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Home My WebLink About2010-11-24 TPD-USE TELECOM LEEWARD PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAIÒI HEARING TRANSCRIPT NOVEMBER 24, 2010 PLANNING DIRECTOR INITIATED AMENDMENT A regularly advertised hearing on the TO CHAPTER 25, RELATING TO USE PERMITS AND TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS was called to order at 11:27 a.m. in the King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Ballroom I, 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, HawaiÒi, with Chairman Frederic Housel presiding. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Frederic Housel, Brandi Beaudet, Lani Bowman, Thomas Hickcox and Richard Nelson ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Geraldine Giffin and Wayne Iokepa STAFF PRESENT: Brandon Gonzalez (Deputy Corporation Counsel), BJ Leithead Todd (Planning Director), Daryn Arai (Planning Program Manager), Jeff Darrow (Staff Planner) and Maija Cottle (Staff Planner) And two people from the public in attendance. INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR Amendment to Chapter 25 (Zoning Code), Articles 2, 4 and 5 of the HawaiÒi County Code, 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), relating to Use Permits and Telecommunication Towers within the Open-zoned District. HOUSEL: The next item on our agenda is Item 8, and this is also initiated by the Planning Director. This is an amendment to Chapter 25, Zoning Code, Articles 2, 4 and 5 of the HawaiÒi County Code, relating to use permits and telecommunication towers within Open-zoned district. Daryn, would you like to present? ARAI: Sure. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Recently, the Planning Department was approached with a proposal to place a telecommunication tower upon HlaÒi Hill in the South Hilo District, City of Hilo. That hill is currently zoned Open by the Zoning Code. Now, in the purpose statement for the Open zoned district, and IÓm going to paraphrase here, that the purpose of the Open zoned district is to encourage development around parks and those type of open uses and to preserve those type of investments to buffer incompatible uses or land use districts, preserve a valuable scenic vista or area of special historical significance, preserve submerged lands, fish ponds and lakes Î thatÓs the purpose of an Open zoned district. So the Zoning Code that currently allows a telecommunication tower as an outright permitted use to be established in an Open to the purpose of having an Open zoned district. This bill is an effort to fix that by triggering the need for a use permit to be considered by the Planning Commission for any proposed telecommunication tower within an Open zoned district. So it was predicated on a specific proposal thatÓs currently before the County. And with that, we are hoping that you do support this pr bill. I stand ready to receive any questions you may have. HOUSEL: Okay. Any questions from Commissioners? No? So to make sure, I -. Go ahead, Commissioner Bowman. 1 EXHIBIT E BOWMAN: No, no, IÓm just -. HOUSEL: Okay. I just want to be clear about what this does. Currently, telecommunication towers are allowed in the Open use district, is that correct? ARAI: That is correct. HOUSEL: Okay. Without a permit? ARAI: Without a permit issued by the Planning Commission. I should also note that it is permitted when the Open designated lands are situated within the State Land Use Urban district. If itÓs in t State Land Use Agricultural district, it still requires a special permit. If itÓs in the Conservation district, it requires approval by the State. HOUSEL: Okay, so this would, if this change were approved, would require a use permit for a telecommunications tower in the Open zone -. ARAI: Open zoned district, yes. HOUSEL: Okay. Any questions? Could we get a motion, please? BOWMAN: I move that we approve the Planning DirectorÓs amendment to Chapter 25 relating to the use permits and telecommunication antenna and tower. NELSON: Second. HOUSEL: Motion made by Commissioner Bowman, seconded by Commissioner Nelson. Daryn? ARAI: Mr. Chairman, I just want to clarify that motion that it is to forward a favorable recommendation to the County Council since this is an amendment -. BOWMAN: Sorry, yes, favorable recommendation. Sorry. Thank you. HOUSEL: Thank you, Daryn. Would you like to do the roll? ARAI: Sure, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Commissioner Bowman? BOWMAN: Aye. ARAI: Commissioner Nelson? NELSON: Aye. ARAI: Commissioner Beaudet? BEAUDET: Aye. ARAI: Commissioner Hickcox? 2 EXHIBIT E HICKCOX: Aye. ARAI: And Mr. Chairman? HOUSEL: Aye. ARAI: Mr. Chairman, motion carries with five aye votes. HOUSEL: Thank you. By the way, for the record there was no one to testify on this issue. The discussion ended at 11:31 a.m. The following statement regarding this proposed amendment was made by Director Leithead Todd after the next agenda item: LEITHEAD TODD: Commissioners, this is a matter on the prior one. I just wanted to, I was double-checking it, and I wanted to correct. On No. 8, there is a reference to demigod Maui and his sisters; it should be ÐHina Keahi and Hina KuluÒua.Ñ He does have a sister named Hina Kekai; there is not a sister named Hinaikawai. And so I wanted to make sure that the reference to the three hills in Hilo are principally referenced to Hina Keahi and Hina KuluÒua. And those are the relevant stories and in particular as itÓs related to HlaÒi Hill. And just for informational purposes, I thought you would be interested that the three hills in Hilo in addition to the mythology related to HlaÒi Hill, and the pit on top of the hill which is the critical portion of that mythology, one of the other hills is associated with Maui and his fight with the Òalae bird to capture the secret of fire. So this is a very significant area in Hilo. Respectfully submitted, Noriko Sauer, Secretary Leeward Planning Commission 3 EXHIBIT E