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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-02 Planning Commission Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I MINUTES June 2, 2006 The Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:05 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: Jeffrey McCall Fred Galdones Bill Graham Andrew Iwashita Allen Salavea Rene’ Siracusa 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. REZ 06-000039The Commission took this item up at 9:05 a.m. with ALICE ADEE, M.D. approximately 3 people from the public in attendance. WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: ALICE ADEE, M.D. (REZ 06-000039) Change of Zone from a Single-Family Residential – 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to a Residential-Commercial Mixed Use - 20,000 square feet (RCX-20) district for 20,438 square feet of land. The property is located at the northwest intersection of Kinoole Street and Olona Street, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-25:18. 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 is recommending approval of the application with conditions. The applicant, Dr. Alice Adee, and her representative, Sidney Fuke, were in attendance. Mr. Fuke stated that applicant had no objections to the recommendation and proposed conditions, with the exception to proposed Condition H regarding a drainage study prior to submitting plans for plan approval. He suggested the first sentence be amended to 1 read, “If required, a drainage study shall be prepared and submitted to the Department of Public Works for review and approval, prior to submittal of plans for Plan Approval review.” He said their reasons for the suggested change are because (1) the property is not subject to any flooding as it is within the Zone X area, (2) the kinds of improvements the applicant intends to make on site would be very minimal as it is only for the expanded parking area, and (3) should at some point in time the County determine that a drainage study is needed then the County still has the ability to require it prior to the review or issuance of any building or grading permit for the project. He added they were attempting to move the project along as quickly as possible and not have to spend thousands of dollars to prepare possibly an unneeded drainage study. Director Yuen said he had no problem with having a drainage study prepared if required, but referred to the Department of Public Works April 13, 2006 comment. Mr. Fuke said he felt that comment was made independent of what the applicant is proposing and made just to protect themselves; and he pointed out his concern was of the drainage study being required prior to plan approval when at that point in time they were not into the construction plan phase. Mr. Fuke agreed with Commissioner Siracusa that page 5 of the applicant’s submittal, nd Item V. Environmenal Considerations, A. General Description, 2 paragraph the last two words should read “on-site parking” rather than “off-site parking.” In response to Commissioner Siracusa’s inquiry regarding a 25-foot height limit for the structure, Mr. Fuke suggested and the Director agreed on capping the height to what is allowed in the Zoning Code for a Single Family Residential dwelling, which is 35 feet. Commissioner Watanabe noted the Commission did impose such a condition on a previous rezoning in the Waiakea Houselots area. Dr. Addee said although she did want to retain her options as much as possible if she decided to expand in the future, she would agree to limit the height to 35 feet as her current plan is to utilize the existing structure. Dr. Addee pointed out that as immediately behind her property is a multi-story building used for student housing she did not think there would be any views obstructed should she decide to further develop her property in the future. In response to Commissioner Siracusa’s inquiry, Dr. Adee explained that medical wastes considered potentially hazardous, like syringes, are taken in a specified vehicle to an incinerator at the Hilo Medical Center to be destroyed; and the other waste is disposed of the same way as it would be in a residential area where they are put in trash cans and picked up by the trash disposal people. Dr. Adee stated they would have to comply with all the regulations of the State Department of Health. In response to Commissioner Watanabe’s request for clarification, Mr. Yuen said the Planning Department would have no problems to limit the height of the structure and to stating a drainage study shall be prepared “if required.” It was moved by Commissioner Watanabe and seconded by Commissioner Siracusa to send a favorable recommendation to the County Council based on the Planning Director’s 2 recommendation with conditions, with a new Condition E to limit the height of the structure to what is allowed in the Zoning Code for a Single Family Residential dwelling, which is 35 feet; amending existing Condition H to say that a drainage study shall be prepared “if required;” and realphabetizing of the remaining conditions. Commissioner Siracusa said she was supporting the rezoning because people currently have to travel a long distance to go to a doctor and the applicant is retaining the existing residential character of the area. Commissioner Salavea stated he supported the application in light of Dr. Adee’s relationship with the UH of providing a service to the student population as some students have transportation problems in getting to a doctor’s office. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Watanabe, Siracusa, Galdones, McCall, Salavea, and Alameda) and two absent and excused (Graham and Iwashita). SMA 06-000011The Commission took this item up at 9:37 a.m. with SUISAN COMPANY LTD. approximately 4 people from the public in attendance. WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: SUISAN COMPANY LTD. (SMA 06-000011) Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit to allow the renovation of the existing Suisan Company Ltd. complex. The renovation project will include the replacement of two existing warehouse buildings, an existing office/warehouse building, maintenance storage building and a chill box with two new warehouse buildings, a new office building, parking and related improvements. The existing Suisan Company Ltd. complex is located between Kamehameha Avenue and Kalanianaole Avenue, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-1-6:39. 