HomeMy WebLinkAboutAC-PD SPP 13-150 Diamond CommentsWilliam P. Kenoi
Mayor
County of Hawaii
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
BJ Leithead Todd
Director
Margaret Masunaga
Deputy Director
PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone (808) 961 -8288 • Fax (808) 961 -8742
April 10, 2013
BJ Leithead Todd
Planning Director
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Subject: Special Permit Application (SPP 13- 000150)
Applicant: Rodney and Lorrie Diamond
Request: To Allow the Establishment of a Baseyard for a Drilling Company with
Related Improvements
Tax Man Kev: 1 -5- 017:112
Dear Ms. Leithead Todd,
For your consideration, the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) Action Committee has grave
concerns regarding this application and offers the following comments. We understand the applicant
proposes the establishment and operation of drilling company baseyard, with related improvements, on
the subject property.
Sections of the Puna CDP that we believe are relevant to the proposed use and activity include:
Sec. 3.1.3.c.2) Facilitate land use entitlements and other tools for the development of
existing and future village /town centers and special design districts by recommending denial of
applications for zone changes for commercial or light industrial use on sites that are not within
designated village /town centers.
Sec. 5.2.4 Industrial Zoning
This section identifies the demand for light industrial sites, including contractor baseyards, in
addition to the existing industrial zoned areas at Shipman Business Park and the former Puna
Sugar Mill in Kea`au, and directs that further industrial development should occur on the sites
currently designated in the General Plan LUPAG map plus three other locations. Among those
three other locations is the area along 33rd street in Hawaiian Paradise Park from Maku`u drive
going toward Kea`au. Several Special Permits have previously been granted for light
industrial /baseyard type uses in this area.
Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
BJ Leithead Todd, Director
Diamond SPP 13 -150
April 10, 2013
Page 2
Additionally, the Land Use element of the Hawaiian Paradise Park Master Plan (September 2005) also
identifies the above referenced section of 33rd street and one of the 20 -acre parcels at 14th and Kaloli
Drive for light industrial use.
In view of the above and the fact that the subject property is situated within one of the most densely
developed neighborhoods in HPP, we are extremely concerned with the potential for adverse impacts
from the storage and use of hazardous materials, flammables and biohazards, as noted in the
application. The approval of this application and the precedent it would perpetuate might adversely
affect implementation of the village center concept which is central to the land use strategy of the Puna
CDP. Therefore, we strongly urge you to forward the subject application to the Windward Planning
Commission with a negative recommendation for approval.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this application and your consideration of our mana`o.
Respectfully,
Patti Pinto, Chair
Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee