HomeMy WebLinkAboutSUB July 12 2011 minutes KAUAI PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE MEETING
July 12, 2011
The regular meeting of the Planning Commission Subdivision Committee was called to order by
Chair Jan Kimura, at 8:30 a.m. at the Lihue Civic Center, Mo'ikeha Building, in Meeting Room
2A-213. The following Committee members were present:
Ms. Camilla Matsumoto
Mr. Jan Kimura
Mr. Hartwell Blake
Discussion of the meeting, in effect, ensued:
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
On motion made by Camilla Matsumoto and seconded by Jan Kimura,to approve
the agenda, motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
MINUTES—MEETING OF APRIL 26, 2011 and May 24, 2011
On motion made by Camilla Matsumoto and seconded by Jan Kimura,to approve
meeting minutes of 4/26/11 and 5/24/11, motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
GENERAL BUSINESS MATTERS
Transmittal of Agriculture Master Plan, pursuant to Condition No. Le of the Tentative
Approval Letter dated June 23, 2010, relating to 3-lot boundary adjustment within the
Agriculture (A) & Open (0) zoning districts, Subdivision Application No. S-2010-08, Tax Map
Key: (4) 2-5-001:001, 009 & 010, Lawa`i=Enrico Santielli Jr. Trust/Scott F. Schweiker
Trust/Rozer M. &Judy Peckenpauzh.
Staff Planner Dale Cua: Just a little bit of background in regards to item A.1, it is a
subdivision application for a 3-lot boundary adjustment. Basically it is a proposal to redefine the
boundaries between 3 existing properties for a property in Lawa`i on the mauka side Kaumuali`i
Highway. Because the property is situated within the State Land Use Agriculture District and
the County zoning is Ag. and Open it was imposed a requirement that they prepare an Ag.
Master Plan to demonstrate compliance with Chapter 205 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. I
have quoted the condition as part of the report here and basically the requirement, the condition
requires the applicant to submit an Ag. Master Plan for the Subdivision Committee's review and
acceptance unless you have any questions, related questions, the applicant is here to answer
them.
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Mr. Blake: Just a simple question, on the map that depicts the agricultural plan for the
(inaudible) subdivision I can locate avocados, what I think are the bromeliads which are at the
top of the map.
Unidentified Speaker: That is correct.
Mr. Blake: The mangos, but I don't see where the bananas are.
Mr. Roger Peckenpaugh: My name is Roger Peckenpaugh. The bananas fall mostly on
lot 203(A) approximately in the middle right, I would say the lower right corner along the
highway.
Mr. Blake: Where the mangos are?
Mr. Peckenpaugh: Correct, in that area there, there is a small valley there that would be
suitable for that.
Mr. Blake: Just out of curiosity how many bananas are you going to have?
Mr. Peckenpqp& It is approximately 75 clumps or mats.
Mr. Blake: Thank you.
Chair: Any other questions? What does the Commission want to do?
Ms. Matsumoto: Move to accept the Agriculture Master Plan, Tax Map Key 2-5-
001:001, 009 & 010, Princeville.
Staff: There should be a correction, it should be Lawa`i.
Mr. Blake: Second.
Chair: All in favor, so moved.
On motion made by Camilla Matsumoto and seconded by Hartwell Blake, to accept
Agriculture Master Plan, motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
COMMUNICATIONS
There were no communications.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
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NEW BUSINESS
Tentative Subdivision Action: 5-2011-19 =Halale`a Investment Company LLC/Patricia
Wilcox Sheehan, 4-lot Consolidation , TMK: 5-5-10:66, 68, 69, 81, Hanalei, Kauai.
Staff. Thank you Mr. Chair. What you have before you is a proposal to consolidate four
existing lots into a single lot. As noted in the subdivision report the property is split zoned, the
front portion of the property is the area that is within the Commercial zoning district, the
remaining are that is adjacent to the Commercial area is all within the Open zoning district. The
subdivision map has been routed to the various reviewing agencies for their review and
comment. Their conditions have been incorporated into the subdivision report, as a result the
department is recommending tentative subdivision approval of this application.
Chair: I might be blind but where is lot 69? Here it is, okay.
Mr. Blake: Where is lot 81?
Staff. The property that we know as parcel 81 and tax map key is actually lot 128 that is
on the map.
Mr. Blake: I had another question. It says that the intent of the proposal is to provide a
buildable area for each of the lots.
Staff. Just buildable area for the lot. The word each should be taken out.
Mr. Blake: And we are consolidating these four lots.
Staff. Four lots into one.
Mr. Blake: So you need buildable for one lot or you need four building envelopes?
Staff: Maybe we could address that particular question to the applicant just to identify
the intentions with the consolidation. The applicant is here.
Chair: I have another question. We have all the agency comments already? I don't see
the DOT checked off here.
Staff. DOT, that is why I put a requirement as condition Lb that they go ahead and
resolve with DOT whether a reserve or an area for dedication be dedicated to the State Highways
Division.
Chair: Any questions for the applicant?
