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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-11 NKCDP Minutes Final NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE MINUTES MEETING DATE April 11, 2011 TIME 4:30 pm PLACE Kohala Senior Center, 54-3900 Akoni Pule Highway, Kapaau, Hawaii 96755 ATTENDANCE Members Present: Joe Carvalho, Marlene Ching, Hermann Fernandez, Susan Fischer, Ron Friman, Giovanna Gherardi, Collin Kaholo, Bob Martin Member excused: Richard Liebmann Planning Department: Rosalind Newlon Public Attendance: Alan Axelrod, Megan Solis, Paul Fischer, Andi Longpre, Jesse Wells, Cindy Kapp, Carl Bernhardt, John Winter, Alexandra Kelepolo, Sarah Moon, Terri Markovich, Chris Kelly, Toni Withington, Harry Ching, Tom Kapp, Marcia Carvalho, Gail Byrne, Fred Cachola APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The March 14 minutes were unanimously approved with a spelling correction to Pedersen; motion by Bob, second by Giovanna. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: none REPORTS: 1) LAND USE PERMIT ACTIVITY REPORT – Rosalind Newlon, Project Manager presented the report. Questions were raised about Ohana Permits and Additional Farm Dwellings. Rosalind provided a brief discussion on the difference between the two, and the general permitting requirements. NEW BUSINESS: 2) PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE and NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION - Commissioners Sarah Moon and Terri Markovich gave a presentation on the purpose and goals of the Commission. They are non-salaried volunteers appointed by the Mayor, and have been reviewing land since 2005. The voter-initiated program began with a 2% land fund, which is now a 1% land fund guaranteed by the County Charter. Each year they look for suggestions for lands to be purchased for open space, trails and mountains. They congratulated the people of Kohala because so far 162 acres of open space in North Kohala, in five separate parcels, have been purchased through the fund. They often get matching funds from the State Legacy Land fund and federal grants. The Mayor reviews the PONC suggestions then refers to the County Council. The deadline for new suggestions is the end of May. There is $3.58 million in the fund right now. Also present was the new Commissioner from North and South Kohala Gail Byrne. 3) OPEN OCEAN FISH FARMS - Carl Bernhardt and Tom Kapp of Kohala Ranch Community Association reported many communities along the Kohala Coast, as well as over 700 Big Island residents, have expressed their opposition, in general, to open ocean aquaculture (OOA) and, in particular, to the ahi farm proposed by Hawaii Oceanic Technology, Inc. (HOTI) to include 12 oceansphere structures and to produce 12 million pounds of ahi annually. Carl stated, while scientific, peer-reviewed research has documented numerous adverse environmental impacts of OOA, the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has not addressed the long term, cumulative impact that large OOA projects have on the environment. Being requested is for the DLNR to adopt the Precautionary Principle, or cautionary approach, and impose a moratorium on OOA, until these impacts are understood and appropriate rules and regulations have been implemented. Also being requested is for the DLNR to require a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to address significant changes in the application to the US Army Corps of Engineers, including a dramatic increase in fish density and the use of diesel powered generators producing 160 decibels (past 90 dB can cause damage, 160 dB is 64 times as loud as 90 dB). Forms of aquaculture supported include Hawaiian fish pond aquaculture, land based recirculating aquaculture, and the culturing of filter feeders, such as clams and mollusks, because these forms of aquaculture are not harmful to the environment. 4) SUBCOMMITTEE STRUCTURE Discussed later under Old Business Administrative Matters, Subcommittee restructuring 5) PROTOCOL FOR SUBCOMMITTEE PARTICIPATION - Giovanna moved if an AC member wants to attend another subcommittee, AC member contacts the subcommittee chairman seven or more days prior to the scheduled meeting, to ensure only 2 AC members attend as required under the Sunshine Law. Susan cited the Open Meetings booklet as stating the law does not prohibit discussion between board members outside of a properly noticed meeting about matters over which the board does not have supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power. Susan questioned if we are limited to 2 AC members attending the Access Subcommittee, for example, if the access group is not actually under the AC's supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power. Bob responded all subcommittee business is considered AC business. The motion, to require at least seven days advance notice for an AC member to request to attend a subcommittee meeting, was seconded by Bob and passed, with Collin opposed. 6) ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE - Rosalind is awaiting response from the Planning Department if monthly AC meetings could occur with Rosalind's support from her office, attending in person every other meeting. Amy Self also cannot attend monthly. OLD BUSINESS: 7) ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS - Subcommittee restructuring - New AC Chairman Joe Carvalho recommended new subcommittee assignments for Hermann to Growth Management, Richard to Agriculture, Bob and Ron at-large. Others to remain the same: Joe and Marlene on Access, Collin on Affordable Housing, Giovanna on Infrastructure A, Susan on Infrastructure B. Bob moved to approve, Giovanna second; motion passed unanimously. 8) COMMUNITY MEETING DISCUSSION - February 19, 2011 annual meeting Review. High points cited were the food, hula, AC member introductions and overview, subcommittee reports. Recommendations included a mid-week day meeting, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm, scheduling around a popular event or issue to increase attendance. An email notification list could be developed to update the community of monthly meetings, as well as to publicize community meetings. Bob pointed out the community meetings could be held twice a year or at intervals other than annually. Restaurants are able to provide food easiest if community meetings are held during the restaurants' typically slower seasons: early January, April and May, September through early December. 