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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-68 PRTCPSC-AC Souza REZ Comments�ZY OF N� William P. Kenoi °�� ■�`�•�•�•�� ■ y _ ff ���Ili% ■ Mayor • ■ a ;F .��-i County of Hawaii PLANNING DEPARTMENT PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan Subcommittee Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Phone (808) 961 -8288 • Fax (808) 961 -8742 Duane Kanuha Director Bobby Command Deputy Director MEMORANDUM Communication No. 2013 -68 December 4, 2013 To: Patti Pinto, Chair and Members of the Puna CDP Action Committee From: Mark Hinshaw, Chair of the Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan Subcommittee Subject: Comments to Planning Director Regarding State Land Use Boundary Amendment (SLU 13 -039), Agricultural to Urban Change of Zone Application (REZ 13 -171), A -la to CV -20 Applicant Jerry Souza TMK: 1 -5- 007:061 The Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan Subcommittee respectfully requests your consideration and approval for transmittal to the Planning Director our enclosed comments on the subject applications. The Planning Director has requested comments on the subject applications by December 11, 2013. Encl: Draft Letter Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Y OF N� William P. Kenoi Pp-l•�•�•�� ■ y _ ff ���Ili% ■ Mayor • ■ a ;F .��-i County of Hawaii PLANNING DEPARTMENT PUNA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Phone (808) 961 -8288 • Fax (808) 961 -8742 December 10, 2013 Duane Kanuha, Director Planning Department 101 Pauahi St., Ste. 3 Hilo, HI 96720 Duane Kanuha Director Bobby Command Deputy Director Subject: State Land Use Boundary Amendment (SLU 13 -039), Agricultural to Urban County Rezoning (REZ 13 -171), A -la to CV -20 Applicant: Jerry A. Souza TMK: (3) 1- 5- 07:061 Dear Mr. Kanuha, The Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan Subcommittee has reviewed the application prepared by Mr. Souza dated October 2013. The Committee supports the application for rezoning with the following concerns that the committee would like to see addressed prior to any rezoning being granted. In Section 3, Subsection (a) Project Concept, the applicant clearly states "has and continues to make smoke sausages, meats and fish for friends and domestic use within an existing 60' x 20' (1,200 Square feet) warehouse ...... wishes to sell his goods commercially while living on the property ". Although it is not in the purview of the committee to decide what businesses can or cannot operate in the CV -20 zoning, we find that the applicant's information regarding impacts on environmental air quality and water quality lacking in detail. The applicant is in the smokehouse business and the discharge of wood smoke in the air is a major pollutant. "Wood burning releases many air pollutants, some of these are: chlorinated Dioxin, carbon monoxide, methane, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and fine particulate matter (PM 10, PM2.5). ( "A Summary of Emissions Characterizations and Non - Cancer Respiratory Effects of Wood Smoke ", Anuszewski, , Larson, , and Koenig, (1992); " "The smoke pollution particles are so small that they filter into our homes even with all the doors and windows closed. The level of indoor air pollution is typically equal to 70% of the outdoor pollution level. (The Health Effects of Wood Smoke, Washington State Department of Ecology)." The committee cannot ascertain from the application the amount of wood smoke emitted in the atmosphere currently or in the future if the commercial operation is successful. "Children's health studies document that living in homes where wood is burned, and in communities where wood smoke Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Mr. Duane Kanuha, Director Planning Department December 10, 2013 Page 2 is prevalent, the wood smoke causes decreases in lung capacity and increases in asthma attacks, frequency and severity of general respiratory illness, emergency room visits and school absences ". The committee's only interest is to make sure that the people of Pahoa and its visitors are protected from any undo effects from this operation. We would recommend that a more detailed explanation of the smoking activity be submitted as well as the type of equipment being used and what steps are being taken to limit the discharge of hazardous particulates to the atmosphere. Furthermore, the applicant states they will be installing a septic system but makes no mention whether or not there will be a an additional grease trap system installed to protect the discharge of the treated water into the ground. Respectfully, Patti Pinto, Chair Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee cc: Mr. Jerry Souza Mr. Sidney Fuke Mr. Greggor Ilagan, Council Member, District 4