Mr. Blake: Did you hear my question?
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Mr. Keola Sheehan: Yes, I am Keola Sheehan for the applicant and I have Brian
Hennessey from engineering who is our Civil Engineering consultant. With regards to your
question as to the purpose is basically what we are trying to do or will be coming before you
again is for redevelopment of the commercial portion which is about a little over a half acre right
along the highway. When we first sat down to sort of come up with a plan as to the best way to
do it, in meeting with the Planning Department it was through a project development process
because of the way the lots are, lot lines run for these four particular TMK's, they are sort of
long and thin. And in order to plan for the most esthetically pleasing development without
having to cross and be subject to lot lines, etc., we were going to move forward with a project
development. After completing the traffic study, flora and fauna study, archeological study,
wetland study and all of that there was sort of a last minute interpretation as to the amount of
density that would be allowed and lot coverage which took us below the threshold to meet that
project development process.
So the strategy was to then go ahead and consolidate all four parcels in to one, and create
one large parcel and sort of utilize all of the lot coverage and move it basically to the commercial
portion and the parking that is going to be required. And basically what we are going to end up
with is about two acres of development and 21 acres of open space all in the back including all of
the areas that consist of most of the area of TMK 81 which has two fish ponds, awais,
waterways, all sorts of stuff on it. So all will be well outside of the proposed redevelopment area
so that is the reason we are moving forward with the consolidation process.
Chair: What is going to happen with the taro wagon and the shave ice wagon?
Mr. Sheehan: Hopefully they are going to be put into a new structure. Basically we are
going to try and put a building along the front there and get everybody out of their little
temporary wagons and into something that is a more permanent structure. And like I say this is
just part one, we will be before you again with the actual project redevelopment plan once we get
all the conditions of the consolidation figured out. This is just sort of part A I guess.
Mr. Blake: So if you are able to come up with a development plan for the commercial
portion how many of the four permitted residences for want of a better word would be taken by
the commercial portion?
Mr. Sheehan: We haven't done the final calculation but basically what we are proposing
is as you can see back in lot A, follow all the way back, there is an existing dwelling and a
storage, it would basically to rebuild the existing, I think what we are going to be proposing is
the existing dwelling and one additional so two total one of which exists out the four. And when
we had first started this the density we came up with was 16 single family residents and I think
we allotted 2,500 square feet a piece and we were going to use that lot coverage in the
commercial. Most of it is going to get eaten up with the parking requirement basically. That is
where we are going to be burning up allowable lot coverage so two single family residents at the
end of the day, one existing and one additional.
Mr. Blake: And those two are here right now?
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Mr. Sheehan: One is a dwelling and one is a storage. They would be pulled back a little
bit further away from the river actually, more up the asphalt driveway as you see it on the map,
would be the location of the storage. Been getting wet lately,November got a little bit wet a
couple years ago. That is the plan and Brian can answer any technical questions I guess, that is
what he is here for. If I can address a couple of the conditions, is that possible?
Chair: Sure.
Mr. Sheehan: One would be under the Planning Department, Le, it would be our intent
in the future to although one ingress and egress or one in and out is fine we would like the right
to relocate it because it may not be where it currently exists.
Staff. I think the most appropriate way to address it is at the time the project is actually
developed but what we could do is coordinate the egress/ingress point at the time that second
phase of their development plan comes in. The intent is to allow access onto Kuhi`o Highway
and limit it just to one single area. At the present time it is where it is right now but at such time
you come in with plans to further develop the property we can actually coordinate at that point in
time.
Chair: Is that acceptable to you guys?
Mr. Sheehan: Yes that is fine.
Chair: You can work out with them?
Mr. Sheehan: Yes, sounds good.
Staff. Between us and actually DOT.
Chair: Any more questions for the applicant?
Ms. Matsumoto: Are there other conditions?
Mr. Sheehan: No. The other was the Historic Preservation comment of a skeletal remain
being found under the project area. That is a new one to me, I was not aware of that but there is
definitely a lot of surrounding properties where some have been found so maybe they are
misconstruing where it is. But I just wanted to add the comment that we have already prepared
an archeological inventory survey which didn't show a skull right under the proposed area. We
haven't submitted it to DLNR yet because the project was changing as apposed to it was done
under the P.D. format, project development format and now that we are doing the consolidation
we were going to wait until we saw all your conditions and then put the proper project site on it
and submit it to DLNR. But just to let you know that we have already completed wetland, flora
and fauna, archeological inventory, traffic, and I think that is it, five of them.
Chair: I guess it's acceptable to the department, I see him nodding his head.
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Staff. Just so the Commission knows these requirements of the subdivision needs to be
addressed prior to the final subdivision approval anyway so there are assurances.
Chair: Any more questions?
Mr. Blake: With respect to conditions of tentative approval page 2, fifth paragraph,
which says "All existing and proposed easements shall be identified in the deed descriptions of
the affected lots and shown on the final subdivision map." In the past, we are all aware of
easements that existed and everyone agrees existed but since the County did not formally claim
the easement for want of a better word, at final subdivision approval they just kind of disappear.
