10:35 a.m.
RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 10:46 a.m.
SPP 08-00006 The Commission took this item up at 10:46 a.m. with
DANIEL PALEKA JR. approximately 13 people from the public in attendance.
& SUSANNE PALEKA
KURTISTOWN,
PUNA
APPLICANTS: DANIEL PALEKA JR. & SUSANNE PALEKA (SPP 08-000067)
Special Permit to allow the establishment of a two-bedroom bed and breakfast operation within
an existing single-family dwelling situated on 3 acres of land within the State Land Use
Agricultural District. The property is located along the east side of Poouli Road (Road 10),
approximately 300 feet southeast of the Kea Road – Poouli Road intersection, Hawaiian Acres
Subdivision, Kurtistown, Puna, Hawaii, TMK: 1-6-57:17.
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
recommended approval of the application with conditions.
For Commissioner Alameda’s information, staff noted that the setbacks for the property are
20 feet on the sides, and 30 feet on the front and back of the property.
The applicants, Daniel and Susanne Paleka, were in attendance.
Daniel Paleka explained their proposal to have a 2-bedroom bed and breakfast operation in their
existing home, noting they both have backgrounds in hotel service management.
In response to Commissioner Housel’s inquiry, Mr. Paleka said they grow for their personal use,
vegetables, such as beans and tomatoes, and there is no livestock on the property at this time. He
said for this property his primary business would be the bed and breakfast. He said their home is
set back approximately 120 to 150 feet front the frontage of the property and parking will not be
an issue as it will be done on the property. He said he has notified his neighbors within a 500-
foot radius and the only letter received was from Dorothy Hirowatari representing the owner of
the adjacent vacant property.
Susanne Paleka said she feels they could share the beauty of the islands with their proposal and
incorporate local values and cultures with people visiting the islands.
Commissioner Bowman felt that since Susanne Paleka speaks fluent French and German her
proposal would be a good market for European travelers, to which Mrs. Paleka noted she noticed
Europeans enjoy a more family than hotel setting.
For Commissioner Alameda’s information, Mrs. Paleka noted the closest bed and breakfasts are
in Fern Acres about 4 ½ miles away and Orchidland Estates which is about two miles always.
It was moved by Commissioner Iwashita and seconded by Commissioner Alameda that the
application be approved as recommended by the Planning Director with conditions.
Commissioner Domingo said he has always been an advocate for bed and breakfasts as it
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supplements the income of an owner who has extra rooms and addresses a need for visitors
wanting to experience the local way of life. Commissioner Alameda agreed that the local
upbringing, diversity of people and different language competencies will add greatly to attract
European visitors. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Iwashita,
Alameda, Bowman, Domingo, Houser, and Woodward) and two absent and excused (Ogata and
Watanabe).
SMA 08-000029 The Commission took this item up at 11:01 a.m. with
JOHN AND three people from the public in attendance.
SANDRA BARSELL
KAPOHO,
PUNA
APPLICANTS: JOHN AND SANDRA BARSELL (SMA 08-000029)
Special Management Area Use Permit to allow the construction of a second single-family
dwelling and related improvements on 16.9 acres of land situated within the Special
Management Area. The property is located at 14-4934 Laimana Road in the Kapoho Beach Lots
Subdivision, Puna, Hawaii, TMK: 1-4-002:036.
(SEE EXHIBIT B)
SMA 08-000027 The Commission took this item up at 1:51 p.m. with two
E. COMMERCE people from the public in attendance.
ENTERPRISES
CORPORATION
PAHOA,
NORTH KOHALA
APPLICANT: E. COMMERCE ENTERPRISES CORPORATION
(SMA 08-000027)
Special Management Area Use Permit to allow the construction of an approximately 2,000 lineal
feet pedestrian path and landscaping. The properties involved are a part of the Pahoa Beach
Estates Subdivision located along the western banks of Waipiele Gulch, Pahoa, North Kohala,
Hawaii, TMK: 5-5-8:66 and 67.
(SEE EXHIBIT C)
MINUTES The Commission took this item up at 2:17 p.m.
October 3, 2008 – It was moved by Commissioner Alameda, 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:
Leeward and Windward Planning Commissions – Mr. Yuen briefly explained the recently
adopted Charter amendment to establish the Leeward and Windward Planning Commissions.
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ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting
adjourned at 2:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon M. Nomura, East Hawaii Secretary
A T T E S T:
Rell Woodward, First Vice Chairman
Planning Commission
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