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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-12-07 Planning Commission Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES DECEMBER 7, 2007 The Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:03 a.m. in the County of Hawaii, Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, Hawaii, with Chairman William Graham presiding. OQDRDMS9Vhkkh`lFq`g`l ABSENT & EXCUSED: Andrew Iwashita C. Kimo Alameda (Left at 10:19 a.m. and returned at 1:08 p.m.) Takashi Domingo Shelly Ogata (Left at 11:33 a.m.) Alvin Rho Rene’ Siracusa Rodney Watanabe Rell Woodward Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel Christopher Yuen, Planning Director Norman Hayashi, Planning Program Manager Phyllis Fujimoto, Staff Planner Jeff Darrow, Staff Planner The Chair introduced the Commissioners and staff to members of the public. All those testifying were duly sworn in. REZ 07-000071 The Commission took this item up at 9:05 a.m. with DIEN-JUNG LIN NEKOBA approximately 12 people from the public in attendance. WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: DIEN-JUNG LIN NEKOBA (REZ 07-000071) Change of Zone from Single-Family Residential 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to Neighborhood Commercial 10,000 square feet (CN-10) for approximately 39,771 square feet of land. The property is located along the south side of Kekuanaoa Street, between Manono Street and Hinano Street, Waiakea House Lots, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-36:25 and 26. (SEE EXHIBIT A) RECESSED The Chair called a recess at 9:36 a.m. RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 9:45 a.m. REZ 07-000073 The Commission took this item up at 9:45 a.m. with JINSOO AND approximately 10 people from the public in attendance. RAN HUI IIDA WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANTS: JINSOO AND RAN HUI IIDA (REZ 07-000073) Change of Zone from Single Family Residential 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to a Neighborhood Commercial 20,000 square feet (CN-20) for 23,559 square feet of land. The property is located along the west side of Kilauea Avenue, approximately 420 feet south of the Kilauea Avenue – Puainako Street intersection, Waiakea Homestead House Lots, South Hilo, Hawaii, Tax Map Key: 2-2-40:121. (SEE EXHIBIT B) RECESSED The Chair called a recess at 10:49 a.m. RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 10:56 a.m. SMA 07-000022 The Commission took this item up at 10:56 a.m. with COUNTY OF HAWAII approximately 8 people from the public in attendance. DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO COUNTY OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY (SMA 07-000022) Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit to allow the installation of air conditioning building, equipment and pipes, covered walkway, and related miscellaneous structures and improvements, including the demolition of an existing cooling tower shed. The area involved is the site of the existing Department of Water Supply office building located along the north side of Kekuanaoa Street, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-30:15. Mr. Darrow oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the presentation map and site plan. The applicant’s representatives, Gregory Mooers, Owen Nishioka and Ron Terry, were in attendance. Mr. Mooers stated they have reviewed the Planning Department’s Recommendation and agree with the proposed conditions. Mr. Rho questioned the need for a 100-square foot structure for smokers and whether it would be better to ban smoking entirely in the area. Commissioner Siracusa felt the County was sending mixed messages by spending money to convince people to stop smoking and yet it plans to 2 construct a facility for smokers. Mr. Terry said the facility is to preserve the health and comfort of others that don’t smoke. Mr. Mooers explained that it was a decision by the DWS to provide what they see as comfort for the public and so the public can avoid the second-hand smoke, and they are before the Commission today just to decide if the request complies with the SMA rules. In response to Commissioner Graham’s concerns of impacts on the SMA, Mr. Mooers noted that the impacts are minimal and they have addressed every criteria that an SMA Permit requires. He clarified that the covered walkway is so people can get out in the turnaround area and enter the building, the demolition of the building will just require removing the existing shed, and they will just be replacing an existing air conditioning building with a new one. It was moved by Commissioner Watanabe and seconded by Commissioner Alameda that the application be approved as recommended by the Planning Director. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with eight ayes (Watanabe, Alameda, Domingo, Ogata, Rho, Siracusa, Woodward and Graham) and one absent and excused (Iwashita). Commissioner Alameda was excused at this time, 11:19 a.m. SMA 07-000021 The Commission took this item up at 11:19 a.m. with HPM BUILDING SUPPLY 2 people from the public in attendance. WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO HPM BUILDING SUPPLY (SMA 07-000021) Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit to allow the demolition of two existing warehouse buildings and construction of a new building material warehouse, a new wood shed, new wood racks, and related improvements. The property involved is the existing site of HPM Building Supply’s warehouse complex situated between Kalanianaole Street and Kamehameha Avenue, adjacent to and east of the Suisan Company complex, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-1-6: 1. Mr. Darrow oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan and summarized the request. He stated the Planning Director recommends approval of the application with conditions, with the deletion of proposed Condition 6, and noted the applicant’s representative submitted a December 3, 2007 letter addressing proposed Conditions 2 and 6. In response to Commissioner Siracusa’s inquiries, Mr. Darrow indicated on the presentation map the location of the 26 proposed parking stalls and noted that the improvements referred to in Condition 2 regarding existing and/or proposed structures, driveway access, parking stalls and landscaping will be addressed at the plan approval stage. The applicant’s representatives, Jeff Melrose and John Miyata, were in attendance. In response to Commissioner Siracusa’s concern of chemicals in the lumber leaching out, Mr. Miyata and Mr. Melrose said the nature of their request is to create a covered storage area 3 for wood and building materials. Mr. Melrose clarified that the metal structures will have supporting arms and roof over the top to safely stack to a specified height, noting there are some structures already existing on the property. Chairman Graham expressed his concern of the property being too close to the ocean and affecting the water table. He then questioned the effectiveness of drywells that may be installed. Mr. Melrose said the drywells installed within the last 2-3 years in the area drain very effectively; and they will probably be required to install additional drywells with this request, noting there has been no ponding and all material is retained on the site. In response to Chairman Graham inquiries, Mr. Melrose said they are not aware of any specific studies that identify a problem in the area, noting the Department of Health periodically tests the coastal areas. There was no one from the public wishing to testify on this agenda item. It was moved by Commissioner Watanabe and seconded by Commissioner Siracusa that the application be approved based upon the Planning Director’s recommendation with conditions. In response to Mr. Darrow’s inquiry for clarification, Commissioner Watanabe and Commissioner Siracusa stated the motion included the deletion of proposed Condition No. 6. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with seven ayes (Watanabe, Siracusa, Domingo, Ogata, Rho, Woodward and Graham) and two absent and excused (Alameda and Iwashita). RECESSED The Chair recessed the meeting at 11:33 a.m., at which time Commissioner Ogata was excused from the meeting RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 1:08 p.m., at which time Commissioner Alameda returned to the meeting. . SPP 870 The Commission took this item up at 1:08 p.m. with VERNE WOOD two people from the public in attendance. KEAAU, PUNA APPLICANT: VERNE WOOD (SPP 870) Amendment to Condition No. 5 (construction timetable) of Special Permit No. 870, which allowed the development of the Orchidland Trade Center on 2.3 acres of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The property is located along the north side of Orchidland Drive, approximately 1,600 feet west of the Keaau-Pahoa Highway (Highway 130) and Orchidland Drive intersection, Orchidland Estates Subdivision, Keaau, Puna, Hawaii, TMK: 1-6-10:83. (SEE EXHIBIT C) MINUTES The Commission took up the following minutes at this time, 1:47 p.m. 4 November 2, 2007 – It was moved by Commissioner Siracusa and seconded by Commissioner Alameda that the minutes be approved. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ADMINISTRATIVE The following items were discussed under Administrative Matters: MATTERS Nominating Committee – The Commission accepted Chairman Graham and First Vice-Chairman Alameda to serve on the nominating committee for the 2008 Officers of the Planning Commission. Planning Commissioners’ Service – Mr. Hayashi noted that Commissioner Graham can continue to serve for another three months until the Council names a replacement. He added that as Commissioner Ogata has filled an unexpired term, she is able to be reappointed by the Council to serve another full term. Status of appeals filed on Planning Commission decisions - Corporation Counsel – Mr. Torigoe had nothing to report. Charter Amendment Splitting the Planning Commission into East and West Hawaii Commissions – Mr. Hayashi if the Council passes this proposal, it will be placed on the ballot for the November 2008 election. ANNOUNCEMENTS The following announcement was made: Commission Meetings – Mr. Hayashi announced the last meetings for 2007 are December 12-13, 2007 at Waikoloa. For Commissioner Alameda’s information, Mr. Hayashi noted that the Planning Director will give a progress report of the Planning Department’s activities over the past year and there will be a presentation on the progress of the community development plan. Mr. Hayashi stated he will refer Commissioner Domingo’s request for a status report on Melvin Miranda’s Special Permit No. 05-009 at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon M. Nomura, Secretary A T T E S T: William Graham, Chairman Planning Commission 5