It disappeared legally but everybody knows it is still there and then it depends on the good graces
of the property owner as to whether the public can continue to utilize it. What I am thinking
about isn't to target this particular application but more globally I personally would like to see a
policy, written policy, that failure to identify a presently existing or proposed easement at the
time of final approval shall not preclude the later imposition of the same upon proof of the
existence of that easement prior to subdivision action. So that we can go back and not get into
these arguments about well you should have done it two years ago so tough because tough means
the public suffers. The subdivision applicant derives a benefit from the subdivision of this
property and the public could stand to lose on that and I think we should, I believe we should
make sure that doesn't happen.
Staff: Just for the record you are making reference to public easements, right, not
necessarily drainage easements, access easements, utility easements.
Mr. Blake: I am more concerned with the public because that is the one that is going to
come back before us.
Staff. I just wanted to get clarification.
Mr. Blake: The private easements, they have an obligation to stay awake and make sure
that their private interests are protected.
Chair: Any more questions, what does the Commission want to do?
Ms. Matsumoto: Move to approve tentative subdivision action for 5-2011-19, Halale`a
Investment Company, LLC, Patricia Wilcox Sheehan, TMK: 5-5-010:066, 068, 069 & 081,
Hanalei, Kauai.
Mr. Blake: Second.
Chair: All in favor...
On motion made by Camilla Matsumoto and seconded by Hartwell Blake, to grant
tentative subdivision approval for 5-2011-19, motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
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Ms. Matsumoto: Is it okay to address what he just said about proposed changes? Dale,
how do we make that, implement that?
Staff. I will actually work it out with Hartwell and see if we can develop a policy as a
result of his concerns.
Ms. Matsumoto: Thank you.
Tentative Subdivision Extension Request, S-2008-16,Melvin Soong/Clarence Soong, 2-
lot Subdivision, TMK: 4-6-015:048, Kapa`a, Kauai.
Staff. Thank you Mr. Chair. As noted in the staff report, this is the third extension
request for this subdivision application. As noted in the background the proposal is a two lot
subdivision for a property within the Kapa`a Houselots Subdivision. The application was
granted tentative subdivision approval on March 25, 2008. At this time the applicant is still
trying to resolve the requirements of the subdivision, more in particular the applicant is to
resolve the infrastructure requirements particularly relating to the roadway as well as the
domestic water requirements. The request has been routed to the various reviewing agencies and
they have no objections to the extension request. We are recommending an extension to March
25, 2012 with the understanding that an updated status report shall be submitted to the
department for further extension requests. The intent of the status report is just to basically
update you folks as far as the progress being made with the subdivision. I know listening to past
experiences with subdivisions involving water requirements sometimes can be challenging at
times.
Chair: Any questions for the planner?
Mr. Blake: So this is a problem with the government agencies?
Staff. I won't say necessarily the government agencies it is more just trying to find a
compromise in resolving what are the required infrastructure requirements. In this case there are
two challenges, one that this property is adjacent to an unimproved roadway that exists on the tax
map key but physically it is not there. I think as noted on the subdivision map it is adjacent to
Hauaala Road but Hauaala Road is say 30 to 40 feet below the existing grade of the property.
And as far as the waterline improves it is quite substantial, quite lengthy.
Mr. Blake: This is one of those where the Water Department is saying you have to have
this kind of service that will cost a million bucks but tough.
Chair: Is the applicant here?
Mr. Max Graham: Good morning Subdivision Committee members, I am Max Graham
representing the applicant Michael Soong. The Soong family has asked me to help them with
this and so if we can get this last extension I will see if I can't resolve the remaining issues. The
property actually borders on three roadways on three of its boundaries and there are some
agreements we need to enter into with the Department of Public Works concerning non-
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development of the vacant lot until Nunu Road which is the semi-improved road is completed.
And I think the issue with the Department of Water which I will address is where to bring the
waterline in, whether it should come, if you look at your map, whether it needs to be extended
down the (inaudible) and then down Nunu Road in order to get to the new vacant lot or whether
we can cut across the front lot there that already has the house on it. But I will address those
issues and hopefully we will be ready well before the one year extension.
Chair: Any questions for the applicant?
Mr. Blake: So when is the next updated status report due?
Staff. As conditioned it is 60 days prior to the expiration date so it would be somewhere
around January 25, 2012.
Mr. Blake: This coming year?
Staff. January 25, 2012.
Chair: Anymore questions? What does the Commission want to do?
Ms. Matsumoto: Move to approve tentative subdivision extension request for 5-2008-16,
Melvin Soong and Clarence Soong, TMK: 4-6-015:048, Kapa`a, Kauai.
Mr. Blake: Second.
Chair: All in favor say aye...
On motion made by Camilla Matsumoto and seconded by Hartwell Blake, to grant
tentative subdivision extension request, motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
ADJOURNMENT
This portion ended at 8:53 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted.
Lani Agoot
Commission Support Clerk
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