HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-30 TINABA
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAII
HEARING TRANSCRIPT
SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
A regularly advertised hearing on the application of
YOSHIO INABA, ET AL (REZ 05-
was called to order at 2:55 p.m. in the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Hau/Lehua Room,
003)
62-100 Kaunaoa Drive, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, with Vice-Chairperson Hannah Springer
presiding.
PRESENT:C. Kimo AlamedaABSENT & EXCUSED: Fred Galdones
Hannah SpringerRene Siracusa
Rodney H. WatanabeJeffrey McCall
AllenSalaveaAndrewIwashita
William R. Graham
Chris Yuen, Deputy Planning Director
Norman Hayashi, Planning Program Manager
Phyllis Fujimoto, Staff Planner
Jeff Darrow, Staff Planner
Ivan Torigoe, Deputy Corporation Counsel
And approximately 10 people from the public in attendance.
APPLICANTS: YOSHIO INABA, ET AL (REZ 05-003)
Application for a Change of Zone for 43.88 acres of land from an Agricultural 40-acre (A-
40a) to an Agricultural 5-acre (A-5a) district. The property is located on the north side of
Mamalahoa Highway, adjacent and west of the Hoonani Subdivision, Puukapu Homesteads,
nd
2
Series, Waimea, South Kohala, Hawaii, TMK: 6-4-17:40.
SPRINGER:Id like to call this meeting of the Hawaii County Planning
Commission back to order. We are on agenda item number 8. The applicants are Yoshio
Inaba, et.al. (REZ 05-003). This is an application for a change of zone for 43.88 acres of land
from an agricultural 40-acre to an agricultural 5-acre district. The property is located on the
north side of Mamalahoa Highway, adjacent and west of the Hoonani Subdivision, Puukapu
nd
Homesteads, 2 Series, Waimea, South Kohala, Hawaii, TMK: 6-4-17:40. Mr. Hayashi?
HAYASHI:Thank you MadamChair and members of the Commission. Referring
to the Planning Commissions overall location map indicated on the wall. Thesubject
property is indicated by this red dot. It is situated along the north side of the Mamalahoa
Highway, also referred to as Highway 19. This would be in the Hamakua Direction and this
would be towards Waimea town. The colors on the map indicate the various zoning districts.
The blue shaded areas are lands that are designated agricultural 40-acres. The darker green
areasarethoselandsthatarezonedforagricultural1-acrezoneddistrict.Manyoftheseare,
consists of non-conforming lots within the state land use agricultural district. We also have
severalagricultural5-acrezonelandsthataresituatedinthisparticularcolor.Thisisthe
EXHIBIT F
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lighter green shaded area. And theres some, towards, in the Hamakua direction. Initially the
applicant had submitted an application for an agricultural20-acre to a FA or family-
agricultural 4-acre zone district. However, the applicant has since revised his application and,
under that proposal there were 10 lots proposed. However the applicant decided to amend his
application to come for agricultural 5-acre zone district and that would lessen the number of
lots from 10 as originally proposed to 8 lots. The lots if youll note on the applicants overall
subdivision plan or proposed subdivision plan, the subject property is indicated by this red
outlined area. There will be 8 lots as I indicated. Two of the lots will gain access from
Mamalahoa Highway and that will be these 2 lots. There would be 6 lots taking access off the
Hoonani Subdivision roadways. Three lots will be taking off of Uhiwai Street and those will
be these 3 lots here. Three lots will be, gain access from Hauhoa Street within the Hoonani
Subdivision, those would be these 3 lots here. So basically, 6 lots will be getting access from
the subdivision roads within the-, I mean the roadways within the Hoonani Subdivision. The
purpose of the rezoning request is, according to the applicant is to provide smaller agricultural
lotsfortheirfamilymembersandpossiblyforotherindividuals.Thewaterisavailabletothe
property. Sewer would be by individual wastewater treatment system and the overall cost of
developing is estimated at $200,000. There are 2 existing dwellings on the property, one at
the front portion of the property and one to the rear. The remainder of the property is
normally used for cattle grazing. And usually the applicant graze between 15 to 24 heads of
cattle at a time. As I indicated earlier there is the non-conforming Hoonani Subdivision to the
east of the subject property and these lots are basically 10,000 square foot in size. We
received 2 letters of concern regarding this particular application. The first letter of concern
was from Linda Frias who is an adjacent property owner. Ms. Frias property is indicated by
this red dot situated again to the east of the subject property. Her concerns basically are first
of all the water runoff; also the view of Mauna Kea may be obstructed by electrical poles.
She also has concerns as to how the waterlines will enter the property and why access cant be
from Highway 19 rather than the Hoonani Subdivision Roads. We also received a letter from
Peter Amerling requesting that the application be denied until such time that the Waimea
Bypass Road is completed. And all of you have a copy of these letters. We are
recommending approval of the subject request with conditions. One of the conditions would
be that as far as the access to-from the Mamalahoa Highway that would be limited to one
common access for the 2 lots proposed along the highway. And that would be to lessen the
number of driveways rather than 2, just to have one common driveway access. We are also
requiring that-, recommending a 15-foot road right-of-way be set aside along Mamalahoa
Highway or Highway for future road-widening purposes. So basically, we are recommending
approval with proposed conditions. Are there any questions?
ALAMEDA:Chair?
SPRINGER:Commissioner Alameda?
ALAMEDA:Thanks Madam Chair. Norman could you just trace for me how the
other lots, I see how those 2 front lots would get access to Mamalahoa Highway but how
would the-? Could you just kind of trace for me like how would they, say the back lots would
come out of their driveway and then how would they get access to the highway?
EXHIBIT F
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HAYASHI:Okay, first of all, the lots in the back there are 3that would take access
from Uhiwai Street. What theyll do is come out of Uhiwai Street and come down to
Kipahele Street which is the main Hoonani Subdivision road and would access on Mamalahoa
Highway at this location here. The other3 lots also taking access from the subdivision roads
would be 1, 2, 3 and theyll be C, D and E and they would take access off of Hauhoa Street
then come south to Kipahele Street and they have access from Mamalahoa Highway. Then
these 2 lots bordering the Mamalahoa Highway would have a common access that would
access onto Mamalahoa Highway.
ALAMEDA:Thank you.
SPRINGER:Norman is the road, the Hoonani Subdivision road up to County
dedicateable standard?
HAYASHI:YesthesewereconstructedtoCountydedicateablestandards,50foot
right of way with 20 foot wide pavement.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Other Commissioners questions of Mr. Hayashi? Seeing
none Id like to invite the applicant and their representative to come forward. Also we have 3
individuals who have signed up to testify, Al Lasiter, Linda Frias and Dick Matsumoto. Is
there anybody else who wishes to testify on this matter?
INABA, Y.:I cannot hear good you know. What the question?
SPRINGER:At this time Id like to ask the applicant and their representative and
any members of the public wishing to testify on this matter to raise your right hand so I can
swear you in at this time.
INABA, J:(addressing father) Raise your right hand, shes going to swear us in.
SPRINGER:Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this matter now before the
Hawaii County Planning Commission?
INABAS/
TESTIFIERS:I do.
SPRINGER:Thank you. To the applicant and his representative if you could please
give for us your names and address and then the one who will testify first please do so.
INABA, Y.:Oh my name is Yoshio Inaba. I reside at 678 Waianuenue Avenue in
Hilo, Hawaii.
INABA, J.:I am Jason Inaba. 1584 Koele Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Have you received a copy of the Countys Background
Report and Recommendation?
EXHIBIT F
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INABA, J.:Yeah.
SPRINGER:Do you have any comments to makeat this time?
INABA, J.:No.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioners do you have any questions of the applicant
and his representative? Seeing none, we have 3 chairs at the front of the room, at the table.
Id like to invite the 3 members of the public who desire to testify to please forward.
Beginning with Ms. Frias, if you could please give us your name and address and then
proceed with your testimony.
FRIAS:My name is Linda Kuualoha Frias. I live at 64-520 Uhiwai Street,
Kamuela. Concerns regarding change of zone application TMK 6-4-17:40, Yoshio Inaba.
Presentlythereisatremendousamountofwaterrunofffromthispropertytowardsmy
property and the Hoonani Subdivision. There is no infrastructure to accommodate streams of
water presently coming from this area and the watershed directly behind these properties.
Flooding and standing water occurs to lots at the end of Uhiwai and Kipahele. And Ive
enclosed a photo enclosure so that you can see in enclosure 1 where a lot of this water heads
straight for the subdivision and enclosure 2 where the water hits my property. And it comes
from 2 basically water flow areas where the water just flows like a river. Ponding of water
adjacent to my property during heavy rainfall and constantly muddy soaked during dry
periods on lot 101H and 101G. The degree of lots 101H and 101G are severely sloped where
water runoff is directed straight towards my property and I sit at the bottom of this gully.
Adjacent to these 40 acres sits the Chesebro property where there is a natural water stream
that creates more water running through our subdivision from waterfalls off of Puuhaloa and
Puukaala. The threat to and Ive enclosed, and I have an enclosure of 1 and 2 also and I
believe the Chesebro property is another party. The threat to the safety of my home is of great
concern. I had to build a wall to protect my property from the ponding and the overflow
stream that would flow from this pond directly under my house and would go right through
my garage wall. This occurred on more than 1 occasion. At the present the wall has stopped
the water from flowing onto my property but now it appears to be seeping under my lot and
drains out on the Kipahele side of the street through this hole adjacent to the telephone pole.
If this land were excavated, graded or changes to the terrain the water would rush faster
towards my property and is another life safety concern of mine. I am also concerned about
the water seeping under my property and the settling of my house and damage to my
foundation. I bought this corner lot because of the view of Mauna Kea and another concern
would be the electric poles and how they would enter these lots. I object to poles obstructing
my view and I presently enjoy or have electric lines coming from the corner pole in front of
my property to these lots, which Ive enclosed enclosure 3. You can see some of the poles
that are coming up Kipahele. They would go right in the front of my- thats the view from my
window, my living room window. I also question the waterlines and how they will be
entering this property and the disruption and damage to the road that will create. Not to
mention the disruption of peace and tranquility presently enjoyed. The map indicates there
will be a turnaround at Uhiwai and Hauhoa Street. I question why entry to these lots cannot
be made from Mamalahoa. Additional traffic is another concern and what will stop these lots
from being subdivided again once this rezoning is granted. A map of the area proposed for
EXHIBIT F
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rezoning and the topography of this location of concern is in enclosure 4. And you can see
the elevation of the land where its from 38 and itgoesall the way down to 28, 2800. I
strongly recommend this Planning Committee consider and solve all my issues prior to
recommending or granting rezoning of these lots for future development. I would like to be
heard at the public hearing today.
SPRINGER:Thank you maam. Commissioners do you have any questions of the
testifier? Commissioner Graham?
GRAHAM:Excuse me. Ms. Frias?
FRIAS:Yes.
GRAHAM:Were going to learn a lot more as this goes along but just kind of off
thetopofmyheadsincethisisbeingputinto5-.Thisisbeingrequestedas5-acre
agricultural lots I wouldnt think on the face of it there would be a lot of change to the
topography and to the water movements and things like that with runoff. So Im kind of
wondering whether youre thinking that if we grant this there will be a change and your water
situation might get worse as far as runoff or are you thinking if this applicant wants to make
this change he should actually improve the water situation that presently exists, which is not
very good for you. Or are either one of those sort of points of view where youre coming
from or do you have something different?
FRIAS:No I have something different there. The grade of the land that
presently on those 2 lots, theyre the highest lots. And thats where a lot of the water just
rushes down. And if they change the grade of that land its going to make it worse. If you
noted in my enclosure number 2 water comes from 2 areas. And its not a small amount of
water and its not a hundred year flood either, which Ive had comments somebody said. Well
weve had a lot of water. Ive lived there for 8 years now and Ive had the property for 13.
And the slope of this property is my concern and also there is nothing that would take that
water away from us if it was to be developed in that area. So if theyre going to subdivide this
I would like to see on my side of the property some kind of water-, some engineer come in
and put in some kind of infrastructure for that water to flow away from us and not head
straight for us.
GRAHAM:Thank you.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Alameda?
ALAMEDA:Ms. Frias did you get? Do we allow the testifiers to have a copy of
this? Just wondering. Or I mean-.
SPRINGER:Copy of Conditions.
ALAMEDA:Do they get preview to this prior to coming or no?
HAYASHI:No they dont.
EXHIBIT F
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ALAMEDA:Okay.
HAYASHI:However, there is a copy for public view.
ALAMEDA:I was just looking at the conditions and I hear what youre saying about
the water runoff. I wanted to ask maybe the Director on the ConditionG all development-
generated runoff shall be disposed off on-site and not be directed toward anyadjacent
properties. How strict or how much oversight do we provide on that?
YUEN:This is something that the Department of Public Works looks at- infor
us during the subdivision stage. We will send the subdivision plans to the Department of
Public Works and they would have, they would have the decision-. This requires an
engineering study but how detailed that would be depends on the amount of infrastructure.
