REP PC 086 04/20/2004 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Communication 438 Bill 198 Page 2 • State Law enables counties to approve amendments to State District Classifications for parcels under 15 acres in size. The subject property for this re-districting request is 14.533 acres in size. • The subject property, while curcently within the State Land Use Agricultural Zoned Districts, has been used only periodically for pasture activities. • The County Zoning for the property up until 1996 was unplanned. In 1996 it was re- designated Agricultural 5-acre. A Change of Zone Request, Bill No. 199, is being processed concurrently. • The reclassification action complements the Housing goals, objectives and/or policies articulated in the Hawaii County General Plan by developing housing and opportunities. • The LUPAG designation for the area is Urban Expansion. The proposed use is consistent with the urban form as well as existing uses established for this area. Your Committee first considered this matter on February 3, 2004. At that meeting, both verbal and written testimonies requesting a public hearing be held in Kona were received. Planning Director Chris Yuen and Greg Mooers, representative for Nani Kona Aina, LLC, also provided the committee with background information about the origins and purpose of Bill No. 198. During discussion, Mr. Yuen explained that the application received a favorable recommendation from the Planning Department because the request coincided with the land use designation for the area. Further, he stated that the traffic problems in the area were pre-existing and an ongoing problem that could not be rectified by this project alone. Post discussion, members of this Committee voted to defer action on Bill No. 198 until after a public hearing was held in Kona. On March 8, 2004, at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, this Committee conducted a Planning Committee Public Hearing. At this hearing, members of the public presented testimony against the legislation. Mr. Yuen and Mr. Mooers were also on hand and delivered presentations about the project. At today's meeting, your Committee circulated written communications and received verbal testimony relating to the legislation and accompanying Bill 199. Mc Mooers, assisted by Mc Fred Cowell, fielded questions from this Committee regarding the proposed development and related water and roadway improvements. Mr. Mooers also reassured members of this committee that this request was not segmentation as suggested by public testimony statements. During discussion, several Committee members expressed concern over the generation of traffic and the overall impact of this project on the region. Other members suggested that The project would fulfill a need for housing in the area and, therefore, would serve as a benefit to the public.