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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-25-2010 SKCDP AC Minutes 1 Meeting of South Kohala CDP Action Committee October 25, 2010 Waikoloa Village Association Meeting Room Committee Members Present: Mike Fischer, Robin Inaba, Leonard Librizzi, Jeannie Palermo, Absent: Achahn Schulze, Fran Tabor. Nancy Alvord, Margaret Horwatt. Others: Project Manager Allen Salavea; Members of the Public. The meeting began at 5:10 pm. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC There were no statements from the public. Approval of Minutes Minutes from the meeting of September 27, 2010, were approved without modification as distributed to the Committee members in advance of the October meeting. REPORTS 1) SK CDP Action Committee Vacancy Allen Salavea advised the Committee members that John Hoover had not yet been sworn in as a member of the Action Committee. He also indicated that Jeannie Palermo would be leaving the Committee in February 2011, and that he anticipated filling the vacancy created by her departure from the applicants who had been considered for the opening on the Committee that was being filled by the appointment of John Hoover. 2) Land Use Permit Activity Report Allen then discussed the land use permit activity reports that had been distributed to the Committee members. He responded to several questions from Committee members regarding the reports and it was agreed that the November 2010 meeting agenda would include an item calling for a discussion of the procedures whereby the Committee could submit comments to the Director of the Planning Department on selected land use permit applications. It was suggested that the Committee review the procedure that had been established for the submission of such comments by the North Kohala CDP Action Committee. 3) Liaison Report from Various Meetings and Events Leonard Librizzi reported that he had attended a meeting of the Kawaihae Local Resource Council at 2 which there were discussions of the expansion of military troop training on the Big Island, the status of repair work to be effected on the western end of the Saddle Road, and the plans of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands regarding the Kawaihae area. He noted that the military has no plan to extend the runways at the military base, a modification that would be necessary if troops were to fly directly into the base instead of arriving on the Big Island by sea transit through the Kawaihae area. Leonard also advised the Committee that the Department of Hawaiian Homelands has no date set for development of its lands in the Kawaihae area due to economic conditions and questions concerning the adequacy of water availability. Leonard also reported that he had attended a transportation conference sponsored by Hawaii Island Workforce and Economic Development Ohana (HIWEDO) and Hawaii County Mass Transit. He indicated that a study had been conducted to identify locations and requirements for bus stops and the steps necessary to ensure pedestrian safety, including a need for sidewalks. He related the study and the discussion at the conference to the efforts of the Waikoloa Subcommittee concerning the development of a shuttle bus system for the Waikoloa area. Leonard also reported attending a geothermal energy conference, at which it was noted that approximately 30% of the Big Island’s energy needs are met by geothermal energy from Puna, and that there are discussion to tap into geothermal energy in the Hualalai area. Several Committee members indicated that their reports regarding meetings attended would be covered in their Subcommittee reports. 4) Subcommittee Reports and Updates Kawaihae - Leonard Librizzi indicated that his report regarding meetings attended set forth all information regarding the Kawaihae Subcommittee activities. Waimea - Fran Tabor reported on developments concerning the trails and greenways project in Waimea. She stated that she had discussed the project with State Representative Cindy Evans and focused on two issues, one being the proposed removal of approximately 350 trees, and the other being the need for a bridge to be constructed between Parker Ranch pastureland and the Lalamillo Farms area which may run afoul of a 1,000 foot spacing condition that had been contemplated. She indicated that she will speak with former County Councilman Leningrad Elarionoff regarding easements already procured for the trail way. Robin Inaba then reported that the Waimea Planning and Design Review Committee was reviewing permit applications in a procedure that had been established with the Planning Department and suggested that the Committee consider whether CDP considerations should be made a part of that review. The Design Review Committee has asked the Planning Department for clarification of the precise role it is to play in conducting such reviews and it was suggested that Robin introduce CDP considerations into the process as long as she is a member of the Design Review Committee. She also suggested that the Waikoloa Subcommittee inquire as to whether the Waikoloa Village Association wishes to establish a similar arrangement with the Planning 3 Department. Mike Fischer stated that he would discuss the question with Jim Albone, President of the Waikoloa Village Association. It was agreed that Robin and Mike would contact the Director of the Planning Department to discuss the best procedure for the several communities in the South Kohala district to participate in such a review process for each such community. Puako - Jeannie Palermo then discussed a meeting in the Puako community that she had attended at which there was a presentation regarding the One Puako Bay project. The property is to be built as a training center. At the meeting, there also was a presentation by NOAA regarding a marine quality management plan that provides among other things for construction of a visitor center. Waikoloa - Mike Fischer then reported regarding a Waikoloa community talk story that had focused on the implementation efforts regarding the South Kohala Community Development Plan. The meeting was attended by Councilman Pete Hoffmann, Bobby Command (Executive Assistant to the Mayor), Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd (Director of the Planning Department) and a representative of the Department of Housing and Community Development who discussed the affordable housing project in Waikoloa. In addition, there had been an extensive presentation by Rob Wessels, Managing Partner of the ‘Aina Le’a project, and members of his team. Mike noted the presence at the Action Committee meeting of Mr. Wessels and another member of the ‘Aina Le’a team and introduced them. At the talk story meeting, Mike had discussed efforts regarding the shuttle bus service for the Waikoloa area and efforts to begin master planning for parks and recreation facilities in the Waikoloa area, and had emphasized the need for community support if any such efforts were to be successful. Achahn Schulze then stated that he would contact the Department of Housing and Community Development to follow up regarding the use of the two acre lot in the affordable housing development in Waikoloa that had been the subject of a presentation at an earlier Committee meeting. District Wide - Mike Fischer indicated that he and Achahn Schulze will be meeting with Councilman Pete Hoffmann to discuss strategies for the introduction of legislation called for in the South Kohala CDP. It was noted that information regarding a proposed offshore fish farming project had been distributed to Committee members and a question was raised as to whether the Committee wished to comment on the proposal. Robin Inaba and Leonard Librizzi both spoke about the project and information they had gathered concerning the proposal and both were favorably impressed with project and felt it was consistent with the CDP and in the best interests of the South Kohala district. Robin referred to the environmental impact study for the project and Leonard noted that there had been little or no reasonable opposition to the plan raised by the population of the South Kohala district. Committee members were then reminded to identify projects in the CDP that might be included in the next CIP on behalf of the area represented by their respective Subcommittees. 4 OLD BUSINESS 5) Operating Guidelines Allen Salavea reported that the Operating Guidelines adopted by the Committee had not been reviewed by counsel. Mike Fischer noted that the Guidelines had been adopted in accordance with applicable governing law to the knowledge of the Committee members and thus were effective unless and until it was established that the Guidelines were invalid for some reason. With that in mind, Mike suggested that the election of a successor Chairman be placed on the agenda for either the December or January Committee meeting and it was agreed that the election would be held at the December meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS Allen Salavea reminded the Committee members that a representative of Five Mountains Hawaii, a charitable foundation, would be making a presentation at the November Committee meeting. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Bette Green suggested that the Waikoloa Subcommittee make an effort to assist in procuring a permanent library site for the construction of a library in Waikoloa. She indicated that Richard Burns, the state librarian, would be in Waikoloa to meet with interested parties, at 12:30 p.m. on November 18, and invited the Waikoloa Subcommittee members to meet with Mr. Burns. DATE, TIME AND LOCATION OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be on Monday, November 22, at 5:00 p.m. at the meeting room in the Waikoloa Community Association offices. It was agreed that the December meeting will be held on Monday, December 20, at 5:00 p.m. in Waimea. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. * * * * *