What they would be looking at is that for new pavement in the property they would require a
dry well system to dispose of the expected 10-year storm event. If you notice though, if this
property is rezoned and subdivided per the plans theres hardly any site work involved
because it all stubs off of existing roads. So its likely that there wouldnt, if thats what
happensitslikelythattherewouldntbemuchinthewayofdrywellsrequired.Andthenif
they didnt interfere with the natural flow of water by doing anything else on the property
there wouldnt be a lot of-, DPW would not require a lot of or perhaps any work to change or
fix existing drainage problems. Theyre only trying to keep it from getting worse.
ALAMEDA:Thank you Director Yuen.
SPRINGER:Commissioners any other questions either for the testifier or the
Director?
SALAVEA:Ms. Frias?
SPRINGER:Commissioner Salavea?
SALAVEA:Im sorry Madam Chair. Ms. Frias could you indulge me and just point
to me reference for me on the vertical map where your lot is?
FRIAS:Right where the-, right where that red dot is.
SALAVEA:Oh sorry, thank you, thank you, thank you. Okay.
SPRINGER:Commissioners other questions for the testifier? Commissioner
Watanabe?
WATANABE:I think Im right in this but then what youre saying this the subdivision
in question is-. Your number 2 photograph number 2, that is the actual subdivision right?
FRIAS:Pardon me?
EXHIBIT F
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WATANABE:Number 2 is the actual subdivision?
FRIAS:Right. Thats the 2 lots.
WATANABE:Right. Thats the-, yeah thats the actual parcel?
FRIAS:Right. And not, not only that our whole subdivision is flooded with
water. Our drainage systems are not adequate for the subdivision as it is now and were
inundated with muddy roads and water thats standing in properties at the end of Uhiwai
Street.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Watanabe do you have follow-up?
WATANABE:Whats in the back of that just before the mountains?
FRIAS:In the back of where?
WATANABE:In your Exhibit 2, in the back of this just before the mountains? You
knowyouhavethemountainsinthebackground.
FRIAS:TheresavalleyIbelieve,Imnotsure.
WATANABE:And thats it theres a stream there?
FRIAS:Right. On that first, where its near the banana trees thats a stream that
comes down from the back there.
WATANABE:But no development back there?
FRIAS:No, theres no development.
WATANABE:So it seems were it diverted that way, well you never know where its
going to wind up but-, no immediate development in that area?
FRIAS:No.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Alameda?
ALAMEDA:Madam Chair Ill save my comments for the discussion.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Mr. Yuen does the Condition G that we referred to earlier,
does that anticipate runoff generated from the development or does that take into
consideration water which is generated off-site of the development but which passes across it?
YUEN:Well, the drainage study is likely to be pretty limited if the property is
subdivided without-, in this manner without roads. If, let me give you an example. If they
were building a road all the way across the property and there was a drainage way down the
EXHIBIT F
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middle of the property then the engineer would have to design it so that-. We have to design a
culvert system for that. So youd have to have this drainage system and then you have to have
this culvert system designed for it. But if you just have a lot that youre selling and if theres
no infrastructure across it the engineer is supposed to show the drainage way on the
subdivision map and that would be shown as an easement. But you would just leave it and
you wouldnt be doing anything to it. So, yes theyre supposed to take into account water that
flows across the property and show it on the map for the protection of their own purchasers.
But they wouldnt necessarily have to do anything to correct, to physically correct any
drainage issues that are occurring on the lots that are just lots and dont have any roads or
other infrastructure built across them.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Commissioner Alameda?
ALAMEDA:Thank you Madam Chair. This is for Director Yuen as well. Although
notprobablethereisapossibilitythatthisdevelopmentcouldimprovethesituationcorrect?
YUEN:Imnotsurewhat-.Theremaybesomethingthatcouldbedonethat
would improve the situation. I dont want to lay that out as a possibility or a promise because
I dont know that there is anything being planned in subdivision that would alleviate existing
problems. If theres a problem the testifier lives right at the top turnaround. And if in
designing this subdivision if theres a problem at right at that turnaround, like theres a
ponding then theyre going to have to fix that ponding at that time yes. Because they cant
put the turnaround, they cant make the turnaround be a pond. So they would have to fix that.
So yes in that sense it could be improved.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Commissioners any other questions for the testifier?
Seeing none thank you maam. Sir, in the middle if you could give us your name and your
resident address and then your testimony?
MATSUMOTO:Dick Matsumoto. 64-5218 Hoohua Street.
SPRINGER:You may proceed with your testimony.
MATSUMOTO:My concern is I think they should build their own road for this
subdivision on the other side. So, because right now theyve changed their classification to 8
lots whos to say in the future theyre going to change it again and change it again, theyre
going to have more lots theyre going to put a strain. With our, Kipahele and Hoohua Streets
are strained as it is. They havent been paved. You know I had moved there in 1990, they
havent been paved. We have a flooding problem. Dry wells, the dry wells do not work. The
dry wells are obsolete they dont even work. That highway between those 2 streets and in
front of Mr. Inabas property is flooded. When that rain comes it floods and its a danger.
We have a-, they built on the back of my lot I live on the east side of Hoohua Street. I live on
th
the maybe the 7lotupfromthemainhighway.Theyhaveadrainageditchintheback,
which we gotta maintain and keep clear. And that thing just everythingjust comes right down
andgoestothatfrontlot,whichsomeonejustbulldozedbecauseitlooksliketheywantto
build a house there. They want to come up Kipahele and go into their subdivision, theyre
goingtocreatemorestressonthatstreet.Imeanwerestressedasitis.TheCountyhasnt
EXHIBIT F
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been up there to take care of those streets. Our streets, theres grass growing, theres cracks
growing. My concern is, we have flooding there and I think they should build their own
street. And whos to say when everythings all said and done they going put gates up or
theyre going to expand, which is you know thats his right. I have nothing against subdiv-,
what they want to do but my main concern is that I think they should build their own road on
the opposite side. On the West Side of their property to get to those lots that they want to do.
And there is flooding there. When they, you know theyre going to-, they have those lots and
then and its like their own private thing and then only them can go to their lots. But the main
concern is they should, to me they should build their own road and the County has to look
into-, the engineers about solving the flooding problem. Dry wells are not working and they
havent done a whole bunch of things since Ive been there in 1990, I moved there. They just
let the thing flood, they put up the barricades saying its flooded meanwhile you know its not
working. Thank you.
SPRINGER:YourewelcomeMr.Matsumoto.Questionsforthetestifierfromthe
Commissioners? Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE:Well, just for your information the way this is proposed by the County
they would not be able to come back for additional dwellings, it would be restricted to one
dwelling for each 5-acre lot. So you would be limited to 5 homes. But you mentioned
something really interesting in that you indicated that there already is an existing ditch.
