REP PC 006 02/01/2005 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Communication 821 Bill 355 Page 2 ? A change of zone request (Bill 356) is being concurrently processed with this request. u The urban district request would be consistent with goals and policies of the land use (industrial) element of the general plan. ? The urban classification also conforms to the standard that the development is within reasonable proximity to centers of trading and employment and to basic services such as schools, police and fire protection, transportation systems and water. ? Urban districts shall include lands characterized by "city-like" concentrations of people, structures, streets, urban level of services and other related land uses. ? The property has no severe geological or topographical problems which cannot be properly rectified or which would render the land unusable. ? While the project site is in the state land use agricultural district and zoned agricultural (A-20a), it is not currently being used for active agricultural purposes. ? The properties are not listed as historic properties in the Hawaii state register of historic places and has not been determined to be eligible for inclusion in the national register of historic places. It is not identified as a significant cultural or historic site in the general plan. Your Committee received two written testimonies in support of Bill 355. Your Committee also heard public testimony from six people. Barbara Hanog is a member of the Pepeekeo Senior Club and spoke in favor of Bill 355. She said that Continental Pacific, LLC took part in meetings with community members on an ongoing basis and tried to resolve issues with community input. Ed Johnston voiced support for the project and read into the record supporting testimonies for Lorraine Mendoza, President of the Pepeekeo Community Association, and Roy Skogstrom, a Pepeekeo resident. Mr. Johnston stated that he was a fanner and had attended numerous meetings with the developers and that these meetings between community members and the developer resulted in positive outcomes. Michael Heya, also a resident of Pepeekeo, said that the owners worked hard with the community to resolve the issue of public access to the fishing areas along the coast. Sarah Moon, a Hilo resident, expressed concern about public access to the shoreline. She commented that adequate public access to the shoreline was not being addressed. Some people would not be able to walk the half-mile from the parking area to the shoreline. She also was concerned about the maintenance of the public access trails and roadways. She also expressed concern about the toxicity of the coal ash pile and the bulldozing in the SMA area. Jan Moon stated that the area was uniquely beautiful and that she was concerned that the developers would not maintain the public access areas. She also said that some of the public access areas needed to be clearly marked and improved (cleared, mowed, and leveled). Claudia Rohr also spoke against the development, citing concerns about the toxic ash pile, contaminated well, and the loss of a ballpark. She also expressed concern about the private agreement between Continental Pacific LLC and the Pepeekeo Community Association. This agreement states that the developer would give the association up to $330,000 from the proceeds of the shoreline property sales. Planning Director Chris Yuen and Steve Lim, representative for the applicant, provided Your Committee with background information about the origins and purpose of Bill No. 355.