COM 0042.030 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FROM :LRULIMR PUNK GRRDEN FRX N0. :808 966-7421 Jan. 02 2005 03:28PM Pl Comments on Bill 1¢3! Draft 1. Count General Plan ~ - ~`~G~%L'~ Yj~nia As~te.13-631 I.eilani Avenue. Pa1.or. 965~~i9/FAX My comments will be directed to the various sections of the County General Plan that deal with specific concerns in Puna: Transportation, Land Use, ~ Economics, and Recreation. Having worked for 18 months on the Puna = Community Developmettt Plan, I would like to see the recommendations of that plea facilitated by this General Plan. CONNECITVITY AND TRANSPORTATION There is a lesson to be learned from the traffic congestion generated by lack of connectivity and the absence of schools and services within subdivisions. Inattention to planning in Kailas.Kona, adding resorts and residential - subdivisions without counting the number of vehicles that would accompany such development, and without creating connectivity between developments and existing villages, was irresponsible and costly. In the end, the congestion may discourage tourists from selecting Kona as a destination. Similar congestion is becoming apparent in the Puna District. There is little question that build-out will continue at 10% per year or more. We must cluster development off the highways, within our subdivisions - or we will require at least 10 more lanes of expensive pavement to cant' people out of their driveways, onto the highway, to jobs, schools, services and shopping. It is less expensive to create connectivity using existing roadways, and to create bikeways and public transportation, than it is to pay for new highways. Creating more highways creates more congestion. PARADOX Some efforts have been made to accommodate increased growth in pone,; a new district park in Pahoa, provision of standpipes for potable drinking water, increased routes for public transportation with free rides for two years, and a recycling station. Most have been accomplished with federate funding. The County of Hawaii is caught in a double bind It can fail to plan and allow the situation to become so critical that the federal. government will supply funds for remedies. However, in recent years, much of the federal funding has dried up and if federal money is forthcoming, taxpayers must pay a share. On the other hand, if the County does specify solutions in its plan, voters may expect action. This may require tax increases, and may create a stalemate at the bahlot box. Comm. No. ~.'~Q Ref. To: he G Ref. Date .~dhl__. ~ _ 7(15