Something to help control the flooding that you folks have to maintain is that correct?
MATSUMOTO:Yes on the backside of my property, it comes from-.
WATANABE:But I guess my question is how far along? Would it go all the way up
to her property?
MATSUMOTO:No that ditch starts from Hauhoa Street down to the main highway.
WATANABE:Oh, just from the first cul-de-sac to the highway?
MATSUMOTO:Yeah but on my-, just on Hoohua side.
WATANABE:Thats not along the properly-?
FRIAS:Theres a drainage-.
WATANABE:Thats not along the parcel subdivision land?
MATSUMOTO:No, but that contributes to the flooding cause it just comes right down.
WATANABE:No I thought maybe we had something there.
MATSUMOTO:Oh no, no Im -. If you look at the subdivision Hoohua Street, it comes
this, everything just comes down here.
EXHIBIT F
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WATANABE:I thought it was maybe (inaudible).
MATSUMOTO:Oh you only have Kipahele thats why.
SPRINGER:Are there any other questions for Mr. Matsumoto? Commissioner
Graham?
GRAHAM:I just had a comment on your concerns. I think one of the things we
always deal with when you have major highways like Mamalahoa Highway is everytime you
put in a new intersection it jams up the true traffic movements. So we try to avoid as much as
possible putting any new intersections to go into new subdivisions. So thats one of the
reasons I imagine why you know we like the lateral coming in from the side. Another thing I
wanted to ask the Planning Director I mean just in general if they have a bad flooding
situation what does it take for the County to decide thats a County issue for the benefit of the
peopleingeneralandtheywanttoputsomeeffortintoresolvingthefloodingsituation
without it being on the back of some agricultural rezoning?
YUEN:Thats really something in the area of the Department of Public Works.
Im not sure what solutions there might be for what the people are describing.
GRAHAM:So maybe that would come like at budget time for something like that?
When budgets are made for the departments and you know one would go in and speak to
public works and ask them to please include some project for that area or something?
YUEN:Yes, if theres a severe flooding problem in an area the Department of
Public Works will sometimes request a Capital Improvements Project to do something.
Whether its a drainage ditch or additional dry wells or a diversion or something like that to
solve the problem. But thats how it happens.
GRAHAM:Okay, thanks. Did you want to have a follow-up sir?
MATSUMOTO:Uh, yes. Like I said I moved there in 1990, I bought my house there
and nothing has been done. I called the County, Department of Work, the chief engineer at
that time and nothing got done. I mean you cant just-, I understand you just cant go there
and start working and doing something. I dont know what it takes but the thing floods. The
road floods and cars do not slow down. And were going to have a major catastrophe there
and someones going to be liable. All Im saying is we gotta-. My was-, I was hoping he
could build his own road so whatever he does its not required I cant do nothing about that.
But since were talking about this there is flooding there and Im not saying that hes going,
Mr. Inaba and the family is responsible for the flooding but we have to look at all of these
situations and all, and what needs to be done. And my thing is just about Mr. Inaba is just, I
just want him to build his own road for his subdivision. Thank you.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Matsumoto. Mr. Director we have-, theres a
requirement of one access onto the Mamalahoa Highway for the 2 front lots is it conceivable
that there could be an internal road on the Waimea side of the subject property that would do
as the testifier is suggesting?
EXHIBIT F
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YUEN:We would actually prefer to have less access directly to Mamalahoa
Highway and avoid creating a new intersection. The Department of Public Works actually
suggested completely the opposite of what the testifier is suggesting which is that all traffic
come from the side streets. That the direct access to Mamalahoa be closed and in general
what theyre saying is the Bible on how youre going to handle something like this. You want
to have limited points of access. The traffic carried in by side streets on existing intersections.
We didnt adopt their recommendation fully in that theres an existing access to the property
which serves one house on-, that runs out to the highway. So thats why we said, and if you
look at the subdivision layout it does create issues for the building and design of the
subdivision not to allow that direct access. Were trying to control, keep that to the 2 lots that
abut the highway. And the rest of them we would for the reasons I stated, we would prefer
that, and the Department of Public Works would prefer that the traffic come into the existing
subdivision by the side roads and come out at the existing intersections.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Yuen. Commissioners any other questions of the
testifier Mr. Matsumoto? Mr. Matsumoto?
MATSUMOTO:I have, I have one more thing. Since the front 2 lots are going to have-,
be accessible to the main highway and since this is a family land thing with their family and
all maybe they can build a-. In case of emergencies maybe they can make a road go to up to
the top of their, that property? Just for family but in case we need emergency vehicles going
up there maybe they-. Instead of always going up our 2 streets and say they need something
you know that concerns their family or you know the upper portion of their thing maybe they
can make a road that connects to everything, their family lots for emergency purposes only?
Thank you.
SPRINGER:Youre welcome Mr. Matsumoto. Director Yuen do you have any
comment on that a internal road for emergency vehicles?
YUEN:No.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Commissioners any other questions for Mr. Matsumoto?
Thank you for joining us today Mr. Matsumoto. Sir, if we could have your name and address
for the record and then you may proceed with your testimony.
LASITER:Alfred A. Lasiter at 645362 Kipahele Street, Kamuela Highlands.
SPRINGER:Thank you, you may proceed with your testimony.
LASITER:Thank you. If I may stand up please?
SPRINGER:Yes.
LASITER: Its been a long day for you so Im going to get right to the point. And
I was supposed to be in the swimming pool right now drinking beer cause I got a room here at
this hotel so Im late. Anyway, all the best to the Inaba family, Im not here against it. I want
EXHIBIT F
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them to have it because all the-. Okay, this is Kipahele and Hoohua Street. This is Kamuela
Highlands as you call Hoonani. Okay, this is what the Inaba want to do. All the subdivisions
on this side towards Hilo are 8,000, 7,000 square foot lots. The streets are narrow.
Sometimes you gotta pull on the side for them to pass you okay. We got the best subdivision
of the are. Okay.
SPRINGER:Mr. Lasiter before you continue can you identify the maps that youre
showing us?
LASITER:Yes okay this here is Hoonani. Okay. This here is the Inaba residence,
what they plan to build and this is Waimea town. This here goes to Honokaa.
SPRINGER:So the 3 sheets piece together to form one overview?
