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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAC Minutes 14May2013William 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 Tuesday, May 14, 2013 Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Patti Pinto called the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) Action Committee (AC) meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. in the Kea "au Community Center and asked Madie Greene to assume the role of chairperson in conducting the meeting. The following persons were present: Action Committee: Madie Greene, Patti Pinto, June Conant, Dan Taylor, Farris Etterlee, and Sharon Daun. Excused absent: Keikialoha Kekipi, Rene Siracusa and Oshi Simsarian Staf£ Larry Brown, PCDP Project Manager. Members of the public: 9 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Larry introduced the members to a new form for AC members to write out any motions they wish to make. PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Five testifiers signed up to testify and all deferred their testimony until the agenda item for their testimony came up for consideration by the AC. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Dan moved to approve the minutes of the April 9, 2013 meeting as submitted. Second by June. Motion passed with 6 votes aye. NEW BUSINESS 1. Communication No. 2013 -27: Connectivity and Emergency Response Subcommittee ( CERSC) Report. Marlene Hapai updated the AC on CERSC activities since their last meeting. • Still working on emergency mapping workshops with subdivisions. • The Puna Regional Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Fair scheduled for August 31St at Kea`au High School from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Seeking sponsors to pay for event costs and reusable emergency checklist bags. Hapai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer 2. Communication No. 2013 -25: Mass Transit Subcommittee (MTSC). Marty Mimmack gave an overview of the MTSC meeting held on April 23 and requested clarification of the AC's position on the March 14, 2013 AC letter to Tiffany Kai, interim manager of the Mass Transit Agency. June Conant offered her observations on the new MTA service in HPP. Dan moved to have the MTSC meet ASAP with Mass Transit Director, Tiffany Kai. Second by June. Motion passes with 6 votes aye. 3. Communication No. 2013 -24: Request for Scholarships to Attend Hawaii Conference of Planning Officials (HCPO). Larry explained the Planning Director's memo regarding funding for CDP AC member participation in the September 2013 HCPO conference being hosted by the County of Hawaii Planning Department at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay. June moved to request the PCDP AC be considered for a discounted tuition rate for the HCPO conference. Second by Dan. Motion passed with 6 votes aye. 4. Communication No. 2012 -57: PCDP AC Comments on Application for Amendments to Special Permit Application No. 1122 (SPP 1122). Public Testimony: Michael Flynn, Kalapana Seaview Estates resident and property owner immediately adjacent to Belly Acres and a few hundred feet from S.P.A.C.E., testified against the size and scope of the activities being proposed in the requested amendments to SPP 1122. ii. Ursula Snover, Kalapana Seaview Estates resident and rental property owner, testified against the number and frequency of events proposed by the amendments to SPP 1122 and the loss of peace and quiet in their neighborhood. iii. Athena Peanut, Kalapana Seaview Estates resident, testified that she was among those that supported S.P.A.C.E.'s original Special Permit application, but now opposes the expanded activities being proposed particularly the use of amplified music, on site performances and issuance of a liquor license. iv. Kelly Finn, Kalapana Seaview Estates resident directly across the street from S.P.A.C.E., testified against on -site fundraising performances due to noise and traffic concerns impacting the neighboring Seaview residents. V. Susan Overley, Kalapana Seaview Estates resident directly across the street from S.P.A.C.E., testified that the recent cessation of events has been a welcome relief for her and asked that the expanded scope of proposed activities in the amendments be scaled back to be more in line with what was originally allowed under SPP 1122. Additional discussion by the AC ensued in which some members pointed out several unsupported assumptions, inaccuracies and deficiencies they believe are contained in the amendment application. They also noted the historical failure of Hawaii Volcano Circus, Ltd. and its related enterprises to adhere to the parameters and conditions of the original Special Permit. Members also discussed and suggested talking points for what should be discussed in the AC comment letter, including: 2 a) A critique of the PCDP references in page 17 of the application. b) The Action Committee's recognition of KAPONO as an emerging community voice in the potential formation of a village center plan for the Red Road community. c) The adverse impacts from amplified music and events. d) The credibility of the applicant. Patti moved to have Farris and Patti draft a letter to be presented at the June AC meeting for further discussion. Second by Sharon. Motion passed with 6 votes aye. 5. Communication No. 2013 -23: Planning Director's Pre - Environmental Assessment Consultation Comment Letter for Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation (HDIC) Hawaiian Paradise Park Mutual Self -Help Housing Project — Phase III. Larry explained the Director's pre - consultation comments for the EA being prepared for the proposed HDIC project. The AC should be asked to comment on the Draft EA when published. 6. Mt. View Playground Equipment Project Report. Sharon reported that the Department of Parks and Recreation would soon be publishing a request for proposals to develop the new playground next to the Mt. View Gym. She also described some of the details of the playground equipment and park upgrades being proposed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Communication No. 2013 -26: Draft Revisions to the 2013 PCDP Action Priority List. Farris gave a brief overview of the changes to the structure and information contained in the AC Priority List. He asked for any comments or suggestions for additional changes to improve the list. Farris moved to accept the reformatted priority list. Second by Sharon. Dan moved to further amend the reformatted priority list by adding a Budget Item and Notes section for each project on the revised list. Second by June. Motion passed with 6 votes aye. The motion by Farris and seconded by Sharon to accept the reformatted priority list passed with 6 votes aye. AGENDA REQUESTS FOR NEXT MEETING (June 11, 2013): 1. AC comment letter to Planning Director on application for amendments to SPP 1122 ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 5:59 p.m.