HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-01 Windward Planning Commission Minutes WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
MINUTES
DECEMBER 1, 2022
The Windward Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:04 a.m., in the County of
Hawaii, Council Chambers, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii, with Chairman Dennis Lin
presiding with a live stream video for the public to observe the meeting.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Dennis Lin, Gilbert Aguinaldo, Lauren Balog, John Cross,
Louis Daniele III.
ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Wayne De Luz.
ALSO PRESENT: Sinclair Salas-Ferguson, Esq. (Counsel for the Commission), Jean Campbell,
Esq. (Counsel for the Planning Department), Jeffrey Darrow(Deputy Planning Director), Clinton
Mercado (Planner), Janice Hata(Zoom Host), Maija Jackson (Planning Program Manager) and
Melissa Dacayanan-Salvador (Windward Planning Commission Secretary).
Five public members were in the audience.
A quorum was present. Chairman Lin called the meeting to order and introduced Commissioners
and staff.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
At 9:06 a.m. the Commission took up the minutes of the November 3, 2022, Windward Planning
Commission meeting. No corrections were offered. It was moved by Commissioner Cross and
seconded by Commissioner Daniele that the minutes be approved as submitted. A voice vote
was taken, and the motion carried with all in favor.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
At 9:07 a.m. Chairman Lin explained the procedure and Planning Commission Rule 1-5
regarding decorum.
There was no in-person testifier, and the registered Zoom testifier was not available to testify.
NEW BUSINESS
1. APPLICANT: ORCHIDLAND NEIGHBORS (PL-SPP-2022-000013)
Application for a Special Permit to develop and operate a multi-purpose community
facility on approximately 4.0 acres of land in the State Land Use Agricultural District.
The subject property is located at 16-1661 36 b Avenue, approximately 530 feet northwest
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of its intersection with Orchidland Drive, Orchid Land Estates, Kea`au, Puna, Hawaii,
TMK: (3) 1-6-010:005.
The Commission took up this item at 9:10 a.m. with eight public members in the audience.
One individual from the public provided testimony regarding this item and at 9:25 a.m. the Zoom
testifier had left the Zoom platform and Chairman Lin stated public testimony is closed.
Action: It was moved by Commissioner Aguinaldo and seconded by Commissioner Daniele that
the application for Special Permit, Docket No. 2022-000013, be approved based on the Planning
Director's recommendation. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried with five ayes
(Aguinaldo, Daniele, Balog, Cross, Lin) and one excused (De Luz).
This hearing item ended at 9:46 a.m. [SEE HEARING TRANSCRIPT EXHIBIT A]
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Report on Special Management Area (SMA) determinations, minor permits action issued
by the Planning Director.
At 9:47 a.m. Chairman Lin introduced this item. Program Planning Manager, Maija Jackson
stated the Short-Form Assessment Log and the SMA Assessment Log were emailed to the
Commissioners. There were no questions about the log from Commissioners.
ELECTION OF OFFICER for 2023
At 9:48 a.m. Chairman Lin opened the floor for nomination for chairperson for 2023.
Commissioner Aguinaldo made a motion to nominate Chairman Lin and the motion was
seconded by Commissioner Daniele. There were no other nominations, and a voice vote was
taken, and it was approved unanimously for Chairman Lin to continue as the chairperson.
Chairman Lin accepted the position.
Chairman Lin opened the floor for nomination for vice chairperson. There were no nominations,
and Commissioner Daniele volunteered to be vice chairperson. Then Commissioner Aguinaldo
made a motion for the nomination of Commissioner Daniele for vice chairperson and the motion
was seconded by Commissioner Cross. There were no other nominations, and a voice vote was
taken and was approved unanimously.
Deputy Planning Director Jeffrey Darrow honored and appreciated Commissioner Aguinaldo as
his term will end on December 31, 2022, and stated he graciously accepted to holdover for three
months. He presented a certificate of appreciation signed by Mayor Mitchell Roth. Deputy
Planning Director Darrow also expressed the appreciation for the rest of the Commission for
their volunteered services. Commissioner Aguinaldo shared some of his experiences while
serving on the Commission. He showed his heartfelt gratitude to the Mayor and the Planning
staff for teaching and giving him knowledge. Chairman Lin also thanked Commissioner
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Aguinaldo for his services and appreciated his insights and knowledge being born and raised in
the Puna and Pahoa area.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
At 10:04 a.m. Chairman Lin introduced this item. Program Planning Manager, Maija Jackson
stated there are three (3) agenda items for January 2023. Chairman Lin made an announcement
that the Planning Department is having their holiday party on December 10t' at the Fairway Grill
and told Commissioners that if they haven't signed up, to make the payment with the
department.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Windward Planning Commission's next monthly meeting is tentatively scheduled for
Friday,January 6, 2023, at the County of Hawaii County Council Chambers and the
public may provide verbal testimony by interactive video conference via Zoom or at the
physical location.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved by Commissioner Daniele and seconded by
Commissioner Aguinaldo that the meeting be adjourned. A voice vote was taken, and the
motion carried by unanimous vote of those present. Chairman Lin adjourned the meeting at
10:05 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Dacayanan-Salvador
Secretary
ATTEST:
Dennis Lin, Chairman
Windward Planning Commission
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