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PUBLIC HEARING <br /> Tuesday, April 12, 2004 - 6:00 PM <br /> Suffolk Investment, LLC & Pua'a Development, LLC <br /> Pualani Makai Development Project <br /> Bills 29, 30, 31, & 32 <br /> "testimony from Barbara Scott <br /> Thank you for holding a Public Hearing for comment on this project. There are concerns about <br /> <br /> this project, and advantages. The idea of more shopping options is agreeable, but another project <br /> advantage-the prospect of affordable housing units-is unrealistic. <br /> Mayor Kim and Planning Director Yuen have stated that housing should be concentrated where <br /> the jobs are located, while the idea of promoting employment opportunities in other districts has <br /> escaped their attention. The demand for housing in North Kona has driven housing costs beyond <br /> the reach of many who work here. While policy dictates increasing housing opportunities, it <br /> would be more reasonable to base affordable housing costs on the average incomes of those who <br /> work here not on the incomes of those who can afford to live here. <br /> One oCthe obvious problems related to development in Kailua-Kona is the daily traffic jams. but <br /> there are two not-so-obvious problems with the Pualani Makai Project and other projects <br /> developed in this area. <br /> 1. The proposed project is located in the Waiaha Floodway. The developer has requested a <br /> CLOMR (Conditional Letter of Map Revision). The action requests a letter from FEMA <br /> commenting on whether the proposed project, if built as proposed, would justify a Flood <br /> Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) revision, or proposed hydrology changes. <br /> A CLOMR action requires the authorization of the County floodplain administrator. <br /> [Hawai'i County Code Section 27-I S designates the Director of Public Works, Bruce <br /> McClure, as the floodplain administrator.] <br /> The flood history in the Waiaha area indicates that severe flooding includes floodway <br /> overFlow, flash flooding, and debris (lows. Any engineering to alter the floodway would <br /> not be immune to earthquake damage or undermining by volumes of rushing water. <br /> Before endorsing the CLOMR, or basing decisions on the CLOMR request, please <br /> consider comments from the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the <br /> Kona Soil and Water Conservation District (KSWCD). Those offices have promoted <br /> caution for development in flood prone areas and are updating flood hazard maps. <br /> Since the CLOMR purpose is to change the Flood Rate Insurance Map, it would also be <br /> prudent to learn what property owners will pay in required flood insurance rates at that <br /> property location. <br /> comm. No. (O(,.21 <br /> Ref. To: rf~G <br /> R:,f. Jate APR 1 2 2~~ <br /> <br />