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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-04 Planning Commission Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES AUGUST 4, 2006 The Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:10 a.m. in the County Building, Councilroom – Room 201, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii, with Chairman C. Kimo Alameda presiding. PRESENT:C. Kimo AlamedaABSENT & EXCUSED: Rene’ Siracusa Fred Galdones Bill Graham Andrew Iwashita Jeffrey McCall Alvin Rho Allen Salavea Rodney Watanabe Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel Christopher J. 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. SMA 06-000014The Commission took this item up at 9:05 a.m. with KITAGAWA AND approximately 8 people from the public in attendance. CO., LTD. WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: I. KITAGAWA AND CO., LTD. (SMA 06-000014) Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit to allow the expansion of an existing pre- owned vehicles sales operation and the construction of an automobile sales and service facility. The property is located at the western corner of the Kalanianaole Avenue – Kumau Street intersection, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-1-7:7. (SEE EXHIBIT A) SPP 06-000029The Commission took this item up at 10:14 a.m. LOTUS SANDERSONapproximately 6 people from the public in attendance. KAIWIKI, SOUTH HILO 1 APPLICANT: LOTUS SANDERSON (SPP 06-000029) Special Permit to allow the establishment of a 5-bedroom bed and breakfast operation within an existing single family dwelling situated on 3 acres of land in the State Land Use Agricultural District. The property is located on the southeast side of the Kaiwiki rd Homestead Road – Old Mamalahoa Highway intersection, Kaiwiki 3 Homesteads, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-9-4:14. 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 the Planning Director recommended approval of the application with conditions. For Commissioner Salavea’s information, Mr. Darrow said that the pavement goes from the subject property down approximately 3 miles to the highway. The applicant, Lotus Sanderson, stated she had no questions or concerns regarding the Planning Department’s recommendation. In response to Commissioner Galdones’ inquiry, Ms. Sanderson said she felt this property was a really special place that a lot of people will enjoy as it has the view of the sunrise over the ocean, it is very quiet and it is a place where people can be in nature and breathe the fresh air. She said there is a trail that leads to the top of Kahuna Falls and a trail that leads through a pretty dense forest area to the top of Akaka Falls but they will not allow guests to use this trail as it might be dangerous for them, noting they do not intend to cut down any of the trees on the property unless they are required by the County. There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the agenda item. It was moved by Commissioner Salavea and seconded by Commissioner Iwashita that the application be approved as recommended by the Planning Director. Commissioner Graham felt what motivated Commissioner Galdones’ earlier comments was there was atmosphere that maybe this property would be more of a tourist destination as opposed to a B&B. Director Yuen said that there was nothing wrong with a B&B trying to create an attractive environment in itself where maybe the guests would spend a good deal of time enjoying the surroundings of the B&B. Commissioner Galdones clarified that he agreed with the applicant that the area was very beautiful and peaceful and just wanted to know what made her decide to do her B&B on the subject property. In response to Commissioner Galdones’s inquiry, Director Yuen said the main issue for the Planning Department is with respect to the houses or structures being visible from the Akaka Falls, noting the Department would not have a problem with the applicant improving the trails in a safe manner so people can get a view of the Falls from the subject property. Commissioner Galdones then expressed his concern on liability on the part of the applicant to provide a trail as part of the amenities and questioned if it would be part of the County’s responsibility to determine the safety of the trail. Director Yuen said if the applicant were asking it as part of the permit he thought it would be part of the County’s responsibility; however, this is not what the applicant is asking as part of their permit, noting the applicant is conscious of the safety aspects of using an informal trail. A roll 2 call vote was taken and motion carried with eight ayes (Salavea, Iwashita, Galdones, Graham, McCall, Rho, Watanabe and Alameda), and one absent and excused (Siracusa). REZ 06-000040The Commission took this item up at 10:31 a.m. with ASSOCIATION OF approximately six people from the public in attendance. APARTMENT OWNERS OF LANIKAULA PROFESSIONAL CENTER WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: ASSOCIATION OF APARTMENT OWNERS OF LANIKAULA PROFESSIONAL CENTER (REZ 06-000040) Change of Zone for 33,806 square feet of land from a Single-Family Residential – 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to a General Commercial – 20,000 square feet (CG-20) district. The property is the site of the existing Lanikaula Professional Center located at the corner of Kilauea Avenue and Lanikaula Street, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-28:31. (SEE EXHIBIT B, PAGES 1 TO 8.) REZ 898The Commission took this item up at 11:10 a.m. with SEAWIND approximately 4 people from the public in attendance. HOLDING, INC. WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: SEAWIND HOLDING, INC. (REZ 898) Request for time extensions to Condition B (water commitment payment) and Condition C (completion of construction) of Ordinance No. 98-98 which rezoned 21,050 square feet of land from a Single-Family Residential – 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to an Industrial – Commercial Mixed – 20,000 square feet (MCX-20) district. The property is located along the west side of Kanoelehua Avenue, approximately 190 feet from the Kanoelehua Avenue – Lanikaula Street intersection, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-37:29. 