HomeMy WebLinkAboutjan222015regKAUAI COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW COMMISSION
Lihue Civic Center, Moi.keha Building, Meeting Room 2A/2B
MINUTES
A meeting of the Kauai County Historic Preservation Commission (KHPRC) was held on January 22,
2015 in the Lihue Civic Center, Moikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /2B.
The following Commissioners were present: Stephen Long, Chairperson, Pat Griffin, Vice Chairperson,
Anne Schneider, Patsy Sheehan, and Victoria Wichman.
The following Commissioner(s) were absent: Danita Aiu, Althea Arinaga, and Kuuleialoha Santos,
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2:44 pm.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GENERAL BUSINESS MATTERS
There were no announcements.
COMMUNICATION
There were no communications.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Re: Class IV Zoning Permit Z- IV- 2015 -8, Project Development Use Permit PDU- 2015 -7, Variance
Permit V- 2015 -1 and Special Management Area Use Permit SMA(U)- 2015 -6 to pen-nit repair and
reconstruction of the former Coco Palms Resort including but not limited to: 350 hotel units,
Lotus Restaurant and Flame Room Bar, the Lobby Building, the Commercial Building, three
swimming pools, Queen's Audience Hall, the Palms Lanai, the Utility and Maintenance Building,
Sea Shell Restaurant, Chapel in the Palms, 2 of 4 Bridge Crossings, and the construction of a new
Queen Lagoon Building into a spa and gym facility on the site of the previously demolished
structure. The project is situated in Wailua and located at 04 -241 Kuhi`o Highway, further
identified as Tax Map Keys 4 -1 -003: 004 (por.), 005, 007, 011, and 017 and 4 -1 -005: 014 and
017.
Mr. Ron Ago r: Ron Agar for the record. I am here to answer any questions you may have.
Mr. Long: Yes.
Ms. Schneider: Ron are you going to reuse all that lava rock that's there?
Mr. Ag_or: We certainly are. Yes we certainly are.
January 22, 2415 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 2
Mr. Long: 1
have
a question about the
lagoons. So you are concerned about keeping in their current
condition so
there
won't be any dredging
or removal of material from the lagoons?
Mr. Agor: Right now there are some debris in it and we are working with Cultural Surveys on the method
on which we are going to be cleaning the lagoon. It will probably be by hand. Removing the coconuts, the
branches, and debris, we don't want to be bringing equipment in there.
Mr. Long: Thank you. I have another comment and that is when we were out in the site and we talked a
little bit about the concrete bridge and the concrete cast coconut horizontal member on the bridge and I
just thought I might mention her that if you could integrate that design concept into the new bridge that
would be...
Mr. Agor: Your comment has been noted and we will work towards that.
Mr. Long: Thank you Ron. Would anybody from the public like to come forward and testify regarding the
entire application?
Ms. Reggush: Thank you again. Rayne Regush for the record. I had two points of clarification for Mr.
Agor. When he talked about having a monitor on site, I wasn't clear whether that monitor would be an
archeologist. And second point regarding reusing the lava rock my question would be are we trying to
retain the existing lava rock walls, keeping them in place verses dismantling and reusing the rocks. So if
we could get clarification please.
Mr. Long: Yes Ron.
Mr. Agor: Again Ron Agor for the record. I believe the only rock wall that is going to be considered taken
down is the one that is attached to the King's Lagoon. The old wooden buildings at the very end where
we went around to look at the bridge. There is some 8 foot high walls that is faced with rocks and when
we demolish the King's Lagoon those walls are going to come down and we are going to take those rocks
and use it elsewhere.
Ms. Schneider: Can you tell us the timeline how long this project will take you to complete?
Mr. Agor: i think I should defer that to the owner.
Mr. Long: There were two questions to you from the public. The other had to do with the archeologist and
the...
Mr. Agor:
The monitor would be
from an archeologist office
yes. With regards to the last question I think
the goal is
to turn the project over
to the Hyatt, the operator, in
February of 2417,
Ms.
Sheehan:
Just because we've
had this new information from
the other person in the audience about
genealogy and
perhaps a cemetery
on the property. Did you know
about that?
Mr. Agor: I read a little bit about it but you can be certain that before we start construction we are going
to be working with Cultural Survey we are going to have a huge map on the site depicting all the historic
areas and information the construction workers of where they can go and where they can't go.
Ms. Sheehan: Great thank you.
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 3
Mr. Lon a: Thank you Ron. Anybody else from the public would like to come forward?
Mr. Milton China: Aloha Milton Ching again. I just want to go to the application submitted by the
applicant on Page 27, Historic Resources, and if I may, the proposed rebuilding/renovation of the resort
will not, will not have any impact on any existing historic, cultural, and archeology resources, etc. When
you find a grave that is unmarked, they inadvertently found if any there is a direct impact on that burial.
When that person died years ago it was the intent to be stayed in place never to be disturbed.
When Coco Palms was built back in the 1950s they already disturbed it. Period. They already disturbed
it. So we get these guys coming in today and say they going rebuild and reconstruct. When you do earth
movement there is going to be some movement in the ground. Records have already shown back in 1973
burials were removed and reinterred in front. I believe there were like 34 burials according to documents.
