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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-02 Hearing Transcript - Kings Chapel Honokaa USE 16-062WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAII HEARING TRANSCRIPT JUNE 2, 2016 A regularly advertised hearing on the application of KINGS CHAPEL HONOKA�A (USE 16-062) was called to order at 9:55 a.m. in the County of Hawaii Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo, Hawaii with Chairman Charles Heaukulani presiding. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Charles Heaukulani, Joseph Clarkson, Donn Dela Cruz, Gregory Henkel, Donald Ikeda, and Raylene Moses. ABSENT & EXCUSED: Myles Miyasato. ALSO PRESENT: Duane Kanuha (Planning Director), J Yoshimoto (Deputy Corporation Counsel for the Windward Planning Commission), Daryn Arai (Planning Program Manager), Jeff Darrow (Staff Planner), Christian Kay (Staff Planner), and Sarah Hata-Finley (Commission Secretary). And 20 members from the public in attendance. APPLICANT: KINGS CHAPEL HONOKA`A (USE 16-062) Application for a Use Permit to allow for the conversion of an existing single family residence into a church along with related improvements and activities on 4 acres of land zoned Single Family Residential -10,000 square feet (RS -10). The subject property is situated along the mauka side of the Hawaii Belt Highway (Highway 19), directly opposite of Tex's Drive Inn in Papa`anui, Hamakua, Hawaii, TMK: 4-5-010:080. HEAUKULANL Okay, we're going to move to the second item on our agenda, Applicant: Kings Chapel Honoka`a, Use Permit 16-062. [Secretary's Note: Applicants and supporters for Item No. I were leaving the audience and room.] Okay, again, we're moving to number two on the agenda, Applicant Kings Chapel Honoka`a, application for Use Permit 16-062. Christian, good morning. KAY: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning, Members of the Commission. The next item on the agenda is a Use Permit application. Daryn, can I have you—there's something blocking the projector. Thank you very much. The subject parcel is outlined here in red. It's a four -acre parcel located in the Hamakua District of Hawaii Island; more specifically, in the Honoka`a area which is Honoka`a Town is generally located here makai of the subject parcel. EXHIBIT B For reference, we've got Hawaii Belt Road or Highway 19 running generally east -west through the slide. Also, Mauna Loa Street running generally north -south, and Old Mamalahoa Highway running parallel to Hawaii Belt Road generally running east -west as well. Tex Drive Inn commercial center is located directly makai across Highway 19 from the subject parcel. Zooming in a little bit closer, again, outlined in red here is the subject parcel. The different colors on the map indicate different zoning designations. The subject parcel and areas mauka of that are identified as Agricultural – 40 acres. To the west and east are Residential – 10,000 square feet, and, again, as I noted across Highway 19 makai of the parcel is Village Commercial – 7.5. And, again, that's where Tex's Drive Inn is located. The State Land Use Boundary Map designates the subject parcel as Urban as indicated in red. Further makai is also Urban, and that's kind of more consistent with the, with the town core of Honoka`a. Mauka of the subject parcel is designated Agricultural, and that's designated in the green color. Our General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide Map designates the subject parcel as Low Density Urban, and much of the surrounding area as indicated in the mustard color. Again, makai of that is Medium Density Urban indicated in orange and, again, more consistent with the town core for Honoka`a. Here's an aerial photograph of the subject parcel. Again, for reference, we've got Highway 19, Hawaii Belt Road, running east -west. Mauna Loa Street running north -south, and Old Mamalahoa Highway, again, running parallel generally east -west. Subject parcel's outlined in red. Some items of note. There are currently two driveway accesses—one more makai and one more mauka on the parcel. The existing single-family dwelling here is being proposed to be converted into a chapel, a church. There are some other structures on the parcel difficult to see here, but there is a gazebo associated with the church, an agricultural structure here makai of the, the building. The Applicant is proposing all parking on site with a larger parking area roughly around this area makai of the dwelling. And, there will also be handicapped parking more adjacent to the, to the dwelling as is proposed. The Applicant is requesting a Use Permit to allow the conversion of an existing single-family residence into a church along with related improvements and activities on four acres of land. The renovation and conversion of an existing 3,760 -square foot, single -story residential structure into a 2,500 -square foot chapel with the remaining space to be dedicated to office space, classrooms, and storage. The Applicant is proposing two driveway accesses from Old Mamalahoa Highway with the makai driveway accessing the larger proposed parking area and the mauka driveway accessing the proposed church and handicapped parking spaces. The Applicant is anticipating a maximum congregation of