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 the Planning Director recommended a favorable consideration of the time extensions. He noted several correspondence have been submitted into the record. Commissioner McCall questioned whether the 90-day water commitment in Condition B was a standard condition, to which the Director responded in the affirmative. The applicant’s representative, Wayne Okutsu, said the tenant would determine the strength of the financing, size of the building, and how much water would be consumed, noting a tenant involved in the food chain business would use much more water than an 3 office tenant. He requested more than the 90 days recommended in Condition B inasmuch as they have not yet secured a tenant. Mr. Yuen said he did not have a problem extending it to 180 days but noted that they really did not have a lot of complaints about the 90 days. In response to Commissioner Watanabe’s inquiry, Mr. Yuen said it would be easier to allow the 180 days rather than 90 days and having the applicant come in for a time extension. There was no one from the public wishing to testify on this agenda item. It was moved by Commissioner Galdones and seconded by Commissioner Watanabe that the request for time extensions be approved as recommended by the Planning Director with Condition B amended to state 180 days rather than 90 days. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with eight ayes (Galdones, Watanabe, Graham, Iwashita, McCall, Rho, Salavea, and Alameda) and one absent and excused (Siracusa). At 11:20 a.m., the Commission again took up Association of Apartment Owners of Lanikaula Professional Center’s REZ 06-000040 application. (SEE EXHIBIT B, PAGE 8) REZ 06-000042The Commission took this item up 11:21 a.m. with JAMES ISHIIapproximately 3 people from the public in attendance. WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: JAMES ISHII (REZ 06-000042) Change of Zone for 21,050 square feet of land from a Single-Family Residential – 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to an Industrial-Commercial Mixed – 20,000 square feet (MCX-20) district. The property is located along the west side of Kanoelehua Avenue, approximately 90 feet south of the Kanoelehua Avenue – Kekuanaoa Street intersection, st Waiakea House Lots , 1 Series, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-35:63. Mr. Hayashi 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. The applicant, James Ishii, stated he has received the Planning Department’s background report and recommendation and has heard the staff’s presentation and had nothing to add. There was no one wishing to testify on this agenda item. It was moved by Commissioner Watanabe and seconded by Commissioner Galdones to send a favorable recommendation to the County Council as recommended by the 4 Planning Director. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with eight ayes (Watanabe, Galdones, Graham, Iwashita, McCall, Rho, Salavea and Alameda) and one absent and excused (Siracusa). RECESSEDThe Chair called a short recess at 11:29 a.m. RECONVENEDThe meeting reconvened at 11:34 a.m. The Commission at this time again took up the Association of Apartment Owners of Lanikaula Professonal Center’s application (REZ 06-000040). (SEE EXHIBIT B, PAGE 8) RECESSEDThe Chair called a lunch recess at this time, 11:41 a.m. RECONVENEDThe meeting reconvened at 1:10 p.m. The Commission at this time again took up the Association of Apartment Owners of Lanikaula Professonal Center’s application (REZ 06-000040). (SEE EXHIBIT B, PAGES 8 TO 14.) REZ 06-000043The Commission took this item up at 1:26 p.m. with NST approximately 6 people from the public in attendance. DEVELOPMENT, LLC WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: NST DEVELOPMENT, LLC (REZ 06-000043) Change of Zone for 22,900 square feet of land from a Single-Family Residential – 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to an Industrial-Commercial Mixed – 20,000 square feet (MCX-20) district. The property is located along the north side of Lanikaula Street, approximately 112 feet from the Lanikaula Street – Laukapu Street intersection, Waiakea House Lots, st 1 Series, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-36:64 and 134. (SEE EXHIBIT C) RECESSEDThe Chair called a short recess at 2:10 p.m. RECONVENEDThe meeting reconvened at 2:15 p.m. SPP 06-000030The Commission took this item up at 2:15 p.m. with MILTON MCNICOLL, III approximately 3 people from the public in attendance. WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO 5 APPLICANT: MILTON MCNICOLL, III (SPP 06-000030) Special Permit to allow the establishment of a commercial vehicle storage and baseyard facility on 0.723 acres of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The property is located along the east side of Ainaola Drive, approximately 300 feet nd south of the Ainaola Drive – Hoaka Road intersection, Waiakea Homesteads 2 Series, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-4-34: portion of 3. (SEE EXHIBIT D) MINUTESAt 4:11 p.m., the Commission took up the following minutes: June 2, 2006 – It was moved by Commissioner Galdones and seconded by Commissioner McCall 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 under MATTERSadministrative matters at this time, 4:12 p.m. Status of appeals filed on Planning Commission decisions - Corporation Counsel – Mr. Torigoe had nothing new to report. Other Commission matters – Mr. Hayashi reported that the contested case hearing for the ) CATHERINE V. GIACOMETTI EVANS FAMILY TRUST (SMA 05-006was conducted by Hearing Officer Michael Gibson who requested all parties submit proposed findings of fact, noting that this matter may be before the Commission in September. He added that the contested case hearing for SUNSTONE KONA, LLC (SMA 05-005) st to be conducted by Hearing Officer Sandra Song has been rescheduled to August 31. HCPO – Mr. Hayashi suggested the Commission make their hotel reservations as soon as possible because of the limited amount of available rooms. Angel Pilago’s Correspondence on Bill 308 Bifurcating the Commission to East Hawaii and West Hawaii Planning –Mr. Torigoe said that Councilman Pilago requested comments from the Chairman of the Planning Commission on this bill; however, the Chair could not respond in a timely manner as the correspondence was erroneously sent to Val Cook, Chairman of the Board of Appeals. Mr. Torigoe said his understanding is that this bill died because there were only two votes at the first reading, noting it is an interesting concept that the Commission may want to weigh. Mr. Yuen clarified that this bill did not pass and that it was introduced too late to be introduced as a Charter amendment for this fall’s election, adding that if it is introduced again it will be placed on the Planning Commission’s agenda for discussion to come up with a position to go to the Council. Commissioner Iwashita felt if the island-wide community development plan was completed there would not be such a proposal as there would be a process where people can be directly involved in providing input, noting it would reduce the Planning Commission’s workload. 6 ANNOUNCEMENTSThe following was made under announcement: Commission Meeting – Mr. Hayashi announced that the next meeting is scheduled for th August 25 in Kona. ADJOURNMENTThere being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at4:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon M. Nomura, Secretary A T T E S T: C. Kimo Alameda, Chairman Planning Commission 7