LASITER:Ihave3sheetshereandIhave3pointstomake.Thankyouvery
much. First of all, I want them to build that because I dont want to see a hundred homes
here. You know I want Kamuela to be beautiful. They have the right to do it. We live in a
great country, you know were Americans. And theyre going to build on this anyway. The
flooding is a problem. And Im going to get to that right now. Now, at the bottom you see 3
yellow marks here. Okay these were originally drainage ditches. Theres 3 dry wells, theres
2 here on Kipahele Street and theres one on Hoohua Street. Now over the years this over
here was back filled and sold, theres a house on it. This one here has been back filled and
sold, theres a house on it. This one here has been sold. The drainage ditch that Mr.
Matsumoto is talking about runs from the back property. It comes from this lot up here. I live
on the top. It comes from this lot goes all the way down and dumps in here. Now, water
comes from our subdivision down, hits the road and all the subdivisions dump their water on
the side of the road, on both sides it flows that way. Now, about a quarter mile down is one
culvert which runs under the highway to a ditch which goes to the flood plane; we call that
Lake Waimea. Theres no hotel there. Okay. All right. Now, year and a half ago March, the
rain came, the rain. Ive never seen so much rain. Ive been here since 1987. I never seen so
much water. I got concrete all around my house. I got a angle at it. I had water 10 feet from
going under my house; Ive never seen water like that. Never. The stream shes talking about
comes from up here theres an empty lot with a big ravine. It comes through here works itself
from the back and shes here. Two houses above theres a Japanese family with a long
concrete driveway and this water comes right through and gushes as a river down his
driveway to the street. Ive seen it. Okay. March of a year and a half ago, the water was so
bad if your car wasnt part submarine you werent going to get out. I got a Texas Cadillac, an
F250 Ford turbo diesel great truck. I get through no problem. Mr. Matsumotos wife works
for Parker Ranch, she couldnt go to work. Other cars got stalled nobody paid for their repair
bill. Water goes all the way down. The County, now I went there Monday at the base yard to
ask a question. Not to complain, I dont like complaining, we all need to work together. I
said has any work been done since the big rain she goes no, nothing. All this is, from this
subdivision on is a slanted incline along the highway which goes all the way down to that
culvert and under the highway and keeps going and keeps going until it goes to Lake Waimea.
From this side of our subdivision, theyre on their own. This rain was so bad; the water was
so up here on both sides of the road all you had was a piece of black top with a white line.
Thats how bad the water was. Now Im not against the Inabas. I want to see it there; I dont
EXHIBIT F
12
want to see a hundred homes. The County is not checking up on it. I dont know what it is
but I tell you one thing. If these problems arent taken care of, this ladys problem isnt taken
care of, this subdivision isnt done right, theres going to be more problems. And I want to
see them build it. Now as far as access. Now they have the right to have their own
subdivision if you put it that way by using our infrastructure, which is 20 years old. Weve
already got separations in the street. Weve got some cracks, weve had some patches and
most of all its old. The infrastructure is old. The lady was right. The drains cant take a
heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy downpour. It pours in the street and we mean pours in the street.
It goes along the street sides. Now, if they had a road which connected from the 2 cul-de-sacs
straight across and came down wed have access for emergency vehicles instead of being-.
All these people being jammed into 2 streets. The traffic is so bad on this highway now if you
take your kids to school theres a backup of cars trying to get out. When I first moved in here
you might see 4, you call it a traffic jam. Its getting worse and worse and worse and worse.
Weve got 148 lots, 25 are left vacant minus these here. Before you know it this ones filled
up,thisdrainagecanalisuseless.Thedrywellsareuseless.Sowhatareweheadinginfora
problem. See Im here to talk about the future. Im a licensed landscaper, C27 number 26141
State of Hawaii. Ive had 15 years yard service business. I know, Ive lived here, Ive
worked these yards. Ive seen it rain. Ive seen it rain. Ive had one summer 4 months of wet
weather. I mean the ground was squish, squish. My lawnmowers got stuck I had to get a 4
wheel drive and pull it out. It drove me nuts. And then you talk about rain sometimes my
wood stove burns 9 days, 10 days straight. If youre going to do this you gotta think smart.
You cant think cheap. The other way is they build their own road okay. They do it correctly,
in the future you want to sub-divide, no problem. You got your own road, your own fire
hydrants and your own lights. Thats an option for them. If they do this and nobody takes
care of this problem down here and the existing drainage areas well all have problems here.
If theres an emergency, theres an earthquake or theres a fire, youve got, how about 350
cars all together. You got 150 something homes once these are all sold. Kids, wives and
husbands trying to get out think about it. See when the Mormons built Salt Lake City they
put their Conestoga wagons in a big circle. This is a true story. They went all the way across
to the west and they said okay, put all these wagons in a circle. And they made this circle and
they went from diameter to diameter and said thats how wide our streets are going to be.
And if youve been to downtown Salt Lake City and I have it is big as a football field. If we
dont start thinking now theyre going to suffer, were going to suffer. The County doesnt
get their act together everybodys going to suffer. Lets do it smartly. I want them to build
this place. I want to see 5-acre lots. I dont want to see another massive subdivision, we
dont need that. Thats my point of view. And if you got any questions hit me with it cause
Im waiting for that swimming pool.
SPRINGER:Commissioners any questions for Mr. Lasiter? Thank you Mr. Lasiter.
Mr. Yuen I dont have a question for Mr. Lasiter but one for you peaked by his comments. Is
there anything that this body can do to encourage our fellow County agencies to maintain the
existing dry wells and drainage ditches.
YUEN:You know what I suggest is that we send a copy of the transcript of his
portion of the testimony to the Department of Public Works. I think he was pretty clear. And,
you leaving those maps with us?
EXHIBIT F
13
LASITER:You can have em.
YUEN:Lets do that. And well just put on a transmittal that this is a statement
by a concerned citizen that we received at our hearing. And its an existing issue that is there
whether or not this application goes forward. He brought it to this body. I mean you know
the Planning Commission here is not an operational entity thats responsible for cleaning out
ditches or maintaining dry wells. I dont like to shun you know send people from one agency
to another so I think what we could do is simply send this with a transmittal and say that this
is a concerned citizens input at our hearing and hope that, ask them to see what they can do
about it. Im perturbed that the dry wells were covered over. That should not have happened,
I dont know.
LASITER:Actually the dry wells are there but they cant handle the velocity of
water and all these drainage ditches. Ive lived there all these years and whats happened
beforewhenitrainedheavytheyfilleduptothemax.Thewaterstillcameintotheroad.
And we still had a hard time with some cars getting over. Its history, its gone. The
infrastructure to catch that water is history. That lot here has blue flags on it. Its sold, its
being cleared right now. And I want to say 1 thing to the Inaba family. A couple of years ago
Jason your house got broken into the one up there the old one. I seen those kids come across,
they came up from your property and they went up here and I was in my yard and I seen them.
