Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-1-2010 SKCDP AC Minutes 1 Meeting of Action Committee South Kohala Community Development Plan March 1, 2010 Waimea Senior Center Committee Members Present: Nancy Alvord, Mike Fischer, Margaret Horwatt, Robin Inaba, Leonard Librizzi, Jeannie Palermo, Achahn Schulze, Fran Tabor Others: Project Manager Allen Salavea; Members of the public Sherman Warner, Margaret Wille; Recorder Judith Graham Handouts: Permit Activity Report for March 2010; Operating Guidelines template The meeting began at 4:35 pm. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Margaret Wille, formerly a member of the South Kohala Steering Committee, emphasized points in the CDP document which she hoped members would pay special attention to. She referenced mandatory items on page 4 and stated that sentences with the word “should” were important, not just a guideline. The precautionary principal is described on page 9 and should be used when weighing private versus public interest. Regarding leadership, she hoped the committee would nominate someone not connected with the development community. She is chair of the Waimea Planning and Design Review committee. Approval of Minutes Leonard Librizzi requested a correction of the February 9 minutes to clarify that he was born and raised on Oahu and had lived on this island since 2001. With this correction, the minutes were approved. Members were accepting of narrative minutes instead of condensed minutes. At this time it was noted that member Jeannie Palermo, who was absent at the first meeting, needs to be sworn in before a notary. 1.Land Use Permit Activity Report Allen Salavea provided the Action Committee (AC) with a three-page tabular report showing specific plan approvals, additional farm dwellings, ohana dwellings, subdivisions, and Planning Commission items, mostly representing 2009 activity for South Kohala. He said 2009 had been a slow year, with no subdivision or Planning 2 Commission applications. The following discussion focused on the role of the AC with regard to reviewing such items, and to the role the AC wanted to develop for itself. During questioning by members, Allen Salavea clarified that some applications have a 30-day approval window, others can last years. The Planning Department has a hard copy system. Leonard Librizzi noted that applicants may be developers and not the landowners. AC’s Role: Mike Fischer and Fran Tabor questioned a statement by the Planning Director in the handout: “The Action Committee is not going to be able to review and comment formally on the applications for permits that the Planning Department processes.” Allen Salavea said the AC is advisory; if the Planning Director wants input on a particular subject, then a comment will be requested. The AC would focus on implementing the CDP. Reviewing applications would be very time consuming. Time is better spent looking at implementation opportunities, synergy between communities and advocacy work. There is already a public review of applications. Further Discussion: Allen said the AC can stimulate public participation. The community needs a better understanding of the system. For example, many do not understand the signs posted on properties for which an application has been made. Members reviewed the scope of the AC described in the CDP. Allen will clarify with the Corporation Counsel Office if the AC can submit an opinion on a project when not solicited. He gave several examples that were problematic. The Ooma developer had wanted the Kona AC to submit favorable testimony. In another instance, two individuals from the same AC, one opposed and one favoring a project, testified they represented their AC. Jeannie Palermo wanted not to micromanage but to be able to consider big issues. However, Allen said selection might prove a slippery slope. For example, a developer might say, why was my project singled out? Maybe criteria or a threshold can be set. Robin Inaba noted that plan approvals covered items such as parking, etc, and came very late in the process. For additional farm dwellings etc. there are established criteria. The AC was interested in subdivisions and Planning Commission items. Mike Fischer believed that for now confidence was well placed in the Planning Director’s role as initiator; but wondered whether the AC would have legal standing to take an action regarding the CDP at some later date. Fran Tabor did not want to selectively limit the AC’s scope to advocacy. Allen stated that he takes a very broad approach to advocacy and mentioned soliciting community input and contacting departments. Planning Commission: Members asked whether the AC could be put on the Planning Commission distribution list for agendas, and whether the AC could receive materials reviewed by Planning Commissioners. Allen indicated any individual resident can be put on the list for agendas. A point person for the AC could make requests. Allen noted complexities of jurisdiction, as with Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and the very extensive reading required of Planning Commission members. Regarding applications for 3 large projects or where decision-making might be more subjective, Planning Department staff are asked to determine whether a project conforms to the CDP. Allen provides comments to the Planning Commission regarding South Kohala projects; AC members can read these comments, as can any citizen. Priorities: Allen believed the AC really wants to understand what we are trying to accomplish in the end. Nancy Alvord thought there was plenty of work to do without reviewing applications. Allen noted that the Kona AC