HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-26 Planning Commission Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAII
MINUTES
May 26, 2006
The Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:08 a.m. in the King Kamehameha's Kona
Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, with Chairperson C. Kimo Alameda
presiding.
PRESENT:C. ABSENT & EXCUSED: Jeffrey McCall
William R. Graham Rene Siracusa
Andrew Iwashita
Fred Galdones
Rodney H. Watanabe
Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Christoper J. Yuen, Planning Director
Norman Hayashi, Planning Program Manager
Phyllis Fujimoto, Staff Planner
Jeff Darrow, Staff Planner
The Chair introduced the Commissioners and the Staff to the public.
GP AMENDMENTSThe Commission took this item up at 9:10 a.m. with
PLANNING DIRECTORapproximately 22 people from thepublic in attendance.
INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR
Action on the General Plan Interim Amendments which include proposed changes to the text,
policies, courses of action, Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide Maps, Transportation Maps and
the Facilities Maps.
(SEE EXHIBIT A)
RECESSEDThe Chair called a short recess at 10:45 a.m.
RECONVENEDThemeetingreconvenedat10:53a.m.
REZ03-032TheCommissiontookthisitemupat10:53a.m.with
JACK AND BARBARAapproximately 26 people from the public in attendance.
UMPHREY
HONALO,
NORTHKONA
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APPLICANT: JACK AND BARBARA UMPHREY (REZ 03-032)
Continuation on the application for a Change of Zone for 25,580 square feet of land from a
Single Family Residential 7,500 square feet (RS-7.5) to a Village Commercial 7,500 square
feet (CV-7.5) district. The property is located along the east (mauka) side of Mamalahoa
Highway and across from Saint Paul Road, approximately 430 feet south of Teshima Restaurant,
st
Kawanui 1, Honalo, North Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-9-3:61.
(SEE EXHIBIT B)
SMA 05-007The Commission took this item up at 11:09 a.m. with
ROYAL ALII LLCapproximately 26 people from the public in attendance.
KAUMALUMALU,
NORTH KONA
APPLICANT: ROYAL ALII LLC (SMA 05-007)
Continuation on the application for a Special Management Area Use Permit to allow the
development of a 19-unit single family residential development and related uses. The property is
located on the east (mauka) side of Alii Drive, across from the Alohi Kai Subdivision and
Kamoa Point, Kaumalumalu, North Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-7-4:57 and 58.
(SEE EXHIBIT C)
RECESSEDAt 12:33 p.m., Commissioner Iwashita left the meeting and the
Chair called for a lunch recess.
RECONVENEDThe meeting reconvened at 1:47 p.m.
SPP 06-000027The Commission took this item up at 1:47 p.m. with
LYNCH HAWAIIapproximately 17 people from the public in attendance.
DEVELOPMENT
AWALUA,
NORTH KONA
APPLICANT: LYNCH HAWAIIDEVELOPMENT (SPP 06-000027)
Special Permit to allow the establishment of a temporary real estate office on 0.25 acre of land
situated within State Land Use Agricultural District. The proposed site is located at the corner of
MamalahoaHighway(Highway190)andMakaleiHawaiiCountryClubRoad,Awalua,North
Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-2-7:portion of 1.
Mr. Hayashi oriented the Commission and public of the subject and surrounding properties on
thelocationmapandsiteplan,summarizedtherequest,andnotedthePlanningDirector
recommended approval of the application with conditions, as amended.
The applicants representatives, Marissa Furfaro and Tom Yamamoto, were in attendance.
Ms. Furfaro stated she had no objections to the proposed conditions, as amended.
There was no one from the public in attendance wishing to testify on this agenda item.
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It was moved by Commissioner Galdones and seconded by Commissioner Watanabe that the
application be approved as recommended by the PlanningDirector, with the added Conditions 4
and 8 and amended Condition 5. A roll call vote was takenand motion carried with five ayes
(Galdones, Watanabe, Graham, Salavea, and Alameda) and three absent and excused (Iwashita,
McCall and Siracusa).
The Commission took up the following two items simultaneously:
ORDINANCE NOS. The Commission took these items up at 1:51 p.m. with
95-118 AND 90 010approximately 17 people from the public in attendance.