But can you imagine how many more people that they never took out from the tennis court and how many
people is in Mahupunepuuoni Cemetery.
We don't know who they are but I tell you something if you do your research well you are going to find
in 1835 when the missionaries came to Hawaii and Kauai they did a census of the different districts on
Kauai and if you go to the Department of Health death records you are going to find people buried in
Wailua. They must have had over a hundred people or maybe even a thousand. They must have been
buried some place. So if the document in 1848 states that it's a burial ground. It's a burial ground.
There is also a second burial ground that's at the Kalaeokamanu Heiau in the back and one of the records
also states on Josiah Kaumuali`i Land Commission Award that it's a burial place. Unfortunately, it
doesn't tell us today or in the records who is buried there. But when you have an old timer saying that it is
a burial ground, it's a burial ground. And unfortunately Kuamoo Road went right through that burial
ground years ago. So although things have been destroyed disrespectfully it's time to do something about
it. And if I our cemetery, which is still on Coco Palms grounds today it should be protected by all the
govermnent agencies both SHPD, your department, Kauai Burial Council, and the Planning Department.
Thank you very much.
Mr. Long: Thank you.
Ms. Schneider: Is there somebody here from the Burial Council.
Mr. Jun a: No, you know I think we are in sort of an unusual situation on this particular project because
there has been entitlements for this projects for years and then in 2000 I think they carne back in working
on their 2005 permit set which had been revoked but they did a lot of work up for the historic preservation
review process where I know they went through the preservation plan Mary Jane was talking about and
they had other historical processes that were completed but I think what SHPD is doing is they are having
to relook at that. So we are still awaiting their comments but if you folks want to supplement and provide
content or character issues to the project you can both look at it from an archeology stand point as well as
an architectural stand point.
So if there are things that you see in the plans that you want to make recommendations on you certainly
can do that. But I believe with some of the preservation plans and then I do there is burial treatment plans
on the property as well. So there is a lot of plans that were done for this particular project and it's
extensive if you guys want to dig into that and look all those up again you can. But the reality is with the
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 4
Iniki Ordinance they are allowed to put the buildings back up on the footprint of which they were
previously existing. Right, so they do have to come in for other permits required by the new Iniki
Ordinance which tells them hey you got to comply with standards as in the CZO provides for now.
So what the Planning Department they had to apply the standards of permits. So that's why with the Iniki
Ordinance process gone with. the expedited permitting process they now have to go through the Class IV
Zoning process. They have to go through the SMA process and they have to go through the Project
Development Use Process because there is multiple parcels on the property where the development is. So
that's why it's sort of recirculating back to you folks and going through the whole public hearing process.
Ms. Schneider: Would we be jumping the gun if we give a recommendation before we get SHPD's
comments?
Mr. Jung: Well it's happened in the past but ultimately this body does recommend to both SHPD and the
Planning Commission. So if there is something you see now that you want to make recommendations on
you can certainly do that now. Right, both from the stand point of the two bridges as well as any of the
historic buildings that were identified on the sheet that was passed out at the last meeting. So we go the
plans and we forwarded the application that had all the attachments to it as well.
Ms. Schneider: Not everybody was able to download that.
Ms. Sheehan: Yes it was too big.
Mr. Jung: The public hearing is coming up next Tuesday so we do have statutory timelines we have to
honor. It's just a part of how the process works but if you need more time to look at it we can certainly
schedule another meeting depends on what the Planning Commission does on the Tuesday meeting. But
we can schedule another meeting to review all of these things again.
Ms. Griffin: I had asked at the last meeting when this came up it sounded from Mr. Agor's presentation it
was a little confusing to me on the comments on the historic structures. The King's Cottages, the Queen's
Cottages because it was sounding like because of flood regulations and other things that it had to be
rebuilt, the cottages, and they had to be built not in the same configuration but up on posts and so forth
and had asked for clarification on what the parameters of our recommendation can be if in fact there are
other requirements that require the owners to destroy these structures.
Mr. Jung: That's a good question because they are required to comply with our floodplain management
ordinance and FEMA has been watching this project because they have concerns as well to make sure it's
compliant. How that interfaces with the historical elements of the project is just a reality we are going to
have face just because there are health and safety requirements. Not that they supersede but they have to
be integrated into how the project is going to look because it's a federal requirement. We can ask the
applicant to go through the components but they have to raise it to a base flood elevation based on what
the engineers say of where that, I don't know what flood zone it's in but depending on what that flood
zone is they have to raise it to a certain height. In this case it's at four feet Ron is that? Oh 8 feet. So it is
quite elevated.
Ms. Griffin: Right, so where are we in terms of reviewing these historic cottages?
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 5
Mr. Jung: They were passed out.
Ms. Griffin: I mean they are going to have to be destroyed and rebuilt it's not in our purview to comment
on the aesthetics on the new one or the design. I mean that's the architect's job. So I am just not sure what
we are being asked to talk about and I would love to get some explanation from you or the Planning
Department staff.
