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Communication 680 <br /> Bi11220 <br /> Page 6 of 7 <br /> so it's feasible and works for everybody. Council Member Higa stated he could go either way on <br /> this project and his only problem is working out the entrance and exit to the property. <br /> Director Yuen noted there wasn't anything in the General Plan amendments to specifically address <br /> this and he strongly opposes the application. He said the General Plan map for Pahoa has a very <br /> broad urban expansion area and he would not recommend approving the request in Bill 220 <br /> changing the designation from agriculture to urban which sometimes creates a grey area and <br /> therefore prefers to keep it in agriculture. Mr. Yuen said the reason for his negative <br /> recommendation is because of the traffic problems which are being compounded by the 3,300 <br /> building permits in that area alone. Mr. Yuen said that this is the largest number of permits in any <br /> area on the island. Mr. Yuen noted the entire Pahoa population uses Highway 130 and direct <br /> access from Highway 130 is already difficult. He strongly discourages any commercial activity <br /> directly in and out of Highway 130 and said if this self storage facility is allowed you will have a <br /> stop where people are not expecting one which creates a very dangerous situation. <br /> Council Member Emily Naeole said she grew up in Pahoa and noted several commercial <br /> businesses in the same area and felt that some people have favors and some don't. She said there <br /> are so many new families moving into her community and it's a great thing. Director Yuen <br /> assured Ms. Naeole that there is no issue of favoritism in opposing this application but he is <br /> concerned with commercial activities that already exist. <br /> Council Member Jacobson stated more uses are being placed on this highway and until the State <br /> lowers the speed limit, he looks at a policy that states it is clearly for the public's benefit but that <br /> this application is an economic benefit that results in loss of agricultural land to urbanization. <br /> Council Chair Hoffmann noted that there was strong opposition from the Puna CDP steering <br /> committee in a November 2005 letter and asked applicant whether that has changed. Mr. <br /> <br /> Nishimura stated there was no change from that group and that their position remains the same. <br /> Mr. Hoffmann stated he would be strongly swayed by the sentiments of the Puna CDP and <br /> reserved his final vote at the Council level. At the moment, Mr. Hoffmann said he will vote <br /> against this application. <br /> Council Member Ford stated she cannot support this application. Council Member Higa asked <br /> <br /> Director Yuen if the Director would still oppose this application if access was channeled through <br /> a county facility. Director Yuen stated he would still be opposed because the same problems <br /> <br /> would exist. Council Member Donald Ikeda noted that the more he thought about this <br /> application, he supports the idea. <br /> PC Repoli No. 4 <br /> <br />