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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAC Minutes 9Feb2016 FINALWilliam P. Kenoi Mayor 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 Tuesday, February 9, 2016 Meeting Minutes Duane Kanuha Director Bobby Command Deputy Director CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Patti Pinto called the Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) Action Committee (AC) to order at 3:01 p.m. in the Kea`au Community Center. The following persons were present: Action Committee: Elmer Solis, Frank Commendador, June Conant, Larry Brown, Leila Kealoha, Patti Pinto, and Susan Osborne. Farris Etterlee was absent. Staff. Hans Santiago — Puna CDP Project Manager and Keiko Mercado — Puna CDP Planning Assistant. Members of the public: 5 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: NONE ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Hans introduced and welcomed new Puna CDP Action Committee Members, Larry Brown and Frank Commendador. Larry and Frank have yet to be officially sworn in so they are unable to vote on any measures taken by the AC today, they are however, able to participate in AC discussions. 2. Hans announced Sharon Daun's resignation from the Action Committee in December 2015. She resigned after being offered an educational opportunity in another State that she could not turn down. 3. Hans also announced that the Budget Report and the Building in Puna Brochure were submitted to the Planning Department, as requested at the last AC meeting. 4. Hans informed the Action Committee that there was a flyer from the County of Hawaii Office of the Corporation Counsel included in their meeting packets. The memo is a reminder about what is prohibited campaign activity for County Employees and Boards and Commissions (Action Committee included). 5. Hans reminded the Action Committee that anyone interested in attending Sunshine Law training on Friday, March 4th, should let Keiko know as soon as possible. 6. Patti announced that there will be a planning meeting for the Puna Regional Library tonight (2/9/16), 6:00pm, at Mt. View Elementary School and tomorrow (2/10/16), 6:00pm, at the Girl Scout Service Center off of HWY 130. PUBLIC TESTIMONY: None Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Elmer moved to approve the minutes of the November 10, 2015 meeting as submitted. Second by Susan. The motion to approve the minutes as submitted passed with 5 votes aye, 0 votes nay. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC): PONC Commissioners, Rene Siracusa and Willie Meyers provided a brief background on the 2% fund. Last year, Kohala was the only area that had any submissions to PONC. Puna did not submit anything last year and Rene strongly encouraged the Action Committee to take action and submit applications this year. Suggestions discussed were lands buffering the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Puna Coast between Pohoiki and Ahalanui, Wai`ele, Hawaiian Paradise Park (I 7th St.). PONC has also now been placed in charge of selecting and managing 501C stewardship of PONC properties. They will be accepting both land applications and stewardship applications year round but reviewing them alternately. Land applications need to be submitted by June to be considered on the current year's priority list. Rene also informed the AC that the purchase of the Hara property is beginning to move forward after many unforeseen delays. For more information please contact Alexandra Kelepolo mailto:alexandra.kelepolo e,hawaiicounty_gov or visit the following website: htW: / /records.co. hawaii. hi. us /Weblink8/Browse.aspx ?dbid= l &startid =13770 2. Communication Nos. 2016 -1, 2016 -2 & 2016 -3: Connectivity and Emergency Response Subcommittee (CERS): Marlene Hapai began by noting that the PONC information provided by Rene and Willie was very helpful as CERS is considering certain parcels as linear parks alongside potential connectivity routes. Marlene pointed out the recommended Connectivity Locations on a map and shared new considerations (subcommittee minutes containing details can be downloaded by following the links below). Also included in the minutes are recommended actions based on research done by subcommittee members. The Ad hoc committee continues to meet and Councilman Ilagan and Councilman Paleka are very much on board. The next step for the subcommittee is to present the Ad hoc committee with a list of questions for Corporation Counsel. Marlene also mentioned the possibility of federal funds for highway improvements. Lastly, Resolution 351 -15 put forward by Councilman Paleka would provide right and left turn lanes into and out of HWY I I and Hawaiian Acres. At the next AC meeting, Patti will present a slideshow on Upper Puna Connectivity. Communication Nos. 2016 -1, 2016 -2 & 2016 -3 can be viewed and downloaded from the following website: htW:/ /records. co .hawaii.hi.us/WebLink8/DocView. aspx ?id =765 5 7 &dbid = l bap:/ /records. co .hawaii.hi.us/WebLink8/DocView. aspx ?id =765 5 8 &dbid = l bap:/ /records. co .hawaii.hi.us/WebLink8/DocView. aspx ?id =765 59 &dbid = l 3. Volcano Long Range Plan Subcommittee ( VLRPS): Pat Halpern and Lorna Jeyte presented the AC with a brief history of the Volcano Long -Range Plan (originally Volcano Vison 2020) and a number of questions related to moving the plan forward. They expressed frustration with the level of County involvement and requested further engagement. Top priorities for the VLRPS right now are; 1) a community wide survey and 2) a planner to help draft guidelines and ordinances. There is concern about the enforcement of grubbing and grading permit as well as efforts to prevent the continued spread of Rapid `Ohi`a Death. The main question from the VLRPS is: What are the next steps be for the VLRPS? How does the VLRP move forward? Leila shared that the State Forester is extremely overwhelmed and they are in the process of hiring an Educational Outreach Technician. There are many aspects to preventing the spread of Rapid `Ohi`a Death. Elmer shared his hope that the Building in Puna Brochure might help to educate land owners as well as large equipment operators. Larry suggested that if illegal grubbing and grading is suspected, it could be reported to the appropriate managing agency. Frank asked how the Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan came to fruition. Larry briefly explained the process and Elmer clarified that it was a community member who volunteered his services to draft the guidelines, which was tremendous help. Hans explained that the General Plan Comprehensive Update is looking at Design Guidelines from an island wide perspective rather than each individual town. Hans also recommended the VLRPS refer to the last communication from the Planning Department, as it outlines suggested next steps. He emphasized that open communication is the key and that he is always available to answer any questions the subcommittee has. Patti pointed out that the upper Puna area, Volcano in particular, is really underrepresented on the Action Committee and would love to see some applications come in from Volcano residents. Larry suggested the VLRPS look into the PONC land nominations as a way of creating a possible buffer area around the National Park. 4. Communication Nos. 2016 -5 & 2016 -6: Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan Subcommittee (PRTCPS): Elmer updated the AC on their recent activity — summarizing Communication Nos. 2016 -5 & 2016 -6. Luquin's parking lot has been appraised and is lower than was expected. Sal ( Luquin's owner) is reviewing the new appraisal and Elmer will meet with him to discuss options. Post Office Road is not considered a road -in -limbo and is being maintained by the County of Hawaii. The subcommittee continues its work to widen/improve Post Office Road. June suggested a subcommittee member go to the Planning Department and look at the old maps, it might help with determining the actual width of Post Office Road. Patti shared that there are four people who have agreed to serve on the Design Review Committee. One of those four, John McElveney, has agreed to recuse himself from any deliberations related to projects he is involved in. Draft policies and guidelines are still being reviewed by the Planning Department. Jon Olson is working on getting new signage to help direct visitors to the lava viewing area. Discussion ensued regarding the Pahoa Park, the growing population and the lava viewing area. Communication Nos. 2016 -5 & 2016 -6 can be viewed and downloaded from the following website: bap:/ /records. co .hawaii.hi.us/WebLink8/DocView. aspx ?id =765 82 &dbid = l bap:/ /records. co .hawaii.hi.us/WebLink8 /DocView. aspx ?id =765 83 &dbid= l 5. Mass Transit Subcommittee (MTS): There have been no recent MTS meetings. Councilman Danny Paleka asked the Subcommittee to submit their list of concerns relating to the Mass Transit Master Plan. June stated that the subcommittee has submitted their concerns previously but she will send Councilman Paleka an additional bulleted list. Hans confirmed that Mass Transit is going through the process of selecting a consultant and assured June that stakeholder engagement and public comment will probably be initiated at the appropriate times. 6. Town Hall Subcommittee: The subcommittee finds it very challenging to find the appropriate venue and time that would allow for dispersal of PCDP information. Discussion ensued around the possibility of having an annual outreach and the prospect of dissolving the Town Hall Subcommittee. Hans suggested that the AC continue to think about the various rolls of the different AC subcommittees as next month's agenda will have an item relating to this. 7. Budget Subcommittee: The Budget Subcommittee for FY 2016 -2017 has completed and submitted their report to the Planning Department. Hans briefly explained the process that was used by the subcommittee and suggested the FY 2016 -2017 subcommittee be dissolved. Susan requested that everyone continue to track on the progression of the budget submittals. Susie moved to dissolve the 2016 -2017 Budget Subcommittee. Second by Elmer. Motion passed with S votes aye and 0 votes nay. 8. Discussion on Forming a Permit Review Subcommittee: Patti explained that she requested this item be on the agenda for discussion. Her concern is that while the Planning Department doesn't want the AC to feel it's their responsibility to review every permit, the fact that the AC now meets every other month could prove problematic when they are asked to comment on a rezone application. Hans explained that there is always the option of holding a special meeting if review and comment are needed in between scheduled AC meetings. For example, if a rezone application comes into the Planning Department and comment can be made, based very clearly on the PCDP, no action by the AC is necessary. If the PCDP is not clear, the Chair and Vice -Chair will be asked for their review. Pending their thoughts, a special meeting could be called with the rezone as the only agenda item, allowing the AC to review and comment in a timely way. All AC members are in favor of trying this system. 9. Approval of 2016 AC Meeting Schedule: Elmer moved to approve the 2016 meeting schedule. Second by Leila. Susan and Leila will be out of town for the March 8th meeting, but there would still be quorum with the other members in attendance. Hans asked that Susan and Leila submit their requests for subcommittees prior to the March 81h meeting. November 8th is Election Day so the AC meeting will be rescheduled to November 15th. The Annual Schedule will be a living document so it will be updated as needed. Motion passed with 5 votes aye and 0 votes nay. 10. Election of Chair and Vice - Chair: After some discussion, Susan moved to postpone the election of a new Chair and Vice -Chair of the AC to the March 8th meeting. Second by Elmer. Motion passed with 5 votes aye and 0 votes nay. 11. Communication No. 2016 -4: USDA Cool & Connected Program: Patti asked the AC if this is something they would like to be involved in. The offer is to help communities take advantage of planned, new or existing broadband services. Hans and Larry are of the opinion that this means readily implementable plans, of which there are none. Leila and Susan would like to investigate and will let the AC know their findings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING: (March 8, 2016) 1. CERS Report 2. VLRPS Report 3. MTS Report 4. MVPS Report 5. PRTCPS Report 6. Election of Officers 7. AC Members Roles on Subcommittees 8. PONC Nominations ADJOURNMENT: The Chair, without objection, adjourned the meeting at 5:14 p.m.