Mr. Dee Crowell: Ok for this Coco Patens project there are about 25 structures that are being considered
for either replacement or renovation. There are 14 structures that are over 50 years old and 9 of them are
the King's Cottages and Queen's Cottages. Those small little wood framed structures that are going to be
raised. and raised. So they Ordinance 716 which is kind of the current version of the Iniki Repair
Ordinance exempted structures that were damaged by Hurricane Iniki to be repaired without having to
meet the current code if they were legally permitted at the time they were built.
So they exempted not only the zoning code but the building code, electrical code, and all the codes. And
that was passed in 1993. So then in 1997 the Council passed 716, no when was that, and it ended up that
the only portion that is now exempt from, well that structures that are exempt from is the nonconforming
structure portion of the entire Kauai County Code. So they don't have to, I don't want to put words in
their mouth, but I heard from Council Members it was passed basically to allow Coco Palms to rebuild
and that's what we have here. But although these ordinances, these Iniki Rebuild Ordinances, you know
allowed exemptions from County codes they don't exempt Federal Codes. So any structures have to meet
flood ordinances. They have to meet SMA; they have to get SMA permits. (Inaudible) is not exempt, only
County codes.
So that is what we are dealing with here. These cottages, you know the dates I listed in the spreadsheet are
from tax records. So they may have not been built in 1955 but they sure got taxed in 1955. So that's
where these structures are. They are allowed to, well they can rebuild but they have to meet the new flood
heights.
Ms. Griffin: But in that case doesn't that take all of the part of the project off of our table?
Mr. Crowell: Yes.
Ms. Griffin: So the five...
Mr. Junk: Not necessarily though because as a part of the mitigation plan and this would be pending from
the architecture branch where you can suggest through the developer that the appearance to remain
similar of nature of what existed before. So when they agreed to the mitigation commitments as they go
through the process if there is a significant effect then you can work with the developer to come up with
commitments as to how certain architectural look so it's comparable or even similar to what existed when
it was built. So there is the ability for you folks to review it on the historic buildings that are being
destroyed. But right now we don't have the comment from architecture branch.
Ms. Griffin: What about the 5 that aren't being destroyed and rebuilt cause we did not see any of those
right.
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 6
Mr. Crowell:
The
Lagoon Building which was that building that was destroyed
and you the top floor was
removed because
it was destroyed in the fire. So that was built in
1958, the one next to the bridge, so the
bridge may be of that same year. House in the palms and the
Palms and Lanai
are the 2 bars and
restaurants that are right next to each other, they are right between the King's
Cottages and the Queen's
Cottages. So they
are all in the same general area. They were built
in 1955. And
then there is a chapel.
Ms. Griffin: The Elvis Presley Chapel?
Mr. Crowell: Yes. So that 1 believe is going to be rebuilt. Right?
Mr. Ago r: Renovated.
Mr. Crowell; It is still standing right now.
Mr. Agor: Yes we could keep the construction cost less than 50% so we can leave it where it is, as it is.
Ms. Schneider: Dee is this going to be connected to County sewer?
Mr. Crowell: What is that?
Ms. Schneider: Is it going to be connected to the County sewer system?
Mr. Crowell: I believe it was.
Mr. Agar: You are talking about the chapel?
Ms. Schneider: No the whole project.
Mr. Ago r: The whole facility is a sewer system connected to the County sewer stage at the corner there. If
you don't mind I would like to address Vice Chairperson Griffin's question about what are you doing
here in terms of the cottages and from our perspective we thought it was appropriate to inform the
Commission of our intent.
Ms. Griffin: You know and we thank you. There are, I don't know anybody on the island especially you
know from in the Puna, Kawaihau, Halelea districts that doesn't have a strong interest for one reason or
another in what's happening with the Coco Palms. It has a thousand years of history, and work, and life,
and death. So it is important and we appreciate it and it's just been a little confusing when you came
before you thought we were just going to talk about the two bridges or you know the bridges and you
were saying something else,
So I am just having a hard time wrapping my mind around our, cause our job is to look at the historical
elements. And I do think it's important on a site like this to look at the context not just those buildings. It
is a much bigger site than any single building and we really do appreciate hearing from you on the plans
and how this is evolving and all the complications that are incurred working with County, State, and
Federal agencies.
So I just keep being uncertain on how to proceed and maybe the best way, 1 don't know how the rest of
you commissioners feel but it may be in this situation it would be best for us to wait and hear from the
State Historic Preservation Division because of the complexities of the site rather than trying to weigh
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 7
through all of it ourselves and feeling like maybe there is some information out there on the two little bars
and the .rest.
Mr. Ago r: The comment from SHPD was that they are still reviewing the issue of the bridges.
Mr. Lon a: I don't think it's... a member from the public please.
Mr. Bill Folk: I just wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am Bill Folk. F O L K and I
work with Dr. Hammatt at Cultural Surveys Hawai'i and Kauai is kind of my purview and project
manager. So I just wanted to take the opportunity and introduce myself since you were all here rather than
one by one making sure I get connected with you.