When the cops came I gave them a full description. I know those kids and theyre gone,
theyre history. Okay. You see Im not against this but, and when the County says they
havent done a darn thing about this, its not going to hurt, its not going to help anybody.
Lets think about the future. And thats all Im here for cause I want to go drink beer and go
in the swimming pool, Im late.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Lasiter. Mr. Yuen I wonder if just in that transmittal
letter it could indicated that Mr. Lasiters testimony amplifies the previous testimony of Ms.
Frias and Mr. Matsumoto also?
YUEN:Well do that. If we would mention in his testimony, which I think is
the most explicit as far as what the problems are that we had two other people testify about
issues in the subdivision.
SPRINGER:And I guess my last question with regard to issues raised by the
testifiers with regard to emergency access and emergency access vehicles particularly being
able to get into the subject property in times of big rain or bad weather is there anything that
we should know about that Mr. Yuen?
YUEN:As far as whats before us here were at a-, were considering a
rezoning that would allow 8 lots versus 1 now. So were talking about 7 additional lots. To
me if the problem is that the access into the subdivision, the current Hoonani Residential
Subdivision is blocked at high rainfall/flood type conditions, it would be much better to fix
that than to say that a adjacent 7 lot subdivision or 8 lot subdivision has to develop a road to
provide a second route out for the people in the existing subdivision.
EXHIBIT F
14
SPRINGER: Thank you Mr. Yuen. Are we anticipating that perhaps our transmittal
to Department of Public Works might help with that issue that has been raised here? We
dont know. Thank you to the testifiers for coming forward. Back to the applicant. Youve
heard the testimony-, you folks are excused if you care to stay with us you may or if you need
to make your previous appointments youre welcome to do that as well. To the applicant,
youve heard the testimony that was given to this Planning Commission. Do you have any
comments on the testimony that you heard today?
INABA, J.:You want to say anything in regards to the testimony that was just
given?
INABA, Y.:That going be handled by public works?
INABA, J.:Well, I go say something. The only comment I would have is that the
subdivisionactuallywasdesignedfortheleastimpactwithveryminimalpavement.Any
additional roads would create more runoff areas so thats something to think about. More
roadways is more runoff, typically.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Inaba. Commissioners do you have any questions for
the applicant? Mr. Watanabe?
WATANABE:Mr. Inaba in light of the testimony you know is it-. I know it might
exacerbate the problem at Mamalahoa but is it feasible for, economically feasible that is for
you folks to develop some type of ditch like swale between your subdivision and the
adjoining subdivision such that you know the-? Cause it seems like the natural topography is
such that the water will naturally flow to-.
INABA, J.:Hes asking-.
WATANABE:I realize the impact of a few more houses is not that great cause you
dont have that much impermeable service but surface but, you still are adding to the
impermeable surface yeah.
INABA, Y.:Yeah.
INABA, J.:Hes asking about the possibility of putting a ditch along the boundary
but-. The thing is about putting a ditch is its gotta go somewhere so where is it going to end
up yeah? I mean you gonna-.
WATANABE:Exactly and I said-.
INABA, J.:-you gonna accumulate water and put it-.
WATANABE:Exactly, I realize that and-.
INABA, J.:Youre going to concentrate the water.
EXHIBIT F
15
WATANABE:Its all going to be concentrated obviously at Mamalahoa but maybe
you know Im assuming that theyre going to have to fix that no matter what.
INABA, J.:Yeah. As far as the preexisting water I dont know what we can do.
WATANABE:No, no what Im saying is to prevent any-. Well to minimize, not
prevent but minimize maybe some of the runoff is that economically feasible?
INABA, J.:If its approved when we go in for subdivision approval the Department
of Public Works will require you know the drainage study and the drainage improvements to
accommodate additional runoff based on the improvements, the new improvements that we
make.
WATANABE:Well, I guess Im not familiar with the topography so I know you cant
makewaterrunuphillandImnotsurehowmanyhillstherearebetweenthetopofyour
subdivision and Mamalahoa Highway. But it doesnt seem like you can make it go the other
way so theres only one way it can go towards the highway right?
INABA, J.:Yeah, yeah. He-, Mr. Inaba feels that you know that when we go into
the subdivision approval that the Department of Public Works will address you know the
drainage concerns.
SPRINGER:Thank you. Mr. Watanabe do you have follow up? Commissioners
any other questions for the applicant? Commissioner Graham?
GRAHAM:Id like to bring up sort of a new issue in regard to this but Id like you
to at least have the applicant part of the proceedings while I do this so Id rather do it right
now rather than wait until you close the hearing. And that has to do with the cul-de-sacs and
lateral access across. I know Department of Public Works asked in their recommendation that
their be road improvements going across this property. I know thats a little excessive for
such a simple agricultural rezoning perhaps to do all the expenses of building those County
roads across. But where Im heading is I would like to see an easement at least given to the
County to continue those roads across, those 2 lateral roads and let me explain a little bit kind
of whats behind my thought on this. First off from a General Planning perspective like
Commissioner Iwashita whose not here today, he and I attended this workshop in Waimea 6
months ago or something and this is a perfect example of what they were discussing. Where
you have people that live a half a mile away from somebody else but in order to get there you
gotta drive out to the main highway, drive across and get in. And this whole section of wet-
side Waimea is like that. The next road going up wind is White Road and my first act, when I
was on the Planning Commission, when I first came on was to approve a-, I think it was like a
daycare school on White Road, a Hawaiian oriented one. So, what it essentially means is
anybody lives in these subdivisions if they want to leave kids there they gotta turn around
drive out to the road and drive you know a very short distance and then pick up White Road
and go back. And I know like after that you got Nani Waimea and then you have all those
things there. Each one of them is just kind of like one road or maybe in this case like 2 roads.
And you watch the kids on these roads. The kids they all got friends on the road and their
friend on the road might be half a mile away down by the highway or not but the next road
EXHIBIT F
16
over they cant ride their bicycles over there unless they make some kind of cut through. So,
with the kind of good planning process that we learned about and I think we all kind of know
in our minds is you want to have some kind of a grid. So that people can go from one place to
another and not always have to run out to the highway. So I think its excessive to ask this
applicant for his agricultural rezoning to make County paved roadways through his place. But
I do feel like he should make a public access to take these other side roads which already
exists and which would be sort of dead-ended by his property. I think he should make an
easement available to the County so that at the Countys expense or somebody elses expense
in the future there can be a continuation or flow so everybody doesnt have to run to the
highway all the time to get anywhere. Anyway, I reckon as were only making a
recommendation here and the County Council will decide on this issue but I think its very
important and I think that whole area of Waimea, whatever we can do to bring about some
lateral flow in the subdivisions would be very good. And Im disappointed that the Planning
Department is willing to have these things kind of stub out the way they are in this
application.