about a hundred people spread over three Sunday services between 7 a.m. and noon. The Applicant anticipates two to three evening classes during the week beginning at 7 2 EXHIBIT B p.m. which will consist of between 20 and 40 people. The Applicant also expects to host occasional church related social or spiritual gatherings, fellowship functions, meetings, and special events such as weddings, funerals, bazaars, and the like. And, finally, the Applicant is currently holding their church services at the Honoka`a High School Cafeteria, and fellowship services and classes at the Pa`auhau Community Center. All of those services would be moved to the new facility if the Use Permit is approved. Here's the Applicant's submitted site plan. Again, for reference, we've got Hawaii Belt Road now running east -west through the bottom of the slide and Old Mamalahoa Highway running against east -west toward the top of the slide. Again, the existing dwelling which is proposed to be converted; the handicapped parking area would be adjacent directly; the two driveway accesses being proposed; and the larger parking area that will be on the lawn makai of the subject parking area. Here's a view, pardon me, it's not a clinic, a view of the proposed church from Old—from Hawaii Belt Road. Sorry about the mislabeling. Again, we see the existing dwelling. This is generally the area where the Applicant is proposing his larger parking area and, again, the handicapped parking area would be here adjacent to the proposed church. Again, we're showing the gazebo that we talked about here, and the ag structure on the property, and there's also a shipping container that's being used for construction materials and tools. You can see the lower parking, pardon me, the lower driveway access. It's going to be here, and the upper one is a little bit higher. It's difficult to see from this photograph. Here is a view of the handicapped parking area and the upper left road leading toward it. Again, sorry about the lack of clarity, but this will be a paved parking area for handicapped stalls, and the Applicant will be providing a wheelchair accessible ramp up to the church. Here's another view from Old Mamalahoa Highway looking at the proposed larger parking area which will, again, will be makai of the proposed church. Here's a view of Old Mamalahoa Highway looking mauka. You can see the lower driveway access here, and the upper driveway access here, and a little bit of the proposed chapel. Here's a view of Old Mamalahoa Highway looking makai. Again, this is that upper driveway here on the left. The subject parcel is to the left. The Planning Director is recommending approval with conditions of this application. There is one factual correction that I would like to make on the record. On Page 4 of your Recommendation Report, when we were discussing our rationale for requiring paving of the parking area for the church, I indicated that the Honoka`a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was about two miles to the east, and it was approved via a Special Permit in 1988. That is incorrect. In fact, it was built in 1969. It's about a third of a mile to the east, and any, any church built before 1984 could be built with just a Plan Approval. In any case, the analysis stays the same. They were required to provide paved parking as well, but I just wanted to correct that on the record, and it will be changed in the Recommendation Report. 3 EXHIBIT B With that, I am complete with my, my presentation. I'm happy to answer any questions that the Commission may have. HEAUKULANL Commissioners, any questions? CLARKSON: I do have a question. HEAUKULANL Commissioner Clarkson. CLARKSON: The—could you go back to the conversion to a chapel or church? KAY: Okay. CLARKSON: The renovation and the conversion, yeah. Now, this, tome indicates that the building will be used for a church with the remaining space dedicated to office space, classrooms, and storage. KAY: Correct. CLARKSON: But, a letter from the Applicant's consultant, Sidney Fuke, indicates that it's going to remain as a residence. KAY: Okay, thank you for checking on that. There was some clarification with the Applicant and the representative after that letter was, was sent to us. I picked up on that as well and wanted to clarify. None of the new church will be used for residential uses. It will all be just for church uses, yeah. CLARKSON: Thank you. HEAUKULANL You have a question? CLARKSON: I do have another question. HEAUKULANL Sure. CLARKSON: Regarding the driveways, if you could go back to them. Yeah, whatI see that the mauka driveway goes down to the new, larger parking area and then loops up to the handicapped area. KAY: Correct. CLARKSON: What is the reason, well, is there a reason why that driveway is insufficient to serve both areas? And, the reason I bring this up is that I live in that area. I've seen flash floods, 4 EXHIBIT B and I'm concerned about the driveway crossing the waterway that has a culvert onto the property and a culvert under the Belt Highway, that driveway there that you're—yeah. KAY: Okay, yeah, well basically, we went based on the Applicant's request to use both driveways. Through the Plan Approval process, they will be required to do a drainage study and also when they build the paved