We are working with the landowners and the planners in terms of the archaeology and it is a long history
of archaeology as well as a long history. We will be helping to put together all of the various elements
over the long period of time and we sincerely hope that, that will be of real benefit to you all in your
tasks. Thank you.
Mr. Long: Thank you. I have a couple of questions. With regards to the ponds, is removing the two
bridges going to change the circulation or experiential, experience of the lagoons?
Mr. Folk: Another question for you Ron.
Mr. Ago r: The circulation in terms of humans or water?
Mr. Long:
Well
yes
the lagoon
is used by people
in a
certain manner
and you are removing half of the
bridges. So
does
that
change the
historical aesthetic
and
experience and
use of the property?
Mr. Agor: I don't know if you can call it historical, I guess you could cause historically, for example the
Queen's Audience .Hall where the ballrooms are will generally be used by the public and that bridge was a
direct pathway from the parking lot to the Queen's Audience Hall and with that being removed the
pathway would have to be diverted and we do have an ADA accessible route to get over bridge number 2
on over across the lagoon to the Queen Audience Hall. So in the past that particular bridge was used for
the public to go from the parking lot to the Queen Audience Hall. And certainly removing it will change
that pattern but whether it is significant or not it's really not for me to decide.
Mr. Long: I have another comment, question /comment, on the cottages rebuild. I didn't clearly take a
look at are the new cottages going to be identical in floor plan and size and scope?
Mr. Ago r: Pretty close to it yes. Pretty close to it.
Mr. Long: Ok so I just have a personal comment about the 8 foot posts and I noted some vertical elements
in the restaurant that have that cast coconut stalk so maybe that's an aesthetic that could be...
Mr. A or: We will take that under consideration. Yes.
Mr. Long:
SHPD and
Thank you. And then I have a general question about the archeology
the archeologist consultant and I understand that you can replace these
and this is more for
buildings by County
permit but
if you take these buildings out from the foundation out
the report I just
heard that somebody
read that someone had evaluated
that in removing and replacing the
buildings have
no archeological sites
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 8
to be disturbed and my question is to SHPD is how can one remove a foundation without disturbing
what's just right under that concrete?
Ms. Naone: Well that wasn't a comment made by our office. My understanding in reviewing the
archeology component of the project is that the archeological monitoring plan was approved in 2005. So
as Ian said we are reviewing some of those old documents and seeing what changes need to be made and
nothing has been done on the site without archaeological monitoring. We did make a change in the
monitoring in which the monitoring plans stipulated that all demolition or ground disturbance would need
to monitored by a qualified archaeologist.
I went out last week and Missy K.amai from Cultural Survey's was monitoring the removal of the
appliances in the restaurant. We didn't see a need for her to be there when the demolition doesn't involve
ground disturbance and it's not working with the structural details that are historic with the buildings. So
we have made comments to that and the project.
We have also requested more time to review the permit as we are waiting for burial site /burial treatment
plan for inadvertent discovery that was made last year during installation of the dust fence around the
property. So Coco Palms Hui had applied for an after the fact dust fence from the County and we had
asked for a burial treatment plan for the inadvertent discover of human remains which we passed. You
probably saw the orange cone, that's the location.
So once we, our burial site specialist Kauanoe Hoomanawanui handles that aspect of but I think we had
deferred commenting on the permitting until we can work with the Burial Council to address possible
additional burials will be impacted. Oh and I just (inaudible) both the registration, the National
Registration form for the Fish Pond and the preservation plan. I don't see any reference to when those
bridges were built. I am sorry. It does say that there was some modifications made in the 70s but nothing
about they were determined contributing elements.
Ms.
Schneider:
So i have
a question for Dee. If we hold off on
our comments till we get SHPD's response
will
we be hanging up the
Planning Commission? You are not
going to take action
on the first hearing?
Mr. Crowell: Two responses to that. One is that you know we first received this application back in
October and we routed for comments to all the agencies in October for a December hearing. Subsequent
to that we found some discrepancies in the application so we rescheduled the hearing for next week and
so agencies have had 3 months to look at this project so I don't know how much longer they need. But the
second part of that is by our CZO a Class IV permit has 60 days from when the Commission receives the
Director's Report which is 60 days from two weeks ago. So it's sometime in early March. But that means
that the last regularly scheduled meeting the Commission can act on would be February.
Mr. Jung: Yes and just to answer the procedural part of your question is yes the Planning Commission can
take action because you folks serve in an advisory capacity both to the Planning Department and Planning
Commission but if they choose to take action on it they can. You could make a request for them to have
time but it's up to you collectively as a body.
Mr. Long: As an advisory commission I think it's really important for us to be sensitive to the time
constraints of the County and the applicant. Personally I would like to make my decisions based on a full
body of information gathering and 1 have heard you know with regards to a number of issues today that
January 22, 2015 KI PRC Meeting Minutes
Page 9
SFIPD is
still conducting their
review,
archeological and Architectural. So in those issues I don't feel
qualified
to make the judgments
without
our consultants input.
Ms. Schneider:
Also it would have
been
great if we
had gotten
the full application as a printed because
were given the
drop box folder
many of the Commissioners weren't
able
to open the
application
online.