SPRINGER:Mr.YuencouldyourespondtoMr.Grahamscomment.
YUEN:Allthosearereallyvalidpoints.Ifthiswere,iftheGeneralPlanfor
this area-. Better to look at the map on the left. And you see the subject property with the red
dot and then you see the blue area between the 2 green areas right now thats all open fields.
And in the General Plan its important agricultural land. If it-, on the lower part and some
extensive on the part. If we were looking at the General Plan as this at being an urban area in
the future with residential neighborhoods we surely would-, even if this were, even if this
project were still coming in with 4-acre lots or 5-acre lots. We would still insist upon cross
street connection across this property, perhaps by way as you suggest of easement rather than
by constructing it at this time. Im not opposed to having a-, requiring a reservation of a street
for the Hauhoa Street extension, which is a lower street. The upper street I do believe that it
hits a gully and you wouldnt be able to get across there feasibly you wouldnt be able to
build something across there feasibly. Im not 100% sure of that but thats from what I see on
the topographic maps and what Ive looked at on the ground there. And Id also, Id like to
see what comments the applicant has on that. I think what youre saying is valid. Its less
important because this is likely you know if we, if there is further development in this area its
likely to be very low density rather than a residential kind of density. But I think it has merit
the idea of extending at least of having a road reserve for at least Hauhoa Street that if there is
rezoning or subdivision of the lots in between then those can also have access into the
subdivision and create more of a grid above the main highway there.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Yuen. Mr. Inaba do you have any response to
Commissioner Graham and Director Yuens comments?
INABA, J.:Theyre talking about the Jardine area, providing a road reserve across
here. Hes saying that the adjoining property has access already from Mamalahoa Highway.
SPRINGER:Im sorry could you repeat that please?
INABA, J:Mr. Inaba says that the adjoining lot has access-.
EXHIBIT F
17
INABA, Y.:Mr. Onodera. Mr. Onodera had the back lot leased to a contractor who
does construction work. And he used that access to haul in the cattle and haul the cattle away,
never hauled through our property or anyplace because he had access from the highway. The
access was provided for him and thats what hes been using all the time.
SPRINGER:I think what were discussing is the possibility of an easement
extending from, I dont see on my-, Hauhoa Street across your property. An easement not a
road at this time but a right-of-way for future road to be installed.
INABA, Y.:Oh, just for future.
INABA, J.:Like a reserve or right-of-way, reserve.
INABA, Y.:Yeah, thats possible but they have an access already you know.
SPRINGER:Mr. Yuen?
YUEN:Yeah thats right. There is a existing legal access but for example if
these properties toward the Waimea side of you were to come in for a similar rezoning to
agricultural 5 acres the County would consider it desirable that there be some lateral access.
INABA,Y.:YouknowIremindyou,letyoufolksknowthatthereisanaccess.
YUEN:Allright.
INABA,Y.:Wherebytheyusedtohaulallthecattleoverthereandhaulthecattle
out. They never go across our-, across this property because they had access provided for
them, for the cattle.
YUEN:Do you object if a condition of the subdivision that you provide a road
reserve for-?
INABA, Y.:What he said?
INABA, J.:He wants to know if you object to providing the road easement?
INABA, Y.:No. Well, we can-, just an easement.
SPRINGER:Thank you shall we put that in the form of a new condition?
INABA, Y.:Just a easement yeah, we not going build the road.
YUEN:If its the wish of the Commission we can put in a condition that says
that the applicant shall provide a-.
INABA, Y.:Mr. Yuen?
EXHIBIT F
18
YUEN:Yes.
INABA, Y.:Providingone easement, thats okay with us.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Inaba.
INABA, Y.:Thats what you requesting yeah, provide one easement?
YUEN:Yeah. I think Id call it a road reserve though. It will be a-, well it
would be an easement yes. But it will be for the possibility of a future road going through
there, the extension of Hauhoa Street.
INABA, Y.:What he said?
YUEN:In the future.
INABA, Y.:I cannot hear you know.
INABA, J.:An easement for possible road extension by others.
INABA, Y.:Yeah, yeah, by others, yeah. By others yeah its okay.
YUEN:So the motion would be, provide a-, it would have to be a 50-foot
easement. Provide a 50-foot easement for the future extension, possible future extension of
Hauhoa Street across the subject property meeting with the approval of the Department of
PublicWorks.
SPRINGER:CommissionerGrahamdoesthatcoveryourconcerns?
GRAHAM:Wellthatcertainlycovershalfofmyconcernandprobablythemost
important half so I can go along with that.
SPRINGER:Other Commissioners questions or comments either for the applicant or
the Director?
ALAMEDA:Question for the Director.
SPRINGER:Mr. Alameda?
ALAMEDA:Given that new condition, the owner, say the future owners of that
particular property if this were to pass, thats a big easement and wouldnt they be unable then
to build close to that, on the easement?
SPRINGER:Mr. Yuen?
EXHIBIT F
19
YUEN:Well, it depends on-, no it wouldnt effect their right to build because if
the easement is actually taken in the future as a road site, even if at that cut down-. Once the
property has been allowed to be subdivided then it-. Say you lose a 1/2-acre and your
property is 4-1/2 acres instead of 5 acres, youve already been subdivided so it would not
make a subdivision impossible. What might be tricky is laying it out so that it doesnt
interfere with the usability of a portion of the lot. Because you want to lay it out at the
boundary of-, youd like to lay it out along the boundary of one of the lots instead of cutting
across it and that may take some adjustment of the current subdivision design to do that.
SPRINGER:Commissioners any further questions of the applicant or the Director.
Mr. Lasiter?
LASITER:I have 2 suggestions before I go maam one for the County and one for
Inaba. My sons in the swimming pool and thats our father and son time to talk about life.
Youallcanhearme?
SPRINGER:Couldyoupleasespeakintothemicrophone?
LASITER:OkayfirstofalltotheCountyyouneedtogoasfarasthewaterrunoff
believe me you need to check this. From our subdivision down on the East Side, you need to
go all the way down towards Mokuloa where the Hawaiian Homes Hall is. That is how the
culvert runs and it goes under the highway. That is the most important outdated section of our
highway. If that was taken care of I dont think wed have a problem. Mr. Inaba on this
section of our subdivision water runs underground and goes down the highway. Its like a
underwater stream it goes from cesspools and the waters dirty. I strongly suggest that you get
core samples in your low lying area just to see what the soil, how deep it is and the water
saturation and thats only a suggestion for you.
INABA, Y.:Can I ask you a question?
LASITER:Yes sir.
