COM 0560.026 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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JaZY Os k,~ 4~.•~ ~ Harry Kim Christopher J. Yuen Mayor p J ~ ~ u ~ ~ f U ii Dircclnr •°i ~rE os~M•~ , Roy R. Takemoto ~i~_ i'~. - i Deyury Dirceior ~>aunf~r ~rt£utcti PLANNING DEPARTMENT l01 Pauahi S[reet, Suite 3 Hilo, Hawaii 96720.3043 (808)961-8288 Fax(808)961-8742 October 19, 2004 Honorable Leningrad Elarionoff, Chair and Members of the Committee on Planning COUNTY OF HAWAII 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 Deaz Chair Elarionoff and Members of the Committee on Planning: SUBJECT: BILL 248, DRAFT 3 -UNIVERSITY TERRACE PROJECT I am writing to reiterate the Planning Department's favorable recommendation and support of this proposed rezoning, and to suggest some changes to the conditions of approval in response to public comments and concerns and after some further investigation into the issues. 1. Scale of the Commercial Development. The project's commercial element would provide an alternative retail area for this part of Hilo, as well as an area for the expansion of the commercial office area that now exists on the makai side of Komohana St. The size of the commercial area, though, makes it possible that a "big box" type retailer could be located there, like a Sam's Club or Costco. This could bring considerably more traffic from outside the general area, and cause this project to be a major traffic generator into the area rather than absorbing commercial traffic that cutrently travels to other parts of the city. This is not what the application represented as the type of commercial activity that the project would generate. The Environmental Report states that "low density, pedestrian friendly retail and other office uses are envisioned. These include food, pharmaceuticals, and sundry stores, Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Comm. No. `s~•Z~ Rc:f. To: Fre:eAfsd ,,~f. L ~ _ n .T ~ n ~no4