Mr. Ago r: And of course any potential approval on the 27th would most likely be conditioned that the
applicant comply with the SBPD's forthcoming analysis.
Mr. Long: Go ahead Patsy.
Ms. Sheehan: I just like to say that I agree that I feel like I don't quite have my hands around as Pat says
and I wasn't at the last meeting so I did not get all this information and it's my bad but I was curious
because we weren't able to see anything and one of the things for me was the chapel and we didn't get to
see that but it's on the list and it says repair so also you were talking about if the repair is more than 50%
you have to come to code. And Dee I wasn't sure whether, 1 don't know how bad the chapel is, but do
you have to come to code on it?
Mr. Ago r: Our analysis is that the repair work would be less than 50% of the appraised value. So we do
not have to comply.
Mr. Crowell: Still standing still has a roof. T think they still conduct weddings in there.
Mr. Ago r: And it's basically an open air chapel.
Ms. Sheehan: And also the Seashell Restaurant is that part of this project?
Mr. Agor: I believe it will be part of the application, yes, being presented to the Commission on the 27`h.
Ms. Sheehan: And how are people are going to get there from the hotel? Are they going to walk across
the road?
Mr. Ago r: The hotel will have continuous shuttle.
Ms. Sheehan: Oh shuttles.
Mr. Ago r: Yes continuous shuttles.
Ms. Sheehan: Well I am glad you are keeping the chapel. I just couldn't find it all of that stuff,
Mr. Crowell: We have to keep it. Myles was married in that chapel.
Mr. Agor: And during the process of construction I'd be glad to get on your agenda and give you updates
as we progress.
Mr. Long: Any other questions? Victoria.
Ms. Wichman: No I would just like to
say that I agree
with Chairman
Long and with
Patsy Sheehan about
not being totally prepared for this. We
were given the
drop box folder
recently and I
really don't think it's
clear, that a lot of us are a little bit
confused. Not
confused but we
don't have our heads completely
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 1.0
around the whole project. The last
meeting it
was about two bridges and that's what
we were
concentrating on and. then the scope
has changed
and I don't feel that we are prepared to
make any
decisions or advisory remarks at this time until we
get more information from SHPD and their
review as
well. If this does hold up the Planning
Commission,
I am not sure. Like you said they can make
a decision
whether or not we give them advice. I
don't know,
personally I think that we are not prepared
to make a
recommendation at this time.
Mr. Agor: Actually at the last meeting .T was wrong in indicating that we were only concentrating on the
bridge and I was corrected by Dee Crowell and the Commission proceeded with the correction in mind,
That it was more than just the bridge,
Mr. Jung: Just to clarify the reference to the 2 bridges was actually made because of the letter from SI PD
was referencing the 2 bridges but it contemplated the whole permit set and the buildings in there.
Ms. Schneider: So action by the Planning Commission would have to be in February, the Second week in
February?
Mr. Junk: Yes second week in February. The Director's Report was received last meeting because the
CZO requires it to be submitted prior to the next meeting right so that public has 2 weeks advanced notice
to see what's coming down the pipeline in addition to public hearing notices or agency hearing notices
that are put in the newspaper.
Ms. Schneider: Could we take action at our next meeting on the first week in February?
Mr. Jung: Yes,
Mr. Long: And that would be an appropriate time?
Mr. Jung: It
could or if you want to schedule, I am sure this issue
will come up before the Planning
Commission
and then Dee can raise it and if you
need to schedule,
if the comments come back from
SHPD then we can schedule another meeting off the
timeframe that's our normal meetings as well.
Ms. Schneider: And could we get a copy of the full application?
Mr. Jung: Paper copy yes. We are trying to go paperless,
Ms. Schneider: I was able to download it but other people weren't able too.
Mr. Jung: You have to tell Myles you need an IPad,
Ms. Schneider: Sounds good.
Mr. Jung: So where it leaves you is you can either make a recommendation now or defer the matter or
request more information from the applicant.
Mr. Long: Ok do we have a motion on the floor from a commissioner to address the applicant's
application? Yes Milce.
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 11
Mr. Michael Belles: Good afternoon again Mr. Chair and Members of the Commission for the record
Mike Belles and to my right Mr, Tyler Green he is one of the partners in the Coco Palms Hui, LLC and I
just wanted to offer a few more comments before you proceeded if it pleases the Chair and the
Commission.
This is not an easy application by any stretch of the imagination and this will be one of the few times that
I think you will see 2 lawyers actually in agreement because we are dealing with multiple jurisdictions
and each one can preempt the other and we are always not compatible and we won't always jive and yes
you can wait for the SHPD recommendation and then make your comments based on that but the reality is
SIIPD has certain final authority on things and you can make recommendations that are not inconsistent
with that just based on general law of preemption. And by the same token when we look at Federal
requirements for elevating the structures we must comply with that.
