COM 0560.038 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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18 October 2004 RE: Opposition to Rezoning for University Terrace Project Submitted by: M. Dolly Strazar, Ph.D. 36 Hualilili Street Q j Hilo, HI 96720 /1a,--~~ Personal Background/: 34 years in Hawai' i Professional Historian Former Board Member, Historic Sites Review Board Member, Downtown Improvement Association Member, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce and Japanese and Portuguese Chambers I would like to register opposition to the proposed rezoning for the University Terrace Project for the following reasons: 1. Project zoning of the type proposed is inappropriate in the area it is proposed for. This type of project zoning, if I understand correctly, was developed originally as a means to facilitate resort development or projects in resort development areas of the Big Island. The Komohana/Ponahawai to Mohouli parcel is clearly not this kind of azea. The area mauka of Komohana is predominantly residential from the Wailuku River until it meets the UH-Hilo area; in fact, the area immediately bordering the pazcel on the Hamakua side is old-time residential. Larger scale commercial facilities and higher-rise, transient accommodations are inappropriate for this large part of the interior of the community of Hilo. It threatens the very neighborhood-ish character of the communities it borders and promises to allow for the intrusion of traffic, noise and potential social problems into an area that is currently quiet and stable. (I live 4 to 5 doors away from the edge of the parcel. We've been told there will be a buffer zone between the edge of the parcel and any development, but it is a mere 25-foot buffer zone.) 2. Commercial development of the type planned for this parcel, i.e., in an expanded way by virtue of this rezoning request, will contribute further to the diminishing of downtown Hilo as a commercial center. The pazcel is just about a mile from the bayfront and downtown. For years we have looked towards a revival of downtown Hilo and many citizens are continuing to work for that kind of future for Hilo. Why work against ourselves by placing further large-scale commercial entities in such close proximity to downtown Hilo? Furthermore, we should continue to be aware of the disintegration of Kaikoo Mall as a commercial center. It was so near to downtown FIilo and yet it failed as the commercial development on Kanoelehua expanded. There is enough strip-mall and other commercial and industrial for Hilo along Kanoelehua. We don't need to have it everywhere throughout our community especially since such development does more to Comm. No. S~' g Ref. To: aN~ Ref. Uate