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<br /> Februazy 18, 2007 <br /> <br /> The Honorable Dominic Yagong <br /> <br /> Page 2 <br /> Parcels not appropriate for housing. It is not felt that it is possible for the land to be <br /> auctioned to be used for affordable housing. The parcels of land proposed for this sale are not <br /> close to necessary infrastructure. This includes adequate roads, water, electricity and sewer, <br /> all of which would be necessazy to serve a housing development. These off-site and on-site <br /> improvement costs would be significantly higher on this land than on other better-situated <br /> sites. High infrastructure costs make it very difficult to create housing that is in the <br /> "affordable" price range. <br /> In addition, this is agricultural land that is not zoned for residential use. It is distant from <br /> major employment centers and services. Using these parcels for higher density housing goes <br /> against the way our lands should be developed according to the County's General Plan. The <br /> General Plan and current Community Development Planning efforts encourage housing to be <br /> built near existing towns and villages ("infill") where adequate infrastructure exists, close to <br /> or within major employment and services centers. It makes sense to build houses for people <br /> near where they can work and shop. That is one reason for pursuit of the County's Waikoloa <br /> workforce housing project presently under development. <br /> Conclusion. I hope it is clear why we continue to support the sale of the County's Hamalcua <br /> lands and have not pursued affordable housing on any of the parcels to date. In closing, I <br /> would like to bring one more idea to your attention. Although not advocated by this <br /> administration, if the Council wants to reexamine the 2002 policy of selling the Hamakua <br /> lands, there is a parcel of approximately 1,040 acres (TMK: 3-4-2-005-001) located next to <br /> and mauka of Mamalahoa Highway just Hilo side of Antone DeLuz Road. No decision to <br /> auction this pazcel has been made. There have been numerous discussions between members <br /> of the administration because there may be a better use for this particulaz parcel. The <br /> Council's Housing Agency has worked closely with the Office of Housing and Community <br /> Development in looking at affordable housing needs and opportunities in our county. We are <br /> open to discussion with the Council on the best disposition of this parcel of land. <br /> Aloha, <br /> Harry Kim <br /> MAYOR <br /> cc: William Takaba, Finance Director <br /> Brad Kurokawa, Deputy Planning Director <br /> <br />