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Aaron S.Y. Chung, Council Chair <br /> and Members of the County Council <br /> County of Hawaii <br /> Page 13 <br /> The proposed changes to ordinance conditions are necessary to: (1) conform the <br /> Palamanui project to the KCDP and the master plan created in compliance with the <br /> KCDP; (2) facilitate the continued development of the UH-West Hawaii campus and <br /> align the construction of the Palamanui project with the planned University Village; and <br /> (3) update the Palamanui project to current market demand and conditions, including <br /> traffic conditions. Specifically, Palamanui is requesting that completion of roadway <br /> improvements is triggered with the actual traffic impact or need generated by the <br /> development, as supported by the 2017 Traffic Assessment. <br /> Despite the extremely difficult economic times since 2008, Palamanui has <br /> honored its commitments and spent substantial funds to make its project and the UH- <br /> West Hawaii campus a reality. These proposed amendments will allow that investment <br /> and work to continue, so that Hawaii Island residents can someday soon enjoy a project <br /> that will provide unique educational, housing, and shopping benefits on the Kona coast. <br /> A Project District may be established whenever the public necessity and <br /> convenience and the general welfare require that a comprehensive planning <br /> approach for an area should be adopted. <br /> Project District zoning is intended to provide for a flexible and creative planning <br /> approach rather than specific land use designations. It will also allow for flexibility over <br /> time in the location of specific uses and mixes of structural alternatives. The planning <br /> approach would establish continuity in land uses and designs while providingfor <br /> or a <br /> comprehensive network of infrastructure facilities and systems. A variety of uses as well <br /> as open space, parks, and other project uses are intended to be in accord with each <br /> individual Project District objective. A Project District is an amendment to Chapter 25, <br /> Zoning Code, which changes the district boundaries in accordance with the individual <br /> Project District. <br /> As previously stated, since the Palamanui Project District was approved in 2006, <br /> the applicant has taken several steps in developing the property in accordance with the <br /> terms or conditions of approval, including investing more than $22 million towards the <br /> construction of the UHWH and related road, water and electrical infrastructure. The <br /> applicant also spent considerable time and money to create an updated Master Plan or <br /> "Regulating Plan"that is consistent with the design concepts and many of the policies of <br /> the Kona CDP, which was adopted in 2008 just before adoption of Ordinance No. 09 132 <br /> and amended in 2019. Additionally, the applicant has prepared a water master plan, rough <br /> graded roadways, and continues to implement the Integrated Natural Cultural Resource <br /> Management Plan to protect the lowland dry forest preserve and other natural and <br /> cultural resources on the property. <br />