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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-03-05 Planning Commission Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAII MINUTES MARCH 5, 2004 The Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:03 a.m. in the Pahala Community Center 96-1149 Kamani Street, Pahala, Ka'u, with First Vice-Chairperson Earl Fujikawa presiding. PRESENT:Earl FujikawaABSENT & EXCUSED:Fred Galdones William Graham Aurelio Mina, Jr. Florence Kubota Jeffrey McCall Francis Smith Hannah Springer Bill Thibadeau Pat OÓToole, Deputy Corporation Counsel Chris Yuen, Planning Director Norman Hayashi, Staff Planner Phyllis Fujimoto, Staff Planner Jeff Darrow, Staff Planner All those testifying were duly sworn in. SMA 03-018The Commission took this item up at 9:35 a.m. with SHROPSHIRE approximately 11 people from the public in attendance. GROUP, LLC HAKALAU NUI, SOUTH HILO APPLICANT: SHROPSHIRE GROUP, LLC (SMA 03-018) Special Management Area Use Permit to allow the development of a 25-lot residential subdivision and related improvements. The property is located along the east (makai) side of the Hawaii Belt Highway (State Highway 19) and at the Highway 19 Î Old Government Main Road Î Chin Chuck Road intersection, Hakalau Nui, South Hilo, Hawaii, TMK: 2-9-2:24. 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. The applicantÓs representatives, Bill Moore, Steve Shropshire, and Helen Nahoopii, were in attendance. Mr. Moore said they have received the Planning DepartmentÓs background and recommendation and have no objections to them. Regarding the concern that the public hearing is being held in Kau, rather than in Hilo, Mr. Shropshire said they have had a total of five various meetings in the community in the last 90 days. Mr. Shropshire said they met with the Hakalau Community Association, Hakalau Senior Association, with the Board of Directors of the Hakalau Jodo Mission and, again, with the overall community this past Sunday, noting there were approximately 65 people in attendance and they received very positive reinforcement from the community about the project. Mr. Moore added that they did offer to provide transportation to people to attend todayÓs meeting and no one took them up on their offer, noting they are attempting to do the right thing as they will be long- term neighbors. Ms. Nahoopii, community relations director for Aloha Green, said she did work with the community prior to working with the applicant and has an intimate relationship with many of the kupuna, noting the beauty of working with the community and being able to gather the concerns and information in advance. In response to Mr. MooreÓs inquiry, Mr. Yuen stated that unless the public notice is amended, the applicant is not able to create more than 25 lots. For Commissioner SpringerÓs information, Mr. Shropshire said they met with the Hakalau Community Association in the Hakalau Gym, the Hakalau Jodo Mission in the mission itself, and with the adjacent neighbor who was in support of their application. He agreed with Commissioner McCall said that the Jodo Mission property was deeded to the Mission by Mauna Kea Sugar Company and they have easement to access their propert Mr. Yuen said, although he was not asking for a specific condition regarding landscaping, he would suggest the applicant screen the subdivision from the highway. Mr. Shropsire agreed to creating a visual and sound barrier with vegetation from the Highway, noting he was in the landscaping business the last 25 years in Alaska and his goal is to make a landscaping showcase. Mr. Shropshire added that ironically the Jodo Mission wants their church to be more visible and have asked him to create some exposure, at least from off the ol In response to Mr. YuenÓs inquiry, Mr. Shropshire said currently they are permitted two access points off Highway 19, but it is not in their current plans to utilize those points. Mr. Darrow indicated on the presentation map the location of the two access points. Mr. Yuen then recommended that there be an added condition that there be no direct access to the subdivision from Highway 19 as he felt it would be highly undesirable to have more access points on the highway. Mr. Moore said the applicant is willing to make a commitment that he will not utilize those access points since they believe they do not have adequate sight distance, and the cost of putting in turning lanes or even an acceleration lane would make the project unfeasible; however, he questioned whether it was an appropriate condition to be imposed on an SMA Use Permit, based on past legal cases. Mr. Yuen said