SAMSON LLC
thth
HIENALOLI 4, 5,
th
AND 6,
NORTH KONA
APPLICANT: SAMSON LLC (ORDINANCE NO. 95 118)
Request for time extensions to Condition D (Final Plan Approval) and Condition E (Commence
Construction) of Ordinance No. 95 118, which rezoned lands from Unplanned (U) and Double-
Family Residential 3,750 square feet (RD-.3.75) to Multiple-Family Residential 2,500 square
feet (RM-2.5) and Village Commercial 7,500 square feet (CV-7.5), respectively. The area
involved is located along the north side of Hualalai Road and adjacent to the Aloha Kona
thth
Subdivision, Hienaloli 4 and 5, North Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-5-10:portion of 13 (formerly 7-
5-23:63).
APPLICANT: SAMSON LLC (ORDINANCE NO. 90 010)
Request for time extensions to Condition B (Final Plan Approval) and Condition C (Commence
Construction) of Ordinance No. 90 010, which rezoned 45,411 square feet of land from a
Multiple-Family Residential 2,000 square feet (RM-2) to a Village Commercial 7,500 square
feet (CV-7.5) district. The property is located along the north side of Hualalai Road, adjacent to
thth
the Aloha Kona Subdivision, Hienaloli 5 and 6, North Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-5-10:portion of
13 (formerly 7-5-23:64 and 67).
Mr. Hayashi stated the Planning Department is recommending the hearing be continued on these
two items as requested by the applicants.
There was no one from the public wishing to testify on the agenda items.
It was moved by Commissioner Watanabe and seconded by Commissioner Galdones that the
hearing be continued to the next Kona meeting. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried
with five ayes (Galdones, Watanabe, Graham, Salavea, and Alameda) and three absent and
excused (Iwashita, McCall and Siracusa).
SMA 06-000010The Commission took this item up at 1:52 p.m. with
BELT COLLINS approximately 25 people from the public in attendance.
HAWAII,LTD.
KAHUANUI &
WAIKA,
NORTH KOHALA
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APPLICANT: BELT COLLINS HAWAII, LTD. (SMA 06-000010)
Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit to allow the development of a 5-Lot Subdivision
and related improvements. The property is located along the makai side of Akoni Pule Highway
(Highway 270) and the Kohala Estates Subdivision, Kahuanuiand Waika, North Kohala,
Hawaii, TMK: 5-9-17:1 7.
(SEE EXHIBIT D)
RECESSEDThe Chair called a short recess at 2:50 p.m.
RECONVENEDThe meeting reconvened at 2:55 p.m.
SPP 06-000025The Commission took this item up at 2:55 p.m. with
NEW MOON approximately 25 people from the public in attendance.
FOUNDATION
IOLE,
NORTH KOHALA
NEW MOON FOUNDATION (SPP 06-000025)
Special Permit to allow the establishment of a Contemplative Education Center on 13.649 acres
of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The center will include
accommodations for a maximum of 80 overnight guests. The property, which includes a portion
of the Bond Historic District, is located off Iole Road, approximately 4,000 feet southwest of the
Iole Road and Akoni Pule Highway (Highway 270) intersection, Iole, North Kohala, Hawaii,
TMK: 5-3-5:portions of 5, 24, 39, 45, 46 and 47.
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 Panning Director
recommended approval of the application with conditions, as amended. He circulated Island
HarvestswrittentestimonyfortheCommissionsreview.
Theapplicantsrepresentatives,GregMooers,ThuyFujimotoandBennettDawrs,werein
attendance.
Mr. Mooers stated they appreciated the staffs background report and recommendation and
agreed with the proposed conditions. He explained that the area involves a number of different
tax map key parcels as the previous owner, the Bond family, created normal sized lots for
marketing; and the current owners just carved out the area they needed based on its use and
resources.
In response to the Chairs inquiry, Mr. Dawrs explained that the purpose of the Foundation is to
practice and create better relationships with the environment, with others, and within ones self,
looking at how the past (culture and history) apply to the present to help make better decisions
today. He explained that they would include meditation courses, courses in mediation, and ways
of bettering how people relate to each other. He added clarified that they do not include
medicinal (i.e., herbs) type of healing.