Yes we have made a commitment on the record that we want to maintain the character and the spirit of
those cottages as they once existed. But the reality is they will look the same but we are going to be
elevated 8 feet. Are they really going to look the same? No they are going to look different but the
building itself per say is going to be a reasonable facsimile of what existed there previously. lt's just that
legally we cannot put a grid which we would actually prefer to do because it's going to be less expensive
to do that but with the Federal law trumping State and County Laws we are not required to elevate those
buildings that Mr. Crowell pointed out 8 feet and in some cases higher in some cases lower.
'those buildings that don' t have to be elevated some have to be flood proofed so we must do all those
things and we must comply with those codes so it's very difficult for the developer or any landowner to
make definitive commitments on how something will ultimately end up because we have got several
cooks stirring the pot and in some of these cases you've got each of the independent cooks having
superior authority over the cook to their left or to their right and we have to respect the law in that case in
terms of who has the final say or authority and what I might suggest, bearing that in mind, is that just
based on the discussion I have heard so far and what I have observed you have certain ideas, certain
comments, certain recommendations that you have made today just during the course of your
deliberations.
I don't think it would be hurtful or disruptive for you to memorialize some of those and send those over to
the Commission as soon as possible so they have the benefit of your comments so that that they will be
considering those as they are going through the liberations on it and say that you would like to reserve the
right to submit supplemental data as time permits. But the reality also and I have done this for over 40
years not particularly smart just old but the reality is often times agency comments simply don't come in.
Whether it be a Federal agency, a State agency, or a County agency. Is it because they are overworked?
They are indifferent to it? Or reasons that never made sense to me and then Commissions for the very
reasons that were explained by Mr. Crowell and by the Deputy County Attorney by law the Commission
must take action.
So i think it would be beneficial knowing the time constraints, my humble recommendation would be that
you provide whatever input you could now and if you have the opportunity supplement it with other
information as you gather additional information. And I respect what you said that you can only work
with what you have right now and you ideally would like more information and will there ever be a point
where we have all the information we want. I don't know if that's ever the case. That's why things
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 1.2
evolve. That's why we have archeologist monitoring the activities in the field. What if we find an
inadvertent burial? You have got to stop work immediately. We have to notify SHPD /Burial Council. We
have got to follow certain legal processes and as Mr. Ching said earlier in his testimony, I mean, he is
asking that we do things pursuant to the law. And we have to. We don't have a choice. We get penalized
and they close down the project and stop it entirely.
So we have legal obligations as well and they three are certain safeguards, not absolute, not a 100% that
we would all probably like to see but that's just the reality of development on any land in Hawaii. This as
unique, special historical significance because of its usage over a long period of time but the reality is you
can find ancient artifacts, historical sites almost anywhere on Kauai that are not known or identified. But
here it's been known/identified, it's been recorded with the best information we have. We are doing our
best to do a development that is responsive to that.
And the last comment I will make is that the intent of this project unlike the project that was permitted in
2005 is to limit the disturbance of the soil as much as possible and build on existing foundations cause we
realize anything you turn over you may find something under there that would cause everything to come
to a screeching halt. A good example is just constructing the dust fence. Who would have thought by
digging a post hole that you would discover remains? So I mean that does happen and that's why you
have a monitor on site monitoring everything.
So that is the intention of the developer to disturb as little as possible and do everything in a sensitive way
as possible. is it
going
to be a 100% perfect? No it will not be. So those are my only
comments that I
would like to make and
I would like to just turn over the microphone over briefly to Mr.
Green because I
think he has got
some
comments at the owner and developer to speak to their vision
and how the
approach this and
these
are comments we both made on the public record before when we have appeared
before the Kauai
County Council. And then obviously we would be happy to respond
to any questions
you may have for
us.
Mr. Tyler Green: Thank you Mike. First of all I just wanted to thank everyone very much for corning out
today and we understand it was a long day and somewhat of an adventurous tour. Thank you very much
for getting us on your schedule and making the time to go out there.
I just kinda wanted to circle back on a few things that I was listening to in being here today and it made
me think of our overreaching goal when we set out this journey and that was to honor our past and
celebrate the future. And so we do understand that in the midst of this there are many delicate balances
and we are sensitive to those delicate balances and it's our obligation and responsibility to listen and to
absorb everything that we hear from you folks and also from the public and do our very best to address
those and you know as we have embarked on this there is definitely a long list of things to be cautious of
and be aware of but you know it is our hope that we get everything on the list and do our best to address
those.
And so the idea circling back
to the question about the bridges is
the motivation for that was
to open up
the view planes in the lagoon
and to enhance the guest experience
but also enhance the public
experience
as well. So if you are in the
Queens Lagoon Building and you might be in a seminar or a
meeting or
whatever the case may be now all of a sudden you don't have a
bridge that blocks your view from the
other
side of the lagoon and we figured that the two bridges were
sufficient enough and if we paid close
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 13
enough attention into designing those the right way we could then open those up for ADA concerns that
are now very relevant in this time and age that probably weren't necessarily addressed when those bridges
were first constructed.
