COM 0106.012 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FROM 7CIP FRX N0. Rpr. 12 2605 88: 3.. Hfl F'~ James Cohn Page 2 The so called 'connector road', which is touted as an infrastructure and traffic improvement, is within a quarter of a mile of the existing connector to Kuakini Highway. The really important connectors' mauke and makai from this location are not in place, do not exist, and there is no provision or timetable as to when they will be built, if ever. Perhaps I should ask you to remember the Lako Street extension? A high-density development, by its very nature, packs more people into less area. Add that group to the overburdened infrastructure in this area, and, remember the already approved and permitted, but as yet, unbuilt projects, and the problem becomes worse. Mr. Yuen's philosophy is that people should live and shop where they work. Perhaps the resorts should be compelled to provide affordable housing? Or, perhaps we should esk where their `in kind or in leiu fees' have gone? Or can't anyone remember? Where is the protection for buyers or renters tha# their housing will continue to be 'affordable'? Unless the land is controlled by the County or State, as in a lease, the properties will be subject to market forces and the costs to owners and renters will rise. What is affordable today may be different in as little as one year! We will all have to live with the impacts much longer. I would ask you to recall a project that was billed as being an 'affordable' opportunity for small farmers in Ka'u. Once it was zoned as such, the applicant, Mr. Hester, changed his mind. I believe he changed it again, but that's how it goes, he may change his mind yet again, remember? Why would anyone who lives in South Kona want to give up their lifestyle, their property, their land, the yard. animals, the place for their boat, and move to a densely configured urban apartment complex, just se they can get a little smaller piece of paradise? Especially when the county is willing to fund their transportation from Ocean Vew to the Resorts with free bus transportation? Simply put, this is another example of un-coordinated spot zoning, and under the present circumstances, it would be a disaster for the people of Kona. It lacks the concurrency and provisions that would make it an asset to the community. The arguments put forth for the development of this project are just that, arguments. 1 ask you io not be so short sighted, and to look beyond this project and to take responsibility for the true needs of this area.