driveways, our understanding from Public Works is that we're required to have those driveways be engineered. CLARKSON: Yeah, okay, thank you. KAY: Thank you. HEAUKULANL And, Christian, just to follow up, you had made the revision to the factual portion of the Recommendation Report, but that doesn't change any of the proposed conditions. KAY: No, sir. HEAUKULANL Okay. Commissioners, any other question for Christian? Thank you, sir. Will the Applicant or the Applicant's representative please come forward? Good morning, gentlemen. If you would please both raise your right hand, and do you swear or affirm to tell the truth on this matter now before the Planning Commission? FUKE: Yes, I do. AKAU: Yes, sir. HEAUKULANL Good morning. You know the rules better than I so if you would both when you do speak, please speak into the microphone. State your name at the beginning of your presentation, tell us where you're from, and what's on your mind. FUKE: Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Commission. My name is Sidney Fuke. I'm a planning consultant. I'm here assisting Kings Chapel in this Use Permit application. My address is Hilo, Hawaii, actually 100 Pauahi Street. AKAU: Good morning, Chairman. HEAUKULANL Good morning. AKAU: Morning team. Praise God. I'm Pastor Dan Akau. First name Damien. I represent Kings Chapel in Honoka`a. I reside on Waipio Road in Honoka`a Town. Thank you. Good morning. HEAUKULANL Good morning. Thank you for being here. Did you have anything you wanted to add or? 5 EXHIBIT B FUKE: Yes, just to answer some of the questions that Commissioner Clarkson had raised. I was kind of like actually mistaken on the, on the combined use of the dwelling for both the parsonage as well as the chapel. That was kind of my understanding in the beginning when I spoke to, initially to Pastor Akau. Then subsequently, you know, it was clarified that in fact he's gonna live where he lives, currently lives, and use that exclusive—you know, use the existing residence exclusively as a chapel. And, so, there's not going to be any seven-day habitable activities on the property. You asked the question about the driveway accesses? Yes, currently, there are two driveway accesses serving the property. He has not necessarily finalized it as far as like where the primary access leading to the proposed parking area would be, whether it would come in from the makai section, you know, the lower section or the mauka section. More than likely, it would be the mauka section because as you accurately pointed out, there is that floodway that bisects a portion of the property, and although there's a culvert at that particular area, that culvert is made more for pedestrians much more for than automobiles. So, if they decide to use the makai driveway, then obviously at that culvert would have to be improved and that's a cost item that they're gonna have to weigh. Nevertheless, as the staffs proposed condition reads right now, any driveway access would be subject to the approval of the Department of Public Works. So, I think you saw in the photo that one of the driveways has some graveled area, and Public Works would probably require that the apron be paved. Aside from that, Mr. Chairman, I think the Applicant has, has had an opportunity to read the staff s report which as always is accurate and has reviewed the proposed conditions and found them to be acceptable. HEAUKULANL Very good. Thank you. Commissioners, anyone have any questions for the Applicant or Mr. Fuke? Thank you, sir. FUKE: Thank you. HEAUKULANL There is no one presently signed up to testify on this matter. Is there anyone here that would like to be heard on this agenda matter? Hearing none, Commissioners, could I get a motion to close the public testimony portion of this proceeding? MOSES: I make a motion to close public testimony. HEAUKULANL Thank you, Commissioner Moses. HENKEL: Second. HEAUKULANL And a second, Commissioner Henkel. Commissioners, there's been a motion to close public testimony. All those in favor signify by saying aye. 6 EXHIBIT B COMMISSIONERS: Aye. HEAUKULANL Any opposition? Public testimony is closed. Commissioners, I would entertain a motion for action on this agenda item. MOSES: I move that the application for Use Permit, Docket No. 16-062, be approved based on the Planning Director's findings, recommendation, and proposed conditions, which shall be adopted. HEAUKULANL Thank you. CLARKSON: Second. HEAUKULANL I'm sorry. Commissioner Clarkson? Okay, we've got a motion by Commissioner Moses; a second by Commissioner Clarkson. Any discussion, Commissioners? Hearing none, Christian, you can call the roll, please. KAY: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Commissioner Moses? MOSES: Aye. KAY: Commissioner Clarkson? CLARKSON: Aye. KAY: Commissioner Dela Cruz? DELA CRUZ: Aye. KAY: Commissioner Henkel? HENKEL: Aye. KAY: Commissioner Ikeda? IKEDA: Aye. KAY: And, Mr. Chair. HEAUKULANL Aye. KAY: Okay, thank you. Motion carries six, nothing. HEAUKULANL Thank you, gentlemen. You'll get our formal decision in the mail in writing. Thank you for being here. Aloha. 7 EXHIBIT B AKAU: Thank you very much. The discussion ended at 10:12 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Sarah Y. Hata-Finley, Secretary Windward Planning Commission EXHIBIT B