COM 0045.025 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Honorable Leningrad Elarionoff, Chair and Members of the Committee on Planning COUNTY COUNCIL Page 4 December 15, 2003 density in Honaunau (H-5), and the "Hawaiian Riviera" project (I-3). In the same vein, there is the proposed "Conservation" area at Keopuka and around Kealakekua Bay, H-1. While we will have growth and development on the island, and the General Plan allows for that, we must also preserve coastal open space and viewplanes, and recreational areas and sites of cultural importance, long-term. This is the main reason for these proposed changes. There is naturally concern about the potential economic effect of changes like these. Unless we actively protect open space and environmental quality, we will lose the things that lure visitors and new residents. More directly, for at least the next ten years, and probably well beyond, projected increases in visitor amvals can easily be absorbed in hotel rooms that currently go vacant, and in the additional inventory that will come from the renovation of the Kona Surf, and various timeshare and smaller hotel projects that are currently moving forward. Hotel occupancy rates on the island have long lagged behind the state average. There is a general trend that more visitors are being accommodated in timeshares, B&B's, vacation rentals, and on cruise ships. At the same time, the proposed LUPAG map changes will simplify land use approvals within the existing major resort areas, which are being changed from a mix of uses to a "resort node" LUPAG map category. Although the landowners can speak for themselves, it is my understanding that the Kohanaiki, Keopuka, and Honaunau landowners do not object to these proposed LUPAG map amendments. The deletion of the "Hawaiian Riviera" is also meant to restore some credibility to the LUPAG maps. The landowner has done nothing in the last few years to get the remaining entitlements it needs to develop the project. The concept upon which the General Plan "major resort" designation was granted in the late 1980's is not viable.