INABA, Y.:May I ask you a question?
LASITER:Yes sir.
INABA, Y.:Are you familiar with the conditions now around the Hauhoa side road
where from this lot above they have all walls built to divert the water this side.
LASITER:Oh the Hamakua ditch?
INABA, Y.:I beg your pardon?
LASITER:The Hamakua ditch?
INABA, Y.:I not talking about the Hamakua ditch. Within the subdivision they
have people already built big walls to divert the water. The stream comes over here see.
EXHIBIT F
20
LASITER:That I-.
INABA, Y.:They built all walls over here and this wall she built it this year because
the water came from here.
SPRINGER:Can we provide him with a microphone.
INABA, Y.:It diverted the water this side.
LASITER:What hes talking about maam is up-.
INABA, Y.:Are you familiar with that?
LASITER:No sir.
INABA, Y.:Oh you gotta go check that before-.
LASITER:Because I live on the opposite side, Ive never seen those walls.
INABA, Y.:Thats a big issue.
LASITER:What hes talking about is theres some people-.
INABA, Y.:Were not saying anything because the wall is there already but they
diverting the water.
SPRINGER:Perhaps this is a conversation that you should have away from this
proceeding?
INABA,Y.:Theyhaveahollowtilewallaboutthat-.
LASITER:Sir,IveneverseentheareaIdontevengothatfarandIliveinthe
same subdivision.
SPRINGER:Thank you Mr. Lasiter.
INABA, Y.:Thats okay.
SPRINGER:Commissioners any further discussion? Seeing none were ready for a
motion which would include a new condition that discusses provision of a 50-foot for a
possible extension of the Hauhoa Street across the subject property. Is anyone prepared?
May I have a motion?
ALAMEDA:So were closing the testimony now we can go into discussion before
motion?
EXHIBIT F
21
SPRINGER:Mm, hm.
ALAMEDA:I just wanted to get a feel for Commissioner Graham on his earlier
point and then kind of it you would please your feeling of kind of where youre at? I think
you raised a good concern thats why regarding this applicant.
SPRINGER:Commissioner Graham?
GRAHAM:You mean something different than what I said before or?
ALAMEDA:Just given what youve heard, since now this is the time we can discuss.
GRAHAM:Sure. Well when I originally saw this application I was concerned
about cutting down ag size but I really appreciated Director Yuens discussion and the
recommendationherewhichIthoughtwasquiteonpointsothatImcomfortablewiththe
change in ag sizes in this area. And again Im in support of this rezoning but I was very
concerned about losing lateral access along between the subdivisions because I see that
problem there all the time. And I actually have a sister who lives on one of the different roads
and I see the problems that kids have there and everything. So I just want to try and use this
opportunity to at least keep our options open in that regard.
SPRINGER:Any further discussion? Commissioner Alameda?
ALAMEDA:I feel little bit-, about the flooding situation I feel like we just kind of-,
not really revisiting that somehow and I feel little bit uncomfortable about-. Cause I know
part of our decision is you know like are we enhancing the quality of life, quality of life issue
and we are for the Inabas but we probably wouldnt be for the surrounding properties given
the flooding situation. So, in terms of supporting this applicant Im still 50/50 thats why Im
looking for you know, other input so it could help me with my decision.
SPRINGER:Other Commissioners we hear Commissioner Alamedas concern. His
concern that the flooding may be exaggerated or exacerbated by this approval. Mr. Yuen do
you have any input to make to the Commissioner?
YUEN:I understand the Commission members concern when members of the
public come and they tell us they have a problem. And I believe what they say. However we
are looking here at a subdivision where we havent seen anything that really indicates that this
subdivision will make it worse. As members of the County who live on a-, who live in a
subdivision with County dedicated roads and infrastructure they can expect to County to try to
solve their problems for them as it stands yeah. But its not something that the Planning
Commission is responsible for doing. So, and naturally this application being a public
hearing is a forum for people. And its very natural they come-, its a forum where they can
voice their concerns about the existing condition and say look dont make it worse. I would
be-; we should do what we can in this rezoning to avoid making things worse. I dont think
we should hold up the rezoning because of actions not taken that would make things, it would
make the existing condition get better.
EXHIBIT F
22
SPRINGER:I think to Commissioner Alameda, with the transmittal of the transcript
and the maps that Mr. Lasiter has provided were not turning a deaf ear to the issues raised by
the members of the community that have come forward but are in essence amplifying their
testimony and directing it to the division of the County that they might not otherwise have
made input to. Commissioner Watanabe?
WATANABE: You ready for a motion?
SPRINGER:Yes sir.
WATANABE:I move that a favorable recommendation be forwarded to the County
Council on application for change of zoning, docket number 05-003 based on the Directors
recommendations and inclusive of the revision for the 50-foot easement that crosses the
property, the parcel.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioner Watanabe is there a second?
ALAMEDA:Second.
SPRINGER:Thank you Commissioner Alameda. And during discussion Id just
liketomakesurethatthemembersofthecommunitywhocameforwardwiththeirtestimony
understand that we make a recommendation to the County Council and that this matter will be
heard again by them. So again your voice could be amplified by submitting testimony to that
body. Is there any further discussion among the Commissioners on this motion? Seeing
none, Mr. Hayashi?
HAYASHI:Thank you Madam Chair. Before I call for the vote I just wanted to
make sure that the wording of the condition. I guess it will be a new Condition F and all
subsequent conditions would be re-alphabetized. And the wording that-, just to make it clear,
that the applicant shall provide a 50-foot roadway easement for possible extension of Hauhoa
Street to the western boundary of the property meeting with the approval of the Department of
Public Works. Would that be sufficient?
YUEN:Yes.
HAYASHI:Okay. One other thing too, on Condition D, just for clarity we just
wanted to make sure that we put the proper reference relative to the new County Code. So, I
would like to make the changes to that also, as well as to the ordinance the proper heading
reference to the 2005 edition. Okay with that Ill call for the roll call vote. Commissioner
Watanabe?
WATANABE:Aye.
HAYASHI:Commissioner Alameda?
ALAMEDA:Aye.
EXHIBIT F
23
HAYASHI:Commissioner Graham?
GRAHAM:Aye.
HAYASHI:Commissioner Salavea?
SALAVEA:Aye.
HAYASHI:And Chair Springer?
SPRINGER:Yes.
HAYASHI:Madam Chair motion carries with 5 aye votes.
SPRINGER:Thankyou,youllbeinformedinwritingofourdecision.
INABA,J.:Thankyou.
SPRINGER:Yourewelcome.
Thisdiscussionendedat4:14p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Marushige, West Hawaii Secretary
EXHIBIT F
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