HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-20 Leeward Planning Commission Minutes LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
MINUTES
APRIL 20, 2023
The Leeward Planning Commission met in regular session at 1:00 p.m. in the West Hawaii Civic
Center, Council Chambers, Building A, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona,
Hawaii, with Chairperson Barbara DeFranco presiding. This meeting was streamed live on
YouTube.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Barbara DeFranco, Zaheva Knowles, Clement"CJ" Kanuha III,
Mahina Paishon-Duarte, and Michael Vitousek
ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Michael Dela Cruz
ALSO PRESENT: Sinclair Salas-Ferguson, Esq. (Counsel to the Commission), Jean Campbell,
Esq. (Counsel to the Planning Department), Zendo Kern (Planning Director), Maija Jackson
(Planning Program Manager), Alex Roy (Planner), Tracie-Lee Camero (Planner), Clinton Mercado
(Planner), Janice Hata(Zoom host), and Noriko Sauer (Commission Secretary)
And two public members in the audience.
A quorum was present. Chair DeFranco called the meeting to order and introduced
Commissioners and staff.
Chair DeFranco announced that Commissioner Vitousek's term had expired on March 31, 2023,
and that he was holding over for 90 days. Director Kern explained that Commissioner Vitousek's
holdover would end when the 90-day period was over or his successor was appointed, whichever
occurred first. Director Kern expressed his gratitude for Commissioner Vitousek's service and
presented a certificate of appreciation on behalf of Mayor Michell Roth. Commissioner Vitousek
was also presented with a lei, and he returned his appreciation to the Commissioners and staff.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
At 1:03 p.m. the Commission took up the minutes of the March 16, 2023, Leeward Planning
Commission meeting. No corrections were offered. It was moved by Commissioner Vitousek and
seconded by Commissioner Paishon-Duarte that the minutes be approved as submitted. With no
one opposing to the motion, the minutes were approved.
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
Chair DeFranco confirmed that there were no testifiers in person or on Zoom and closed this
agenda item at 1:04 p.m.
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Leeward Planning Commission
April 20,2023,Meeting Minutes
NEW BUSINESS
1. APPLICANT: D&L FUJIMOTO LLC (PL-SMA-2023-000027)
Application to amend Condition No. 7 (public parking requirement) of Special Management
Area(SMA) Use Permit No. 51 (SMA 51)to clarify the management and use of twenty (20)
public parking stalls located on a 1.468-acre parcel situated within the SMA. The subject
property is located makai of Kuakini Highway, along the south side of Hanama Place, in
Kailua Village, at 75-5722 Hanama Place, Ke6pu 3rd, North Kona District, Hawaii,
TMK: (3) 7-5-007:033.
The Commission took up this item at 1:04 p.m., with one public member in the audience.
There was no one from the public who wished to testify regarding this agenda item.
Action: It was moved by Vice Chair Knowles and seconded by Commissioner Kanuha that the
application to amend Special Management Area Use Permit No. 51, Docket No. PL-SMA-2023-
000027, be approved based on the Planning Director's recommendation. Commissioner Vitousek
made a subsidiary motion to add two conditions: 1) "As represented by the applicant, the parking
stalls on the makai side of the building shall be clearly identified as being for general public use.
A parking management plan, which may include reasonable fees to address public safety,
enforcement, and its maintenance, shall be submitted to the Planning Director for review and
approval"; and 2) "The applicant shall continue to comply with all applicable recommendations
and requirements outlined in the approved landscaping plan." Commissioner Kanuha seconded
the subsidiary motion. A roll call vote was taken, and the subsidiary motion carried with five ayes
(Vitousek, Kanuha, Knowles, Paishon-Duarte, and DeFranco), no noes, and one absent and
excused (Dela Cruz). A roll call vote was taken on the main motion as amended, and the main
motion carried with five ayes (Knowles, Kanuha, Paishon-Duarte, Vitousek, and DeFranco), no
noes, and one absent and excused (Dela Cruz).
The hearing ended at 2:27 p.m. [SEE HEARING TRANSCRIPT EXHIBIT A]
PLANNING DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Report on Special Management Area (SMA) determinations and minor permits issued by the
Planning Director for the month of March 2023.
At 2:27 p.m. Chair DeFranco introduced this item and asked if there were any questions on the
report that had been distributed to the Commissioners earlier. There were neither questions nor
public testimony regarding the report.
AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
The Commissioners will comment on matters not on the current agenda, for consideration
for the Commission's next meeting.
At 2:28 p.m. Chair DeFranco introduced this item and noted that presentation by the Planning
Department about cumulative development impacts in the Puak6 community was pending. The
Commissioners had no new requests.
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Leeward Planning Commission
April 20,2023,Meeting Minutes
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Leeward Planning Commission's next monthly meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 19,
2023 at the County Council Chambers in Kona and the public can also testify via Zoom. The
date and venue of the meeting are subject to change.
At 2:29 p.m. Chair DeFranco introduced this item and asked staff if there were any
announcements. Ms. Jackson responded that there were tentatively seven items on the next
meeting agenda, and that it was expected to be a full day.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, it was moved by Commissioner Vitousek and seconded by
Commissioner Paishon-Duarte that the meeting be adjourned. A voice vote was taken, and the
motion carried with all in favor. Chair DeFranco adjourned the meeting at 2:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Noriko Sauer, Secretary
ATTEST:
Barbara DeFranco, Chairperson
Leeward Planning Commission
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Leeward Planning Commission
April 20,2023,Meeting Minutes