the Commission can only impose a traffic-related condition if the traffic would create a significant environmental or ecological effect within the SMA; and as the Belt Highway does serve a large group of properties in the SMA, to create more accesses to the Belt Highway could have a significant environmental effect. In response to Commissioner KubotaÓs inquiry, Ms. OÓToole said the Director correctly stated what the case 2 law is and she could not say yes or no that it is an issue, but noted that the Commission would have to make the nexes between the traffic and SMA goals. For Commissioner SpringerÓs information, Mr. Yuen and Mr. Moore noted that the Department of TransportationÓs comments regarding a traffic assessment refers to using the current access scenario. Mr. Moore added that they have not approached the State is getting any access off the Highway 19. In response to Commissioner GrahamÓs inquiry whether Mr. Moore was inferring that an access condition might give the impression of a tainted permit, Mr. Moore clarified that they were in agreement with the conditionÓs intent but questioned whether that condition was appropriate to an SMA related permit. Mr. Moore added that under the current zoning 71 units could be permitted or be developed within this 12 plus acres and historically there were 33 residential units, as well as a number of commercial, post office, community part of the old C. Brewer Housing. There was no one from the public wishing to testify on this agen Upon Commissioner SpringerÓs inquiry, Mr. Darrow suggested the following new Condition 8, with the remaining conditions renumbered accordingly, ÐAccess shall be prohibited to the proposed subdivision from the Hawaii Belt Highway (State Highway 19).Ñ Commissioner Graham said obviously people need access to the highway to get to the subdivision and suggested the wording be ÐDirect access to the proposed subdivision from the Hawaii Belt Highway (State Highway 19) shall be prohibited. It was moved by Commissioner Springer and seconded by Commissioner McCall that the public hearing be closed. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. It was moved by Commissioner Kubota and seconded by Commissioner Springer that the application be approved based on and incorporating the Planning DirectorÓs recommendation, with the following new Condition 8 and the remaining conditions be renumbered accordingly: ÐDirect access into the proposed subdivision from the Hawaii Belt Highway (State Highway 19) shall be prohibited.ÑThe Chair stated for the record that the correct SMA No. is 03-018 and not 03-016 as stated in the Planning DirectorÓs Recommendation. A roll call vote was taken and motion carried with seven ayes (Kubota, Springer, Graham, McCall, Smith, Thibadeau and Fujikawa) and two absent and excused (Galdones and Mina). REZ 03-030The Commission took this item up at 9:35 a.m. with HESTER FARMING approximately 10 people from the public in attendance. CO., LTD. PALIMA AND ST PAAUAU 1, KAÒU 3 APPLICANT: HESTER FARMING CO., LTD. (REZ 03-030) Change of Zone for approximately 171+ acres of land from an Agricultural 20-acre (A-20a) district to an Agricultural Project District. The property is located approximately 1.5 miles st (mauka) of Pahala Village in the vicinity of the former Meyer Ca, Ka'u, Hawaii, TMK: 9-6-5:18 and 9-6-6:4. (SEE EXHIBIT A) MINUTESAt 10:40 a.m., the Commission took up the following minutes: February 6, 2004 Î It was moved by Commissioner Springer and seconded b Commissioner McCall that the minutes be approved as circulated. Motion was unanimously carried by a voice vote of all Commissioners in attendance. February 20, 2004 - It was moved by Commissioner Springer and seconded b Commissioner McCall 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 MATTERSmatters: Status of appeals filed on Planning Commission decisions - Corporation Counsel Î Ms. OÓToole stated she had nothing new to report. Other Commission matters Î Mr. Hayashi noted that the Mayor has submitted the name of Christian Alameda to fill Commissioner KubotaÓs seat on the Planning Commission, noting the appointment should take place shortly. Mr. Hayashi then thanked Commissioner Kubota for her years of dedicated service on the Commission, to which Mr. Yuen Commissioner Kubota then expressed her appreciation to the Commission and staff for the experience of working on the Commission and having the opportunity to serve. ADJOURNMENTThere being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 10:47 a.m. A T T E S T:Respectfully submitted, Earl Fujikawa, First Vice-ChairmanSharon M. Nomura, Secretary Planning Commission 4 5