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Thursday, February 16, 2006 Page 2 of 2 <br /> airline ramp area helps create this new discipline for the Big Island which is a great community <br /> educational benefit. <br /> 5.) As the Keahole AirporC tenant airlines expand flights, the close proximity of the Community <br /> college would create an additional labor pool for the expanding airlines. <br /> 6.) A Campus of 500 Acres as proposed could accommodate multiple student and faculty housing <br /> projects. These would move additional vehicular traffic out of town. <br /> 7.) Another Community benefit to be reaped from the proposed development will be the placement <br /> of infrastructure water, electricity, and sewage for the college location. <br /> 8.) The final benefit that has the greatest value is the "Promise" to build '1"emporary Buildings to <br /> immediately replace the exact square footage cun~ently in use at the West Hawaii campus in <br /> Kealakekua. This savings to the UH System is valued at almost $300,000 in annual lease rent. <br /> These facilities would reverC back to the developers at some later date, yet the immediate benefit <br /> is the campus could be moved to this larger site acrd be up and running without any State of <br /> I lawaii or Board of Regents approval or funding. <br /> It is my belief that this proposed development is of great importance to our community for the reasons [ <br /> have described in my written testimony today. <br /> Concerns of the additional traffic this development will create are mitigated as 1 described by the fact <br /> that a public bus route could be added to service the campus and student housing areas and the airport. <br /> <br /> Further. the size of the proposed acreage (500 acres) to be provided by the developers is of significant <br /> value to a community that is trying to limit the density of land use. <br /> Finally, the underlying concern regarding the language of the developer's agreement that has been <br /> publically discussed as written as if the developers could change their minds and not complete the <br /> proposed community benefits is without merit. 'the development team and principles have their integrity <br /> on the line with these promises. <br /> Che Planning Committee should approve this project. The community benefits escecd any impacts this <br /> project would create. <br /> Thank You for the opportunity to submit this testimony. <br /> Kirk Stephenson <br /> 75-5810 Nalukai Place <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br /> 1°elephone (808) 329-1924 Finail-Captkirko(aaol.com <br /> mhtml:file://C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\bj Soriano\Local%20Settings\Temporary%... 4/26/2006 <br /> <br />