9) NKCDP Subcommittee Reports Hermann distributed copies of news articles reporting census Growth Management: results showing rates of growth in the various areas of North Kohala to be a gain of only 284 people in ten years. Bob concluded we don't have a problem at this time, but we should be vigilant. Marlene reported work is proceeding to identify a historic preservation Public Access: corridor from Hapu’u to Keokea bays. A management and stewardship plan is underway by Stephanie Naihe Laxton at Maika’i Kamakani O Kohala at Kauhola Point. State funds for purchasing the point are pending matching funds from Trust for Public Lands. Another stewardship plan is underway for the land makai of Upolu Airport in conjunction with the State Dept. of Transportation. The newly consolidated Hawaiian Island Land Trust is taking a more community-directed role in preserving important lands. Giovanna reported a meeting was held with Jim Pedersen of the Zero Infrastructure A: Waste Site Selection Committee, who reported on that group’s efforts. He also asked for advice and help with a community survey they were planning on waste site selection. Giovanna told about a successful meeting with Parks and Recreation about the deplorable restroom conditions at some of our parks. Another meeting with County officials is set for April 19. The subcommittee will be meeting with people from the Water Department to learn more about new water wells, storage and transmission lines planned for North Kohala. Electric Reliability - A follow-up request was made for a speaker from Infrastructure B: Helco as soon as results are available from an on-going Kohala electricity study. Viewplane Protection - Ke Ala 'O Kohala, or the way of Kohala, Historic/Scenic Byway application was submitted for the route between Pololu and Honokoa Gulch. Rural infrastructure - A demonstration drainage project is underway on a near shore Hawaiian Home Lands house lot. Runoff will be caught in rock drains and sediment basins. Agricultural terraces will be visible from the highway. Hermann asked which agency was the scenic byway application made to, and which agency determines building restrictions along a scenic byway? Susan answered the application was made to the State Department of Transportation and a management plan will be developed later, which we hope will include guidance on viewplane preservation. Collin reported on a variety of possible locations for affordable Affordable Housing: housing. Catholic Charity has a half acre for possibly homeless and/or transitional housing. Hawaiian Home Lands, on the north side of Honoipu landing, has four duplex homes, formerly Coast Guard Loran Station housing. New Moon Foundation land is another site where possibly a tax credit incentive could be explored to promote affordable homes on donated land. Tinguely Development, a residential lot project mauka of Kohala Nursery, has only one residence. With a combination of community involvement, State, and County assistance, tax credit, or other incentives, possibility this subdivision, or a portion, could be developed into affordable homes. Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) completed a second increment of the first phase of a two phase project in the Kamakua Self-Help housing next to Kohala High School, although there has been community concern the homes are not actually affordable. The agriculture land located to the west of Upolu airport road, and makai of Akoni Pule Highway, is good for cattle grazing or growing cattle feed, but generally has very low production soil, and requires overhead irrigation. Proposed is a zoning change for this area from agriculture to community usage for housing and relocation of the transfer station. Community Harvest Hawaii project - Andrea Dean received an $80,000 Agriculture: grant to glean fruit from properties in Kohala to feed needy families and low-income seniors in Kohala. Andrea has also secured a smaller strategic planning grant to help implement the CDP goal of 50% of the food consumed in Kohala will be grown in Kohala. Other topics discussed included the Kohala Ditch and the Hoea Ag Park. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Toni Withington thanked the AC members for their work, but expressed concerns about the future of the growth management provisions of the CDP, since both the Planning Department and Growth Management reported to the AC there were no subdivision applications in February–March. Toni displayed plans and a map the Planning Department received in February for a proposed expanded 59 lot resort subdivision at Mahukona. Toni described the project as one of the biggest developments in Kohala for 30 years, with no public airing of the Mahukona project held since 1993. Toni expressed concern about having an employee of the Mahukona developer as chairman of the subcommittee reviewing the proposal. An update of the 59 lot proposal was added to the May agenda under Growth Management. Susan pointed out the Monitoring Plan section of the CDP includes indicators to assess progress toward CDP implementation. The Growth Management section, in particular, lists numerous indicators. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Rosalind announced three applications have been received for the three upcoming AC vacancies. NEXT MEETING: Date: Monday, May 9, 2011 Place: Kohala Senior Center Time: 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Agenda: Land Use Activity Report – Rosalind Pat Moore from Helco to discuss Kohala power reliability, redundancy, and alternative sources. Bob to discuss ways for AC to cover major issues not in the CDP (25 minutes) AC meeting schedule Subcommittee Reports Report on Mahukona : There being no further business, it was moved by Ron, seconded by ADJOURNMENT Bob, and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 6:41 pm.