The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2007-06-05 Planning Commission Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES JUNE 5, 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. PRESENT: William Graham (left at 12:07 p.m.) ABSENT & EXCUSED: Takashi Domingo C. Kimo Alameda Alvin Rho Andrew Iwashita (from 9:27 a.m.) Shelly Ogata Rene’ Siracusa Rodney Watanabe Rell Woodward Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel Christopher Yuen, Planning Director Norman Hayashi, Staff Planner Phyllis Fujimoto, Staff Planner Jeff Darrow, Staff Planner The Chair introduced the Commissioners and staff to members of the public. REZ 746 The Commission took this item up at 9:05 a.m. with BRIAN AND approximately 11 people from the public in attendance. RAMONA SAKAMOTO WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: BRIAN AND RAMONA SAKAMOTO (REZ 746) Request to amend conditions B (time to secure Final Plan Approval) and J (annual progress reporting requirement) of Change of Zone Ordinance No. 93-101, which rezoned 20,812 square feet of land from an Office Commercial – 20,000 square feet (CO-20) to a General Commercial – 20,000 square feet (CG-20) district. The property is located along the north side of Lanihuli Street, approximately 256 feet east of the Lanihuli Street – Kinoole Street intersection, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-21:7 (parcel 46 consolidated with parcel 7). Commissioner Iwashita recused himself on this matter because of a possible conflict of interest as his business is located in close proximity to the subject property. 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 comments were recently received from the Department of Water Supply. He stated that the Planning Director recommends approval of the application with conditions. Commissioner Siracusa questioned why the applicant was not submitting a new application since Condition C to complete construction 3 years from the date of issuance of final plan approval, which was January 17, 1995, was not complied with by the previous owner. In response, Mr. Yuen said this was a time when the Department would re-evaluate whether the zoning was appropriate; and given the trends in the neighborhood of commercial zonings in the immediate area and existing conditions, they felt the continuation of the existing zoning was appropriate. He noted the Commission could recommend the time extension be denied and the property be reverted to residential or some other zoning. For Commissioner Woodward’s information, Mr. Darrow clarified that the affordable housing condition only becomes a consideration if the residential housing is built. The applicant, Ramona Sakamoto, stated the conditions proposed by the Planning Director will be complied with. Commissioner Siracusa said she found it rather strange that the applicants never thought to inquire of the previous owner about any conditions or liens on the property before purchasing it, noting they could have cancelled the sale since the information was not disclosed to them. Ms. Sakamoto stated unfortunately no information was disclosed to them about complying with the conditions by their realtor or the seller’s realtor until after the purchase was made, to which Mr. Woodward noted that disclosure of information was the realtors’ responsibility and not her problem. There was no one wishing to testify on this application. Commissioner Watanabe noted there were quite a number of existing commercial establishments in the area and said he sees that the area is changing, noting the General Plan encompasses this area as high density. Mr. Yuen said part of the reason for the favorable recommendation is that the area is High Density Urban on the 1971 General Plan map. It was moved by Commissioner Watanabe and seconded by Commissioner Woodward to send a favorable recommendation to the Hawaii County Council as recommended by the Planning Director with proposed conditions. Commissioner Siracusa stated she will vote against the motion, noting immediately surrounding this parcel are three RS-10 zoned parcels. Commissioner Watanabe commented that none of the single family residents surrounding this particular property have objected to the request; and he said he thought it was generally accepted that the general nature of this area is going to change. Commissioner Watanabe added that he did not see this as an issue since this area has been designated high density urban on the 1971 General Plan map, and he felt from 1971 till present is sufficient time for the public to seek any amendments. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with five ayes (Watanabe, Woodward, Alameda, Ogata and Graham) and one no (Siracusa). REZ 07-000065 The Commission took this item up at 9:27 a.m. with CYNTHIA approximately 12 people from the public in attendance. KUULEI THOMAS WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO 2 APPLICANT: CYNTHIA KUULEI THOMAS (REZ 07-000065) Change of Zone from Single-Family Residential – 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to Industrial- Commercial Mixed – 20,000 square feet (MCX-20) district for 22,500 square feet of land. The property is located on the northwest side of the Lanikaula Street – Hinano Street intersection, st Waiakea Houselots 1 Series, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-36:90. (SEE EXHIBIT A) RECESSED The Chair called a recess at this time, 9:52 a.m. RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 10:05 a.m. SMA 07-000017 The Commission took this item up at 10:05 a.m. with MATSON NAVIGATION approximately 19 people from the public in attendance. COMPANY WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT:MATSON NAVIGATION COMPANY (SMA 07-000017) Special Management Area Use Permit to allow the construction of a 1,760-square foot (88’ x 20’) modular office building and related improvements at the Hilo Harbor. The proposed office building will gain access from Kalanianaole Avenue, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-1-9:26. (SEE EXHIBIT B) RECESSED The Chair called a recess at this time, 10:45 a.m. RECONVENED The meeting reconvened at 10:57 a.m. REZ 07-000066 The Commission took this item up at 10:57 a.m. with FRANCIS & approximately 19 people from the public in attendance. MARTHA RODILLAS PONAHAWAI, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: FRANCIS & MARTHA RODILLAS (REZ 07-000066) Change of Zone from an Agricultural 3-acre (A-3a) to a Family Agricultural 2-acre (FA-2a) district for 4.76 acres of land. The property is located along the northeast (makai) side of Akala Road, approximately 73 feet from the Akala Road – Kaumana Drive intersection and in the vicinity of Kaumana Cave, Ponahawai, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-5-40:18. (SEE EXHIBIT C) ZONING CODE The Commission took these items up simultaneously at 11:19 a.m. COUNTY COUNCIL with approximately 33 people from the public in attendance. PLANNING DIRECTOR SUPERSTORE 3 INITIATOR: COUNTY COUNCIL Amendment to Chapter 25 (Zoning Code), Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition), as amended, relating to Retail Establishments. The proposed amendment would not permit “superstores” in any zoning district. “Superstore” means a business exceeding 90,000 gross square feet, offering for sale more than 25,000 different stock keeping units, and dedicating more than 20,000 gross square feet of floor area to the sale of groceries. INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR Amendment to Chapter 25 (Zoning Code), Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition), as amended, to create a “superstore” zoning district, which would be the only zoning district where a “superstore” would be allowed. (SEE EXHIBIT D) MINUTES The Commission took this item up at 2:20 p.m. with approximately 10 people from the public in attendance. May 4, 2007 – It was moved by Commissioner Siracusa and seconded by Commissioner Iwashita that the minutes be approved as circulated. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ADMINISTRATIVE The Commission took up the following administrative MATTERS matters at this time: Status of appeals filed on Planning Commission decisions - Corporation Counsel – Mr. Torigoe stated he had nothing new to report. ANNOUNCEMENTS The following announcement was made: Next meeting – Mr. Hayashi announced that the next meeting is scheduled for June 22, 2007 in Kona. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 2:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon M. Nomura, Secretary A T T E S T: William Graham, Chairman Planning Commission 4