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NOTES FOR COUNTY COUNCIL 7-23-04 BILL 178 CLIFTO'S KONA COAST O'OMA PROJECT Cory Harden, Box 10265, Hilo 96721 968-8965 mh~interpac.net I'm trying to make sense out of things, but I'm having a hard time. Today's vote on Bill 178 was supposed to be deferred 90 days-till August 4. But the vote is being taken today, almost two weeks early. The people affected by Bill 178 are in Kona. But this meeting is in Hilo, as was the April meeting on the bill. In January, over 250 people came to a meeting in Kona, many to speak against Clifto's project. In April, you heard 3 hours of public testimony, mostly from Kona residents against the project. Over 200 cards and letters have come in against the project. But the project is still being considered. None of the criteria for a project district are being met-such as establishing a continuity in land uses, and not causing substantial adverse impact in the surrounding area. But a project district is being considered anyway. . Once rezoned, the land may be sold, and we don't know what the new owner might build. But rezoning may proceed anyway. There's plenty of commercial zoned property near the city. Urban sprawl is not welcomed by residents or tourists. But we're talking about taking land far from the city, and rezoning It for commercial use. Queen Kaahumanu Highway is over capacity. It may be seven years, or more, before it is widened. But Clifto~i's project, which may add 1000 more cars a day, is still being considered. Mayor Kim felt so strongly about rezoning along a highway already filled to capacity that he came in person to speak to the Council, discussed a moratorium on building permits till infrastructure catches up, and said he will veto Bill 178. But the bill is being considered again anyway. The project will bring traffic jams to thousands of people, and profit to only a few. But the project is being considered anyway. None of this makes sense. Please vote down Bill 178. ft~~~~ ~ ~uns~r Ref. T®• Pe~~~ Ref. t2at~