was focused on implementation and advocacy: how are we going to get the CDP recommendations accomplished? Leonard wished to look more at important topics such as zoning and land use designations. Fran too preferred a focus on the big picture. Mike Fischer noted specifics are in the CDP: our job is to do what the Steering Committee told us to do. For example, [implementing] the CDP’s concurrency management system would probably involve lobbying and generating community support. Margaret Horwatt moved to advance to another agenda item; Leonard seconded, and the AC agreed. NEW BUSINESS 2.SKCDP Action Committee Vacancy A ninth AC member is still needed. The vacancy has been announced and applications will be accepted until 4:30 pm on March 24. A selection committee will review the applications. Allen clarified that the AC can operate with eight members and a quorum of five. Leonard asked if the AC could have access to the people who have applied. Allen will check with them for permission; if they are willing, names can be released. Allen noted that the Deputy Corporation Counsel will be available to the AC by cell phone. Review Draft Operating Guidelines 3. The AC agreed to defer this to a later month’s agenda. At some point operating guidelines need to be ratified. AC members were asked to submit comments on the template operating guidelines to Allen before the next meeting 4.Retreat to Develop Management Structure and Cohesion Allen proposed a retreat in part to help develop what structure the AC was most comfortable with. For example, whether to adopt Roberts Rules or a consensus style of decision making. Members would also get to know each other. Funds were not available to pay a facilitator for the gathering, which can be agendized as an executive meeting. In a round robin poll, members concurred they would prefer a retreat sooner rather than later. 4 The AC can look at the County web page to see what other such committees are doing. The retreat might occur on a Saturday. Allen will send out an email soliciting days and times when people will be available to commit for a five-hour block of time. OLD BUSINESS 5. Election of Chair and Vice Chair On this topic Leonard Librizzi asked if someone wanted to volunteer. Jeannie Palermo and Mike Fischer volunteered. Fran Tabor suggested they might serve as interim volunteers. Allen described the scope and duties of a chair: to work with Allen to set the agenda, possibly to add items to the agenda, to review minutes in advance as Allen does, to facilitate meetings, and to act as a designated spokesperson for the AC. Achahn Schulze moved, and Fran Tabor seconded, that Mike and Jeannie serve as co chairs until a further decision is made at the retreat. Approval was unanimous among the AC members. 6. Determine Meeting Location and Rotation Schedule The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 24, at 5 pm. The later time suited several members. The date adjustment will enable Margaret Horwatt to attend. Mike Fischer of Waikoloa expressed that when substantive issues arose, then other meeting locations might be more important. For now, most members come from Waimea and a Waimea location is convenient STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Margaret Wille stressed that the Steering Committee had fought to secure for the AC the opportunity to review developments; see CDP page 148. South Kohala was the only AC that has “other duties specified in the CDP.” There are logs on subdivisions and rezoning, available for review. These are the important ones. Margaret discussed in some detail a recent Parker School application. She said impact fees are coming up for consideration on March 16 and there are other important issues ahead. The AC should ask to be kept informed. The Steering Committee had worked to empower the AC. Sherman Warner said there are “lots of action items” in the CDP and lots that call for a push for legislation. The AC might want to pull items out and prioritize them. On the Parker School matter, he said the Planning Commission had approved the application without incorporating an agreement worked out with the community. Several AC members expressed a belief that Parker School would or should abide by the agreement referenced. 5 Set Agenda for the Next Meeting Allen mentioned developing formats that will be suitable to generate an annual report of the AC’s work for the community and government. This would show what the AC was doing and why. These items were spelled out for the next meeting: Strategic Work Plans Goals and Priorities Formation of Subcommittees CIP Allen clarified that members of the public could not put items on the agenda; however, a person can request that of an AC member. The main objective is to set the agenda in the larger group. Task: Members were asked to pull out their top ten priorities from the CDP and send them to Allen Salavea by March 15 or sooner. CDP priorities appear at chapter ends. CIP: Nancy Alvord inquired about the timeline for the CIP budget. Allen will bring the South Kohala portion of the 2010-2011 draft to the next meeting. Because of time restrictions, he believed it would be best to be ready with advocacy for the 2011-2012 CIP. Waimea Community Association: It was clarified that an AC member, even speaking on his or her own behalf, may not take positions on potential agenda items if several other AC members are also present, according to Sunshine Law requirements. Date and Location for Next Meeting The meeting will be on Wednesday, March 24, 5 pm at the Waimea Senior Center. Allen Salavea will confirm availability of the meeting place. This meeting adjourned at 6:35 pm.