COM 0056.010 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Re. Hawaii County Cou4 Its 220 and 221 1 /4/07 I only learned of this hearing late yesterday afternoon, and I'm so glad that I did. My name is Clara J. Nahooikaika. My husband Wilfred and I are the owner /occupants of 15-2591 Keaau Pahoa Highway (aka Hwy 130), which is adjacent to the property that Mr. Gardner is trying to get rezoned. I wish my husband was able to be here but he is in Honolulu due to a death in the family. I will be our voice today in opposition of Mr. Gardner's application for rezoning. Wilfred was born and raised in Hilo but after military service remained in Kailua, Oahu, the place of my roots. Many times throughout our 40+ years of marriage he would tell me he wanted us to move back "home", especially after his retirement from Honolulu Fire Department. In our early years I was adamantly uninterested; then reluctant; and then five and a half years ago myjob was offering voluntary reassignments. With an empty nest and my parents and brothers deceased, I was ready. Now Pahoa is where I live and where I work. We looked at over 50 properties in east Hawaii, but I wanted to live in my community, and was thrilled to find this beautiful property. I was from Oahu so although I wanted country, I wasn't comfortable with living in an area that was too remote. This old anthurium farm was the perfect location; big, green, beautiful, county water, easily accessible and close to work. We settled in our new home in September 2001, and developed such aloha for this place. It is the pertect haven for our children, grand children and great grand children to call home, and where we planned o spend the rest of our lives. In three years the property next door changed ownership three times. Two of the previous owners lived there briefly but it was their stepping stone to making some money in resale in order to buy elsewhere. The third owner, Mr. Gardner never lived here although he later stated he had intentions to but that the planned emergency services and public complex changed his mind. We heard that he first bought it for his son and also that his wife had no desire to live here. He rented the dwelling soon after purchasing and pursued this self storage endeavor a few months later. We even offered to purchase the property. He has tried several times to get us to embrace his project but plain and simple, we are opposed to it. It's nothing personal. It's just not the right thing to do. Originally he discussed the idea with my husband only, and at the time Wilfred had not objected until he told me about the project and we discussed my concerns. Wilfred quickly realized the issues at hand. As it turns out a lot of other people have discovered the space and character that Puna offers. Deteriorating traffic conditions on Hwy 130 is proof. The impatient, rude, and even reckless behaviors that I've witnessed on this road combined with the growing number of vehicles are unbelievable. Mr. Gardner says an average of 32 vehicles would enter the facility daily according to a national survey of storage facilities. Igo in and out of my driveway at least once daily, on occasion twice. The difference in numbers is like chewing gum and nuts. Throw in all the other businesses that could evolve from a precedent setting vote and we've oot a nightmare. Hwy 130 has been on the State's list of roadways for a high rate of accidents and fatalities. Careful Ip arming and vision are imperative which I am hopeful that this Council recognizes. The County Planning Commission did when they made their unfavorable recommendation last spring. Did anyone read that testimony? Why have commissions if their recommendations aren't going to be considered? Approximately two years ago the neighbor on the Hilo side of us put up a huge sign "Future Home of Black Rock Self Storage". The sign was later removed, however if Mr. Gardner's request were approved, can you imagine your family home surrounded by self storage tacilities on each side? It would open the door to other commercial entities desiring to do business on Hwy 130. Mr. Gardner sent us a letter dated December 30, 2006. He attached a copy of his December 26, 2006 correspondence to Emily Naeole, Hawaii County Council member, which he also sent to the other council members. In the letter he sent us, he said his project would provide us a buffer from the new fire station and public complex. 1t's not his concern for us but a tactic to self us on his Comm. No. 0 i+~ef. To:~r ~2ef, :-ate ~AN~7