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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-14 NKCDP Minutes Final NORTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE MINUTES MEETING DATE February 14, 2011 TIME 4:30 pm PLACE Kohala Senior Center, Akoni Pule Highway, Kapaau, Hawaii 96755 ATTENDANCE 1. Members Present: Joe Carvalho, Marlene Ching, Hermann Fernandez, Susan Fischer, Ron Friman, Giovanna Gherardi, Collin Kaholo, Richard Liebmann, Bob Martin 2. Planning Department: Allen Salavea 3. Public Attendance: Linda Wallach, Elizabeth Markon, Andi Longpre, Toni Withington, John Winter, Sophie Schweitzer, Howard Olsen, Carol Ann Olsen, Doug Hinkle APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Minutes approved. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: none NEW BUSINESS: Sherman Warner, President of the Waimea Community Association gave a presentation on how the WCA deals with land use issues. A Waimea Design Plan was adopted by the County in 1986. It is a simple version of the current CDP and deals with the preservation of farm, ranch and agricultural land. The Planning Department has developed procedures on how to interact with the Design Committee to insure community input. This also includes light industrial land. The Planning Department sends out a packet of applications to the Design Committee. They are limited to a 30 day turnaround time to review, obtain community input and submit their recommendations. Since they are not governed by the Sunshine Law, they can set up a variety of meetings, though the 30 day limit is sometimes inadequate and can prevent a comprehensive review of all the issues. The end results can be impacted by the applicants’ willingness or unwillingness to work with them. Richard asked how they deal with special permits and zoning. Sherm said the Planning Commission gets the WCA input from the Planning Department and the Design Committee can testify at the Planning Commission meetings. The Design Committee was established to look at a wider range of land use issues and the Planning Department has been flexible with the timeline. The public is informed by announcements at the WCA meetings, through emails and on the WCA website. Ron asked how the WCA works with the South Kohala Action Committee and the response was…”we don’t” given that the AC covers more than Waimea. Richard asked about membership. Any resident of Waimea can be a member of the WCA. At the January annual meeting, the general membership elects four Board Officers. The four Officers elect as many as seven additional Board members, as well as a Design Committee. Bob asked if Pete Hoffmann supports the Design Committee. Sherm said ‘yes’ and the WCA consults with Pete on a regular basis. One member of the South Kohala AC is a member of the Design Committee. OLD BUSINESS: Planning Department Land Use Permit Review Timelines: Allen asked if anyone had questions regarding the protocols and timelines. Richard stated they were not as clear as he would like them to be. He also stated that it is difficult to receive the needed information on rezoning, special use permits and 90 day permits. The Planning Department is trying to be more flexible, although the public notice procedure cannot be streamlined due to all the requirements for public notification. Restructuring: Amy Self informed Bob that she checked with the State and there is no leeway around the Sunshine Law. Pete is not willing to ask the County Council to revise the code to allow the AC to operate outside the Sunshine Law. Richard wondered about operating similar to the Waimea and Hilo Design Committees. Hermann stated we need the backing of the Planning Department and they are currently willing to work with us. Giovanna suggested we remain as currently structured and use the investigatory subcommittees as needed. Collin is concerned that “nothing is coming down from the Planning Department”. Richard is “frustrated with the lack of timely responses and the lack of relevant information”. The AC agreed to remain as currently structured. Succession Planning: Regarding new AC member applications, Allen has posted the information on the website and the application process closes March 11. Joe accepted the nomination to assume the role of Chairperson. Richard accepted the nomination for vice chair and Susan accepted the role of recorder on a month to month basis, with hopes that someone from the public will step forward to assist the AC with recording. . These positions become effective at our March meeting. The nominations were moved, seconded and unanimously approved. Proposed Website: Nothing new to report. Annual Report: There will be no annual report NKCDP Subcommittee Reports Growth Management: Hermann discussed the issue of important agriculture land (IAL) that was mandated by the Mayor’s Commission, although there is no funding available for this work. He wondered what our role is given the IAL program involves many State and County departments plus landowners. Bob suggested that the Mayor’s advisory committee was a meeting to discuss the top three priorities and we were waiting to see if the Mayor’s Committee recommended IAL as the top three recommendations. Public Access: The Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission of the County named the Hapu'u to Kapanaia Cultural Corridor to its current priority list for purchase with Open Space funds. The community and County will be working with land owners to purchase 7 shoreline parcels between Hapu'u and Kapanaia bays. Kohala non-profit Maika'i Kamakani 'O Kohala is working with Trust for Public Lands (TPL) on additional funding to match recommended State funds and a management plan for Kauhola Point in order to purchase 28 acres of coastal land. Road easements at Upolu: the County accepted the public access to Mo'okini Heiau thru the mauka cinder road. The old jeep road along the coastline from Upolu airport could be used for controlled community access. Joe and Toni will schedule a meeting with DLNR, County, and Parker and other stakeholders in the area. Two of the last three southern lots at Kaiholena have been approved for purchase by the State Land Legacy Preservation Commission. Infrastructure B: Susan reported progress on the Scenic Byway application. Discussions on the theme and the extent of the byway are nearly resolved. Rural infrastructure efforts include monthly hikes by residents of Kohala Estates & Kailapa Hawaiian Homelands, studying drainage methods aimed at reducing sediment eroding into the ocean. A demonstration project of sedimentation ponds or retention basins is now available for viewing at Kohala Estates. In the year 2000, 24 basins were graded on 28 acres. A lot of sediment has been captured, with no basin maintenance required. At Pua Mau Botanic Garden, basins are being planned to replace two required drywells. A related project above Kawaihae is the Pelekane Bay Watershed Restoration Project, funded with 2.9 million in stimulus funds for erosion control, including fencing, sediment dams of mesh fabric with native seeds, and tree planting. Affordable Housing: Collin reported that the County has issued a new 2011 packet for Affordable Housing. He is exploring block grants and funding, will identify potential contractors and write up a proposal with specifics for affordable housing in our community. Infrastructure A: Giovanna presented the boat ramp polling results and moved that the subcommittee recommends this project to be submitted as a CIP. The motion was seconded. Bob suggested that before a CIP occurs, that we need to work with the County, especially Bob Fitzgerald to identify where they are at and what direction they are considering. Giovanna’s motion was withdrawn and a motion was made that the Infrastructure Subcommittee meet with Bob Fitzgerald to seek past, present and future plans regarding a boat ramp. The motion was seconded and unanimously carried. Joe will notify the Planning Department about our next steps. Giovanna will set up a meeting with Bob Fitzgerald, Joe and members of the subcommittee. Susan expressed concern for swimmers. Collin stated that a boat ramp would work at Mahukona because it would be built in the area housing the current pavilion. John Winter stated that we cannot separate public restrooms, boat ramp and park improvements. COMMUNITY MEETING: Final details were reviewed and Bob walked us through the agenda. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Toni discussed the timeline for land use issues and that timing is the key element in getting the information to the Planning Commission. NEXT MEETING Date: Monday, March 14, 2011 Place: Kohala Senior Center Time: 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Agenda: Administrative Matters Land Use Activity Report – Allen, Hermann and Richard Subcommittee Reports Community Meeting Debrief ADJOURNMENT – there being no further business, it was moved, seconded and unanimously approved that the meeting be adjourned at 7:00 pm.