A plan to redevelop a derelict corner of Hilo was given the go-ahead Thursday, to the consternation of nearby residents.
Despite outcry from neighbors, the Windward Planning Commission approved a request by Big Island developers to rezone a property at the corner of Manono and Lanikaula streets in order to demolish the two dilapidated single-family homes and an abandoned small engine repair shop currently on the site and develop a retail building in their place.
The commission previously discussed the matter in February, when developer Robert Hamilton, a Kurtistown resident, said he has owned the parcel for 21 years and that removing the rundown buildings would be an improvement for the surrounding neighborhood.
Those surrounding neighbors were unconvinced Thursday, however, and decried Hamilton’s proposal to rezone a formerly all-residential area into an industrial-commercial mixed-use area.
In particular, residents were concerned by the potential traffic impacts from developing the parcel. Because the site would be accessible from both Manono and Lanikaula streets, neighbors said entering and exiting their own driveways would become more dangerous.
“Lanikaula Street is already a main hazard,” said Lanikaula resident Wanda Leopoldino. “Between Manono and Kilauea Avenue … there are already many accidents, and it has gotten out of hand. I cannot make a left turn out of my driveway.”
Masayuki Osako raised similar concerns, noting multiple traffic collisions have happened in the area just in the last month since the previous commission meeting.
Next-door neighbor Gail Rhoades said she has her own health concerns related to the project. She said that due to a lung condition, she is forced to keep her windows closed at all times and use air-purifiers, and yet “dust still accumulates.”
“I want to know what mitigation measures will be taken before demolition occurs to meet (Environmental Protection Agency) regulations,” Rhoades said, audibly emotional.
Rhoades added she is worried about the status of underground fuel tanks on the site which had been installed by a previous owner to service trucks stored on the property. While the pumps to the tanks were removed, she said, the tanks were not.
Because of this, she said, the property would need to have a site assessment conducted after the tanks are removed to ensure the ground remains stable to build on.
Rhoades also submitted a letter recommending that the landowner create a $20,000 annual mitigation fund that would pay for cleaning and maintenance measures, as well as other features, such as window awnings, to reduce the impact of the anticipated increase in traffic.
Rhoades’ letter stated she and her husband are prepared to file lawsuits against the county and Hamilton’s Manono Corner LLC if a “vehicle producing business” is allowed on the site. Hamilton’s proposal is vague as to the intended use of the space, only specifying it would consist of a 5,000-square-foot one-story retail building with at least 17 parking stalls.
Ultimately, however, the commission recommended only small changes to Hamilton’s proposal before approving it, most pertinently a requirement that Hamilton inform neighbors about demolition plans at least a week ahead of time, instead of the previous three-day deadline.
Rhoades later told the Tribune-Herald via email she was “outraged” by the commission’s decision, and ridiculed the idea that four more days will be enough time for her to find and hire her own contractor for potential lead dust remediation before demolition.
The commission voted 4-1 in favor of Hamilton’s application, with vice chair Louis Daniele voting against.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
