2010-11-10 Windward Planning Commission Minutes

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WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAIÒI MINUTES November 10, 2010 The Windward Planning Commission met in regular session at 9:07 a.m. in the County of HawaiÒi Councilroom, County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HawaiÒi with Chairman Rell Woodward presiding. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Rell Woodward, Dean Au, Takashi Domingo, Wallace Ishibashi, and Zendo Kern. STAFF PRESENT: Gerald Takase (Deputy Corporation Counsel), BJ Leithead Todd (Planning Director), Daryn Arai (Planning Program Manager), Jeff Darrow (Staff Planner) and Maija Cottle (Staff Planner). ABSENT AND EXCUSED: Stephen Ono The Chair introduced the staff and Windward Planning Commissioners to the public and described the procedures to be followed for todayÓs meeting. The Commission took the following item up at 9:07 a.m. with approximately 23 people from the public in attendance: APPLICANT: GERALD KODAMA TRUST (REZ-10-130) Application for a Change of Zone from Agricultural 3-acre (A-3a) to Residential and Agricultural-1-acre (RA-1a) zone district for approximately 2.73 acres of land. The property is located on the north side of Lama Street, approximately 440 feet east of the Lama Street-Awa nd Street intersection, Panaewa House Lots, 2 Series, Waikea, South Hilo, HawaiÒi, TMK: 2-2-51:15. Mr. Darrow oriented the Commission and the public of the subject and surrounding properties on the location map and site plan, summarized the request, and noted the Planning Director recommended approval of the application with conditions. He pointed out that all the structures on the property are permitted. Commissioner Domingo said for quite some time he felt the County should start looking into the possibility of creating urban zoning in the Hilo area to provide for residential uses; and he thought this was in the right direction. In response to Commissioner DomingoÓs inquiry, Ms. Leithead Todd said generally because the land is State Land Use Urban and Low Density Urban on the General Plan rezoning requests similar to this would be favorably received. She felt this area was probably one of the more appropriate areas on the island for residential development because of the existing road network wherein if something happens on the main highway there would be other ways out of the subdivision