When I talk about honoring the past the idea is to bring Coco Palms back aesthetically so it does have that
node back to the past and that feel and so we always use the term from a design aesthetic as contemporary
retro. So it is kind of the old Coco Palms presented in a modern type way and so you will have kind of
that tiki feel and we have actually found the coconut tree pilings forms where we can recreate some of the
cement structures that you found on the bridge and so whether its infusing bamboo or the old coconut
feel. To us it's the coconut grove that represents that resort. That's what made Coco Palms Coco Palms
and it is the sacred blend that the coconut grove sits on and so in reference to any kind of parking on the
grove.
We can't by law as Mike had mentioned disturb that grove whatsoever. We are bound by that lease with
the State and we have to follow that line by line and so it's our hope through this process we are
enhancing and not taking away anything from the property or causing any unsightly eyesores so to speak
on the property but that's typically been our approach from the start and we have committed to stick with
that honoring the past and celebrating the future as we move along on this project. Thank you,
Mr. Long: Thank you. Commissioners do you have any questions for the owner?
Ms. Griffin: Thank you and I remember I think Mr. Belles that you were the man that wrote the ordinance
for the Kauai Historic Preservation Review Commission back when you were a young County Attorney
so I don't doubt that you have plenty of experience over the years with it. And I appreciate what you are
saying about moving on but making a decision in ignorance doesn't sound like a very wise thing to do
and as our County Attorney has suggested we can make comments about these very new structures and
you have seen me rolling around trying to figure out.
I stayed in the Princess Cottages on several occasions and they have a wonderful moss rock Jacuzzi that's
open to the air and I am not sure how you would do that, I am not sure, we haven't gotten any information
about what the King's Cottages or what the Queen's Cottages were like and we haven't gotten any
information about what the chapel is because our purview is in preservation and restoration not simply
repair but it's really hard for us to comment on how to guide and advise on utilizing the Secretary of
Interior Standards for Rehabilitation and what constitutes retaining the integrity of these repairable
buildings when we haven't seen information about it. So I continue to feel that for us to be able to advise
that we need a certain body of information that I don't feel like I have at this point.
Mr. Belles: I will just simply say having been the author but not the decision maker who adopted the law,
I'm just providing some input to councilmen and other people who considered it and commissions who
ultimately have to implement it. At the end of the day the decision is yours to make. It's your collective
wisdom. That's why you people were appointed to a not so easy job to make these tough decisions and if
you don't feel you have the information you need then you don't make a recommendation.
My suggestion
simply was that if there was a way for you apportion
it with the information you do have
fine but if you
feel there
is a total void and a lack of a foundation to
make a recommendation 1 wouldn't
expect you to do that or
any board or commission. You took an oath
to uphold the constitutions and the
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 14
laws of the County of Kauai and the State of Hawai'i so that's what you have to do and that's what I
expect you to do and I respect that. It may result in some delays but we also have legal time constraints
and it's hard for the lawyers then to strike that fair balance to get all the information that you need and
then have the Planning Commission in turn do what it needs to do in a timely basis pursuant to the laws.
So it's difficult compromises I think that may have to be made to make this work for everyone.
Mr. Long: Thank you Mike.
Mr. Ago r: I would like to make a suggestion. I would like to see the Planning Commission on the 27th
should they decide to approve the project to have a condition in there that we follow SHPD's final
evaluation and to give this Commission more time. Why don't you guys gather your information and your
recommendation and then submit that to SHPD and have SHPD include that in their final analysis. That
would be an avenue to relieve the applicant of the pressure and give you more time to evaluate it.
Mr. Jung:
Well you can do
that but the
problem is you
are going to have to make a decision collectively
as a body
and you have got
to be able to
hold a meeting
to make decision right.
Mr. Long: I have a question of Ian. Can we defer this, our review of this and our recommendation
decision until our next meeting? Would be timely before the Planning Commission meets?
Mr. Jung: Yes you could make a motion to defer but again if SHPD does come back with their comments
and the Planning Commission is ready to act they can act but if they don't then you have the opportunity
to provide comments.
Mr. Longs: Ok,
Ms. Schneider: Do we have comments?
Mr. Jung: When is the next meeting?
Staff: February 5th
Mr. Long: I have another question. If you defer, if you elect to defer to the next meeting does the interim
Planning Commission get any of your feedback and comments /discussion?
Mr. Jung: What do you mean by interim?
Mr. Long: Are they meeting before?
Mr. Jung: The public hearing or agency hearing is on the 27"'
Mr. Long: Right so if we elect to defer will they hear any of our comments or discussion that occurred in
this meeting?
Mr. Jung: I doubt that the minutes would be prepared by then. But if you guys want to send a memo to the
Planning Commission,
Mr. Crowell: I don't want to speak for the Commission but I doubt they will take action on the 27th. I
think they will have the same issues you guys are having.
January 22, 2015 KI PRC Meeting .Minutes
Page 15
Ms. Schneider: So it would be ok if we took action at our next meeting which would be February 5`h?
Mr. Crowell: I wouldn't want to make that statement.
Mr, Jung: There is no guarantee.
Ms. Schneider: Could we make some recommendation now and then still not take action?
Mr Jung: You have never done that or I have never seen it done while 1 was .here. Usually there is a
recommendation and then it folds but I think what Mr. Belles was recommending is that you make a
recommendation and then reserve the right to supplement that recommendation based on SHPD's
comments.
