REP PC 054 02/14/2006 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Communication 362 Bill 123 Page 6 of 13 residents and patrons of the proposed development; 12. This development will exacerbate a change in character in the community, making it less like a village and more like Miami Beach; and 13. A descendent of the original owner expressed concern over possible family burials on the property. Chairman Hoffmann asked if any members of the public present at the hearing were in favor of the proposed development: no one indicated their support. Bill No. l23 was discussed again at the November 8 Planning Committee meeting. Your Committee is concerned that the proposed change in zoning will exacerbate traffic conditions while doing little to provide affordable housing in Kona. At the February l4, 2006 meeting of the Committee on Planning there were no testifiers at the Hilo and Waimea Council offices. In Kona there was one testifier, Joel Gimpel representing the Kona Traffic & Safety Council, in opposition. There were 8 written testimonies submitted via email in opposition, from the following members of the public: I . Marjorie Erway (opposed until infrastructure in place) 2. Josephine Keliipio (opposed, unless developer puts in driveway to Kuakini) 3. Jerry Schneyer (opposed -infrastructure already overburdened) 4. Lillian Fox {opposed - no development without concurrent infrastructure) 5. Karin Johnson (opposed -need to improve infrastructure first) 6. Candice and Steven Ramond (opposed until infrastructure in place) 7. Larry Johnson (opposed) 8. Steve Lopez (opposed -infrastructure overburdened) Mr. Gimple testified he recalled the public hearing where none of the of the 7 written and 14 testifiers supported the proposal. Applicant's proposal should be entertained only if infrastructure in place first. Spoke of the necessity of a maukalmakai connector in Pua`a and that it would enhance safety, act as atraffic-calming device and improve level of service at intersections. He concluded the project has a dysfunctional relationship with the big picture and that due to the limited road capacity in the immediate area and greater Kailua-Kona. Approval of more projects that create additional demands for road capacity should await for a Road Master Plan. Council Member Hoffman stated he had no objection to the commercial aspect of the project as long as infrastructure was in place before occupancy. Planning Director Chris Yuen appeared in Kona and testified in support of the rezoning. He stated the Planning Department has been working with the developer in this application and that this case is not a choice between "develop" or "not to develop". If the Council decides not to approve, Applicant can still go ahead and construct a 48-unit condo. The only difference is there would be no commercial element to the project. He stated the subject property was rezoned in PC REPORT NO. 54