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STATEMENT: <br /> To the members of the County Council: <br /> Re: Bill 178 - Clifto's O'oma Re-zoning <br /> I add my voice, to what 1 hope will be many others, asking that <br /> YOU DO NOT APPROVE ANY RE-ZONING or PLAN FOR <br /> DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PROJECT UNLESS IT REQUIRES <br /> SPECIFICALLY THAT THE SECOND PHASE OF THE QUEEN K <br /> HIGHWAY WIDENING PROJECT (FROM KEALAKEHE PKWY TO <br /> THE AIRPORT) BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO ANY OCCUPANCY <br /> OR USE OF ANY OF THE NEW CONSTRUCTION. <br /> In the past, many projects have been approved by looking at <br /> them individually, with blinders on, and considering only the <br /> legality and technical, land-use correctness of the application. <br /> The result is over development. As the only unit of government <br /> with the necessary authority, it is the duty of the Council to look <br /> at the big picture. While Bill 178 may fall within current rules <br /> and guidelines, its completion prior to the widening of Queen K <br /> would elevate the traffic in that area from "congested-barely- <br /> tolerable" to "congested-totally-intolerable." You must look at <br /> the overwhelming negative impact this project will have on the <br /> existing road and say, "Enough!' <br /> If this project is tied to the Queen K widening, more pressure will <br /> be brought to bear on the state to complete that project. Clifto's <br /> is just in the wrong place at the wrong time...a risk all <br /> developers take. ff he has operated in good faith so far, I have <br /> sympathy for him; but not so much sympathy as I would have <br /> for all of Kona should his project go forth and dump enormous <br /> numbers of cars and trucks onto the already overused road. <br /> Delaying this project will not end the current growth pattern of <br /> <br /> the Big Island, nor will it bankrupt Clifto's...they will survive and <br /> go onto profrt...only in due time, and in concurrence with <br /> infrastructure improvements. <br /> <br />