COM 0560.000 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 4 The Planning Department received a letter dated December 12, 2003 from the Sunriseridge Homeowner's Association (Exhibit N, Background Report) objecting to the proposal that apartments be developed in this area, stating that "Homes and lots in our area begin in the $350,000 price range. They range from 10,000 square foot and up lot sizes. Your planned housing should be of similar size and value." The General Plan, on the other hand, states that the County should strive to have a mix of housing types and opportunities. The City of Hilo needs additional housing opportunities for all income groups, including those not able to afford single-family homes. The Land Use element of the General Plan also states that urban -type uses shall be developed in areas adequately served by essential services and other infrastructure. These services and infrastructure are vitally important to areas being developed for urban uses. Essential services and infrastructure, which include electricity, sewer, water, and roads, are or can be made available to the area. From the comments received from agencies, various improvements would be required for the development of this project. Therefore, conditions will be included to assure that these services and infrastructure are provided in a timely manner to accommodate the uses proposed in this Project District. With the requirement that the applicant provide these essential services and infrastructure, the granting of this change of zone would not unreasonably burden the public agencies to provide roads and streets, sewer, water, drainage improvements and police and fire protection to accommodate the development of this project. The request for a Project District will not result in a substantial adverse impact upon the surrounding area, community or region. The property is located within well- established residential areas that are zoned for single-family residential use. In close proximity to the property are lands zoned and developed for commercial uses, such as the medical facilities located immediately makai of Komohana Street. The applicant's objective is to develop a mixed-use project while still protecting the important cultural and environmental resources of the area. The applicant has recognized the benefits of planning and designing a project in a manner that is sensitive to the natural features and unique heritage of the land. The overall design theme provides generous open space with active and passive type recreational uses. This open space area will consist of approximately 49 acres that will include the Alenaio Stream drainageway. The project proposal is to improve the banks of the drainageway for use as a linear park with the provision of bicycle and pedestrian pathways. The southeastern side of the drainageway will be designated for open space and active recreational uses.