COM 0964.097 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF BILL 309, DRAFT 4 BY DAVID TARNAS, MARINE AND COASTAL SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. PLANNING CONSULTANT TO JACOBY DEVELOPMENT, INC. OCTOBER 24, 2006 Aloha Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of Bill 309 Draft 4, Interim General Plan Amendment E-4, which amends the Hawaii County General Plan for the Kealakehe makai lands from "Open" to "Urban Expansion Area." Among the lands covered under Amendment E-4, there are over 300 acres of DLNR land adjacent to Honokohau Harbor that are under a development agreement between DLNR and Jacoby Development, Inc.. Designating these DLNR lands as Urban Expansion Area is consistent with the land use designation of adjacent lands, specifically the 200-acre parcel under the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands which is already designated Urban Expansion Area. Designating these DLNR lands as Urban Expansion Area is also consistent with the community plans for this area in the Keahole to Kailua Development Plan as the new regional urban center for Kona, with an expanded harbor complex, a new road connecting the harbor to Kailua Village, and shoreline park. Under separate agreements with DLNR and DHHL, Jacoby Development is planning a project to expand the harbor basin, and develop a mixed-use urban expansion project around the new harbor including commercial, hotel, timeshare, and marina-related industrial activities, as well as community and open space. The development, called Kona Kai Ola, is being designed to support the necessary financing of the substantial public infrastructure that is part of the project, including the new harbor, the connector road to Kailua Village, improved water and sewer systems, as well as other community infrastructure including a major shoreline park, cycling and walking paths, community areas and a cultural park within the development project, itself. This harbor-front commercial village seeks to provide a stable employment base close to residential growth areas planned for Kona. While hotel and timeshares are included among the mix of land uses under the agreements with DHHL and DLNR, permanent housing on these lease lands is specifically prohibited under the agreements. Workforce housing that will be required of the project could potentially be developed mauka in the same or adjacent ahupua'a, and connected by a shuttle service to the makai lands. In this way, Kona Kai Ola hopes to create a sustainable ahupua'a, where people can live, work, play and learn. Using smart growth design principles, this collaborative project of DHHL, DLNR and Jacoby Development, Inc. intends to create a community-friendly place for residents and visitors alike, that uses the best in transportation planning, environmentally-sensitive and energy-efficient design. Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of Bill 309 Draft 4, Amendment E-4. Comm. No. A __01 0 Ref. To:Pros~dN~ L Ref. Uote O CT 2 2- 2005 Tarnas testimony on Bill 309 Draft 4, Amendment E-4 p. 1 of]