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ForCommissioner Galdones information, Ms. Fujimoto said they have visited many centers in
the State and elsewhere but were trying to create something unique that is sensitive to the local
needs of the communities.
Commissioner Graham noted as the applicants representatives have been in the community for
many years, the public testimony to be given is reflective on people knowing them in the
community.
Commissioner Graham expressed his concern of the Land Use Commissions comment
regarding the 15 acres. Mr. Mooers explained that LUCs concerns were based on the fact that
the applicant mentioned all the things the applicant does even though it may not be part of the
Special Permit, noting the applicant will only be using 13.649 acres for their project. He
clarified that the application talks about reforestation, certain ecological efforts, agriculture, etc.
that are not part of this special permit. He added this matter was clarified with the LUC staff
whosubsequentlyacknowledgedtheotheruseswerenotpartofthisspecialpermit.
BobLindsey,BoardMemberoftheKohalaCenterwhoislookingtobeaprimarypartnerwith
the New Moon Foundation, spoke in support of the programs. He said by working with New
Moon Foundation, they will be able to focus their attention and concentrate their resources to
bringing greater educational opportunities to the youth of North Kohala and restore the natural
environment and respect to the Hawaiian and local cultures.
Elizabeth Cole, noting she worked with the Kohala Center, called the Commissions attention to
Hawaii Island Economic Development Boards whole hearted support of the application. She
said the development will provide the community access to new accommodations with a future
focus on higher education and training opportunities.
Richard Stevens, UH teacher and coordinator of the reforestation project at the Veterans
Cemetery, strongly urged the approval of the application. He said one of the best things that has
happened to Kohala was the arrival of New Moon and it was very rare to find a landowner with
concern for the land, culture, and community, with the primary focus on preservation and
restoration.
Matt Hamabata, Executive Director of the Kohala Center, stated they were honored to be part of
this project. He explained their partnership program with the various universities in the
environmental, ocean and botanical sciences.
In response to Commissioner Grahams inquiry, Mr. Hamabata explained that the Kohala Center
will be operating the campus and the New Moon Foundation will be responsible for the land
stewardship of the ahupuaa.
Curtis Tyler testified in support of what he felt was a needed facility in the community.
For Director Yuens information, Mr. Mooers said the exterior of the Kohala Girls School is the
reason the building is on the historic register; and all improvements made to that School will
have to be approved by the State Historic Preservation Division.
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In response to the inquiry posed by Commissioner Galdones, Mr. Mooers said issues such as the
number of parking stalls, landscaping, and the Fire Departments requirements will be resolved
during plan approval.
It was moved by Commissioner Watanabe and seconded by Commissioner Salavea that the
application be approved as recommended by the Planning Director, along with the amended
Condition No. 8. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with five ayes (Watanabe,
Salavea, Galdones, Graham, and Alameda) and three absent and excused ( Iwashita, McCall and
Siracusa).
RECESSEDThe Chair called a short recess at 3:24 p.m.
RECONVENEDThe meeting reconvened at 3:32 p.m.
SMA 05-005The Commission took this item up at 3:32 p.m. with
SUNSTONE approximately 21 people from the public in attendance.
KONA, LLC
nd
KAHULUI 2,
NORTH KONA
APPLICANT: SUNSTONE KONA, LLC (SMA 05-005)
Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit to allow the development of 289 Multiple-Family
Residential units and related improvements, including associated commercial space. The
property is bordered by Alii Drive and Kuakini Highway, approximately 1,040 feet south of the
nd
Lunapule Road-Alii Drive intersection, Kahului 2, North Kona, Hawaii, TMK: 7-5-19:1.
(SEE EXHIBIT E)
MINUTESThe Commission took up the following minutes at this time,
5:05 p.m.
April 21, 2006 - It was moved by Commissioner Salavea and secondedby Commissioner
Galdones that the minutes be approved as circulated. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice
vote of all Commissioners in attendance.
ADMINISTRATIVEThe Commission took up the following under administrative
MATTERmatter:
Status of appeals filed on Planning Commission decisions - Corporation Counsel Mr. Torigoe
had nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENTThere being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting
adjournedat5:07p.m.
ATTEST:Respectfullysubmitted,
C. Kimo Alameda, ChairmanSharon M. Nomura, Secretary
Planning Commission
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