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DONALD IKEDA Phone: (808) 961- 8261 C'ouncilmember ~ FAX: (808) 961-8912 i •••~yOi•M'i~ C'ounry of Hawaii Hawai `i Counry Building 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 209 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 c_ January 18, 2005 MEMORANDUM TO: Gary Safazik, Chairman K. Angel Pilago and Pete Hoffmann, Co-Chairs, Committee on Planning and Members of the Council From: Donald Ikeda, Councilmember Re: Bill 163 -General Plan I am requesting that the proposed LUPAG Map amendment, B-13, be deleted, and the land so designated be kept at its original designation, Low Density Urban. The proposed amendment would change the designation of the area from its current designation of Low Density to Important Agriculture Land. The stated rationale for the change is that the lands in the area are considered to be important agriculture land, and that there are ample lands in the immediate vicinity for future residential use. The property owners affected by the proposed change in designation have communicated their concerns to me. Their property is in the Puueo-Amaaulu azea. A section of the lower portion of the land is currently designated Medium Density Urban, while rest remains in the current Low Density designation. They planted a large portion of their property with fruit trees, and remain committed to the farming of these trees. However, the majority of the parcel is not in agricultural cultivation or production. The owners aze currently working with planners to develop portions of the property into single-family and ag lots of varying size. There are also tentative plans to develop elderly and/or multi-family housing to address the needs of the growing population. The property owners feel that the suitability of an area for agricultural use needs to be balanced with the area's appropriateness for development, taking in to consideration the surrounding land,I Comm. No. 2•~V~ Ref. To:proseatef Ref. Lary 1 20~ Hairni'i Caunt}~ is an Equal Opportunity Provider anAlimpfoyer