HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-07 Planning Commission Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAII
MINUTES
APRIL 7, 2006
The Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:08 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: Allen Salavea
Fred Galdones
Bill Graham
Andrew Iwashita
JeffreyMcCall
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.
SMA 06-000008The Commission took this item up at 9:13 a.m. with
COUNTY OF HIapproximately 26 people from the public in attendance.
DPW
KEAHIALAKA,
PUNA
APPLICANT: COUNTY OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
(SMA 06-000008)
Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit to allow an approximate 280-foot section
of the proposed Kapoho-Kalapana Road (Hwy 137) realignment to be constructed within
the SMA. The affected area is located northeast of the Hwy 137 Pohoiki Road
intersection in the vicinity of Isaac Hale Park, Keahialaka, Puna, Hawaii, Tax Map Key:
1-3-8: portion of 16.
Mr.HayashiorientedtheCommissionandpublicofthesubjectandsurrounding
properties on the location map and site plan, summarized the request, and noted the
PlanningDirectorrecommendedapprovaloftheapplicationwithconditions.
Theapplicantsrepresentative,BenIshii,statedhereviewedthePlanningDepartments
background and recommendation and had no objections to the proposed conditions.
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Ida Smith, landowner of Pohoiki Bay since 1998, questioned whether Pohoiki Road will
continue to remain open or improved since it is heavily used by those going to Isaac Hale
Park. She suggested the shoulder area be widened and directional signs be installed
because of safety concerns.
In response to Ms. Smiths testimony, Ms. Siracusa said she believed Pohoiki Road will
remain open at the request of the surfers at a community meeting on the design of Isaac
Hale Park to avoid vandalism and theft to their vehicles, noting the surfers would be able
to view their vehicles from the ocean. She added that because the exceptional trees along
Pohoiki Road are protected by ordinance there is very little that the County could do to
widen the roadway and not impact those trees. She noted that the new bypass will make
it a lot easier for fishermen to go to their destination by way of Kapoho.
For Ms. Smiths information, Mr. Ishii said the current plan is to keep old section of
Highway137open,withnoimprovementsproposedtobedoneatthistime,andthereis
currently a proposal to gate it off during the night on the north side. He noted that
Ms. Smith can later discuss with him what signs she thinks might be an improvement for
the area.
For the Commissions information, Mr. Ishii pointed out that the roadway will be built to
the current standards of two 11-foot wide paved travel ways in each direction and
approximately 10 feet of clear level area on each side.
It was moved by Commissioner Siracusa and seconded by Commissioner McCall that the
application be approved based on the Planning Directors recommendation and proposed
conditions. Commissioner Siracusa stated she supported the request because of public
safety and because it will not set a negative precedent that would weaken the Exceptional
Tree Ordinance, noting her role with Malama O Puna in placing trees under the
exceptional tree ordinance and her discussions with Ron Terry who did the EIS, certified
arborist Mike Krause, and the Arborist Committee. A roll call vote was taken and motion
carried with seven ayes (Siracusa, McCall, Watanabe, Galdones, Graham, Iwashita, and
Alameda) and one absent and excused (Salavea).
REZ 06-000032The Commission took this item up at 9:36 a.m. with
KATHY TRIPPapproximately 22 people from the public in attendance.
WAIAKEA HOUSELOTS,
SOUTH HILO
APPLICANT: KATHY TRIPP (REZ 06-000032)
Change of Zone for 20,000 square feetofland from a Single Family Residential 10,000
squarefeet(RS-10)toaNeighborhoodCommercial20,000squarefeet(CN-20)
district. The property is located along the west side of Manono Street, midway between
KekuanaoaStreetandHualaniStreet,WaiakeaHouselots,SouthHilo,Hawaii,TaxMap
Key: 2-2-34:12.
(SEE EXHIBIT A)
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RECESSEDThe Chair called a short recess at 10:30 a.m.
RECONVENEDThe meeting reconvened at 10:40 a.m.
SPP 06-000022The Commission took this item up at 10:40 a.m. with
FIRST SAMOANapproximately 28 people from the public in attendance.
CONGREGATION
CHURCH
KEAAU,
PUNA
APPLICANT: FIRST SAMOAN CONGREGATION CHURCH (SPP 06-000022)
Special Permit to allow the establishment of a church and related improvements on 3
acres of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural District. The property is
thth
located along the northeast side of 38 Avenue, approximately 740 feet from the 38
Avenue Laniuma Street intersection, Orchidland Estates Subdivision, Keaau, Puna,
Hawaii, Tax Map Key: 1-6-11:119.
(SEE EXHIBIT B)
RECESSEDThe Chair recessed the meeting at 11:50 a.m.
RECONVENEDThe meeting reconvened at 1:14 p.m.
GENERAL PLANThe Commission took this item up at 1:14 p.m. with
INTERIM AMENDMENTSapproximately 8 people from the public in attendance.
PLANNING DIRECTOR
INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR
General Plan Interim Amendments which include proposed changes to the text, policies,
courses of action, Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide Map and Facilities Map.
(SEE EXHIBIT C)
USE 106The Commission took this item up at 2:38 p.m. with three
AINALOApeople from the public in attendance.
DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION
PUNA
APPLICANT: AINALOA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (USE 106)
FurtherproceedingsonremandfromappealtotheThirdCircuitCourtfromPlanning
Commissions decision dated November 15, 2004, for consideration and possible
approvalofproposedsettlementoftheappeal,includingamendmentofconditionnos.7
(improvements to Ainaloa Boulevard) and 9 (community benefit assessments) of Use
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Permit No. 106 (development of an 18-hole golf course and related improvements), with
executive session, as needed.
(SEE EXHIBIT D)
MINUTESThe Commission took up the following minutes at this
time, 5:00 p.m.
March 9, 2006 It was moved by Commissioner Graham and seconded by
Commissioner Siracusa 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
MATTERSadministrative matters:
Status of appeals filed on Planning Commission decisions - Corporation Counsel
Mr. Torigoe noted that Daniel Ibbetson has appealed the Planning Commissions decision
on Special Permit Application (SPP 05-015) and will be pursing this matter on behalf of
the Commission. In response to the inquiries of Commissioners Graham and Galdones,
Mr. Torigoe said the Commissioners may attend the Circuit Courts hearing on this
matter if they so desire and he will have the staff inform the Commission of the hearing
date before Judge Hara.
ANNOUNCEMENTSThe following announcement was made:
Planning Commission Meeting - Mr. Hayashi announced that the next meeting is
scheduled for April 21, 2006 at the Waikoloa Marriott.
ADJOURNMENTThere being no further business, the Chair declared the
meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon M. Nomura, Secretary
A T T E S T:
C. Kimo Alameda, Chairman
PlanningCommission
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