Ms. Griffin: Is it possible to request more information? What's happening with the chapel the 5 buildings
and so forth that are going to be retained but need repair because that's part of it we don't have.
Mr. Jung: Sure. The 3 options that I gave you guys is: Make the recommendation. Defer it. Or request
more information of the applicant. Right so you can request more information if you would like on
specific buildings that you have concerns with,
Ms. Sheehan: Requesting more information though we still wouldn't get it till the next meeting. If we
requested from the applicant more information it wouldn't come till the next meeting.
Mr. Jung: Right. Ron are there proposed building plans yet or are they still conceptual drawings?
Mr. Ago r: Conceptual drawings.
Mr. Jung: And how descriptive are the conceptual drawings?
Mr. Ago r: They are pretty much depicts the buildings and what they building are going to look like.
Mr. Jung: Is that sufficient? Or what do you want?
Mr. Long: Floor plans and elevations and the site plan.
Ms. Schneider: Those are all in the application, in the big application that everybody didn't get.
Mr. Long: And photos,
Ms. Sheehan: Yes because we haven't been able to do that. What does it look like right now and therefore
what modifications and what it will look like when it is finished and historically we can look at the size,
the building, the shape, whether we have any comments about that alteration. I also think it's important to
know what goes around the building. The whole landscape, it's a whole project and it's mind boggling
but 1 think that what you planned, .how it situates in relation to the next building next door. I feel as Pat
does. There is a lot of questions and if you don't know where you are now because unfortunately we just
didn't get to see it all today. It would be very hard to know that the end result has taken away from
something that exists or added to or not. So I would request more information from the applicant if that is
possible. That would be my suggestion.
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 16
Mr. Jung: Will you explain each of the floor plans of each of the buildings in the application.
Mr. Agor: The application to the Planning Commission?
Mr. Jung: Yes.
Mr. Agor: Yes ok it depicts every building.
Mr. Jung: So we have all the materials submitted to the Commission. It was in electronic form and
everybody didn't get it.
Ms. Schneider: And it would be much easier to review in paper form cause then you can go back and
forth.
Mr. Jung: So it may not be an issue that we need it from you we just need to print it out for them.
Mr. Belies: My point on my comment is I didn't want you to be precluded from offering comments that
we don't control or influence what the Planning Commission ultimately does. Majority of that body
decides when they want to act and what basis they want to act. I guess we do influence in some. in terms
of responding to an application yes they do listen to the Planning Department because they are the
logistical team for the Planning Commission. But at the end of the day they make their own decisions for
their own reasons based on their own collective reasons just as you do. I just didn't want to face the
prospect of by delaying it the Commission may act and then you have lost the opportunity for any
comment and that was my concern when I considered something of a compromise or a hybrid proposal
knowing there are time constraints that everyone is trying to cooperate and help in make this thing work
as best as they can.
Ms. Griffin: So just to make I understand cause the chapel is a place that has significance because of
famous people and you talk in there about how it's going to be repaired. I did not see that cause in what
we are doing like I say the materials, the changes are part of what our job is.
Mr. Ag_or: It's easy to tell you what I am going to do to it.
Ms. Griffin: O% maybe if we defer will you come back and see us?
Mr. Agor: Sure.
Mr. Long: Ok do we have a motion from any of the Commissioners?
Ms. Schneider: I make a motion that we defer for additional information till the next meeting on February
5th
Mr. Long: With the request for additional information? Ok,
Ms. Sheehan: Second.
Mr. Long: It's been moved and seconded all in favor? (Unanimous voice vote).
January 22, 2015 KHPRC Meeting Minutes
Page 17
Ms. Naone: Is there a way for SHPD to disseminate our comments to Commission prior to the next
meeting?
Mr. Jung: Normally what happens is when the planners get them they forward them to Shan who then
distributes them to the Commission.
Ms. Naone: Ok is there a way to include like the archeological monitoring plan or the National Register
Nomination, the documents that we have on file?
Mr. Jung: Yes do you have them in PDF? Cause I am assuming you folks wouldn't want to print them all
out.
Ms.
Naone: Well
we do have a lot of things just to
print
out
and not in PDF but I
am pretty sure these are
is not all together
pretty recent and
we have em. So we could set up a
drop
box
or something will all
of the documents.
Mr. Jung: Well if you set up the drop box then we can open and then print out for these folks.
Ms. Naone: Ok perfect.
Ms. Griffin: Do you have a sense when that would be?
Ms. Naone: I am going to talk to Anna in the morning. We have a meeting. 1
will be able to get more
information from the architecture branch.
We have all three
branches reviewing
for the specific concerns
related to that branch so I apologize that it
is not all together
but definitely within
the next week.
Mr. Long: Thank you.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no New Business.
COMMISSION EDUCATION
There was no Commission Education.
SELECTION OF NEXT MEETING DATE AND AGENDA TOPICS
The next meeting date was scheduled on February 5, 2015
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:51 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Secretary J 2 A R 2415]
Date: N L i