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’s representatives, R. Ben Tsukazaki and Harvey Taira, were in attendance. Mr. Tsukazaki stated the applicant has no objections to the background report and recommendation, with conditions. In response to Commissioner Siracusa’s request for clarification, Mr. Tsukazaki explained that the existing buildings are very old as Suisan has been in operation at the site for about 50 years. He said the success of Suisan depends on the ability to compete on an international level, and the plan is to modernize the plant to operate more efficiently, which includes providing more on-site storage for their goods. For Commissioner Siracusa’s information, Mr. Tsukazaki said the applicant’s plans have changed with regard to the wastewater infrastructure and they will move ahead and 3 connect to the existing County sewer line during or prior to the first phase of development. Mr. Tsukazaki added that the applicant recycles their cardboard waste. Mr. Tsukazaki explained the total scope of the project that is before the PC and noted the project will be done in phases. He said the warehouse needs of the applicant is most pressing and that other phasing dates may change depending on whether contractors will be able to do the work, etc. Commissioner Siracusa thanked the applicant for presenting their entire plan instead of one year presenting one phase and then couple years later coming in with another phase. She said this way the Commission can look at the project in totality and have more information on which to base a knowledgeable decision. In response to Commissioner Salavea’s inquiry, Mr. Taira explained on the location map the proposed sewage hookup to the County Sewer System, noting they are currently working with a contactor and civil engineer to do the hookup. Commissioners Salavea and Iwashita raised their concerns regarding Condition 8. After Mr. Taira presented some background information on their attempts to work with the EPA and upon further discussion, the Commission and applicant agreed that the condition should be amended to read. In response to Commissioners McCall’s and Siracusa’s concern regarding water usage, Mr. Yuen explained that the Water Department has the ability to regulate additional water meters and Mr. Tsukazaki said they are in the process of responding to the Department of Water Supply’s request for more detailed estimated water demand calculations. It was moved by Commissioner Watanabe and seconded by Commissioner Iwashita that the application be approved based upon the Planning Director’s recommendations, and with Condition 8 amended to state that “The project shall connect to the County sewer prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for Phase I.” A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with six ayes (Watanabe, Iwashita, McCall, Salavea, Siracusa, Galdones and Alameda) and two absent and excused (Graham and Iwashita). RECESSEDThe Chair called for a short recess at 10:16 a.m. RECONVENEDThe meeting reconvened at 10:26 a.m. SPP 06-000026 The Commission took this item up at 10:26 a.m. with MELVIN W. BURGO JR. approximately 6 people from the public in attendance. KAHUKU, KAU APPLICANT: MELVIN W. BURGO JR. (SPP 06-000026) Special Permit to allow the establishment of a cement batching plant, office and repair shop, storage and sale of aggregate on approximately 2 acres of land situated within the 4 State Land Use Agricultural District. The properties are located along the mauka side of the Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 11) approximately 500 feet northeast of the Highway 11 – Kona Drive intersection, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Subdivision, Kahuku, Kau, Hawaii, TMK: 9-2-6:11 & 15 Mr. Hayashi said that the applicant has withdrawn the application and parties who requested standing in a contested case were notified of this withdrawal and will be returned their filing fee. REZ 06-000034The Commission took this item up at 10:28 a.m. with HIRAYAMA BROTHERS approximately 8 people from the public in attendance. ELECTRIC, INC. WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: HIRAYAMA BROTHERS ELECTRIC, INC. (REZ 06-000034) Change of Zone from a Single-Family Residential 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to a Neighborhood Commercial 20,000 square feet (CN-20) district for 20,000 square feet of land. The property is located along the west side of Manono Street, approximately 200 feet north of the Kekuanaoa Street – Manono Street intersection, Waiakea House Lots, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, Tax Map Key: 2-2-34.13. (SEE EXHIBIT A) REZ 06-000035The Commission took this item up at 11:10 a.m. with IVAN MOCHIDA &approximately 8 people from the public in attendance. LES ABURAMEN WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO APPLICANTS: IVAN MOCHIDA AND LES ABURAMEN (REZ 06-000035) Change of Zone from a Single-Family Residential 10,000 square feet (RS-10) to a Multiple-Family Residential 2,500 square feet (RM-2.5) district for approximately 90,400 square feet of land. The properties are located on both sides of Laukapu Street between Lanikaula Street and Leilani Street,Waiakea House Lots, Waiakea, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-2-36: 60, 102 and 103. (SEE EXHIBIT B) MINUTESThe Commission took up the following minutes at this time, 11:48 a.m. May 5, 2006 – It was moved by Commissioner Galdones and seconded by Commissioner Salavea that the minutes be approved with corrections as stated by Commissioner 5 Siracusa. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. ADMINISTRATIVEThe Commission took up the following under MATTERSadministrative matters at 11:49 a.m.: Status of appeals filed on Planning Commission decisions - Corporation Counsel – Mr. Torigoe had nothing to report. ANNOUNCEMENTSThe following announcements were made at this time, 11:50 a.m. Planning Commission Meetings – Mr. Hayashi announced that the June 23 and July 6, 2006 meetings have been cancelled and the next scheduled meeting is July 21 in Kona. HCPO – Mr. Hayashi announced that the next HCPO Conferences is scheduled for October 3 to 5, 2006 on Oahu. the ADJOURNMENTThere being no further business, the Chair declared meeting adjourned at 11:52 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Sharon M. Nomura, Secretary A T T E S T: C. Kimo Alameda, Chairman Planning Commission 6