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HomeMy WebLinkAboutpcsdc 8-12-14 minKAUAI PLANNING COMMISSION SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE MEETING August 12, 2014 The regular meeting of the Planning Commission Subdivision Committee of the County of Kauai was called to order at 8:34 a.m., at the Lihu`e Civic Center, Mo`ikeha Building, in meeting room 2A -2B. The following Commissioners were present: Ms. Amy Mendonca Mr. Sean Mahoney Mr. Jan Kimura Absent and Excused: Mr. Hartwell Blake The following staff members were present: Planning Department — Leslie Takasaki, Kenneth Estes; Office of Boards and Commissions — Cherisse Zaima; Deputy County Attorney Ian Jung Discussion of the meeting, in effect, ensued. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Mendonca called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m. Vice Chair Mendonca designated Jan Kimura as Chair Pro Tern for the Subdivision Committee meeting. ROLL CALL Staff Planner Kenneth Estes noted that there were three Commissioners present. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA On the motion by Amy Mendonca and seconded by Sean Mahoney to approve the agenda, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Meeting of June 10, 2014 Meetin of June 24 2014 On the motion by Amy Mendonca and seconded by Sean Mahoney to approve the meeting minutes, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. RECEIPT OF ITEMS FOR THE RECORD (None) BEARINGS AND PUBLIC COMMENT (None) GENERAL BUSINESS MATTERS (None) UNFINISHED BUSINESS Subdivision Extension Requests S- 2006 -12 = Visionary LLC, dba Lahu `e Land Compan y, Proposed 5 -lot Subdivision Mr. Estes read the Director's report into the record. (On file) Clyde Kodani authorized agent for the developer was present with Tracy Nagata, Senior Vice President of Development at D.R. Horton. Mr. Kodani stated their only concern is with the extension deadline of March 28, 2015, which is only 6 months from now. He requested it be changed to March 28, 2016, as there are some things they need to work out with other government agencies, and 6 months will not be enough time to complete that. Mr. Kimura agreed, stating that 6 months would not be enough time. Ms. Mendonca commented that the applicant keeps asking for extensions, and she assumes they are hitting a lot of snags. She asked if they feel. extending the date to 2016 will give theirs sufficient time. Mr. Kodani stated from the developer's perspective they believe 2016 will be adequate; however, they do need to interact with other agencies, which they do not have any control over. Mr. Kimura stated he frowns upon extensions like this; however, upon doing some background research into this project, he is in agreement with the applicant. Mr. Kodani commented that he was thinking of asking for an extension to 2017, but feels it may be asking too much to which Mr. Kimura asked if the applicant feels they need more time. Mr. Kodani, stated they really don't have any control over other agencies' timeframes. Mr. Kimura asked the Commission if they would like to grant an extension to 2017. 2 Mr. Mahoney asked to clarify that the developer is committed to resolving the various issues and moving forward with the project, and if so, he would be willing to grant an extension to 2017 if they feel they need the additional time. Mr. Kodani stated the reason for his request is to avoid having to come back before the Commission for another extension should they be unable to complete the project by 2016. Ms. Mendonca stated under the assumption of good faith, and the obstacles they face with the technicalities of the government system deterring their progress, she would suggest that it be stated in the report that due to lack of necessary approvals from other agencies that would allow this project to move forward, the Commission would approve an extension beyond March 28, 2016. W. Kimura stated he feels it would be easier to give them an extension to 2017 to avoid additional paperwork. Ms. Mendonca stated for clarification that the applicant is still required to provide annual reports to the Department, and agreed to the new proposed deadline. Ms. Nagata commented that her company has always been a home builder, and that is what they strive to do. In good faith, they have been and will continue to work on this project to meet all requirements, and finish on time. Mr. Kimura stated that the labor unions would appreciate it, and he highly suggests that they hire local contractors as many local people need jobs. He commented that other companies that have come before the Commission have hired local companies, but fired them within a few months, and started bringing in laborers from the mainland, which bothered him. He asked the applicant to take that into consideration to which Ms. Nagata stated she will. Ms. Mendonca asked for clarification on the Department of Transportation's requirement regarding the chain link fence, expressing her curiosity on whether it will be put up during construction. Ms. Nagata stated she suspects for safety reasons it would need to go up as soon as construction begins in the first parcel; they are liable for what happens on their land. They are still working to resolve some of the finer details, but they will be looking closely at that as they get closer to beginning construction. Ms. Mendonca stated her concern is that they are within a neighborhood where there are many children around. On the motion by Amy Mendonca and seconded by Sean Mahoney to approve the subdivision extension request, no action was taken on this item. On the motion by Amy Mendonca and seconded by Sean Mahoney to amend the Department's recommendation and allow an extension to March 28, 2017, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. S- 2006 -24 = D.R. Horton /Schuler Homes, Proposed 115 -lot Subdivision Mr. Estes read the Director's report into the record. (On file) Mr. Kimura suggested aligning the date with the previous request as it is the same subdivision. On the motion by Amy Mendonca and seconded by Sean Mahoney to approve the subdivision extension request, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. On the motion by Amy Mendonca and seconded by Sean Mahoney to amend the Department's recommendation and allow an extension to March 28, 2017 to align with Subdivision Extension Request 5- 2006 -12, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Mendonca adjourned the meeting at 8:52 a.m. Respectfully submitted by: Cherisse Zaim Commission Support Clerk () Approved as circulated (add date of meeting approval). () Approved as amended. See minutes of meeting. 11