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Testimony Against Bill 209 — Galan Re-Zoning Request My name is Mark Hinshaw and I am the current Chair of the Pahoa Regional Town Center Steering Committee. We would like to voice our concerns and reservations pertaining to Bill 209 which seeks to change the Zoning from Single Family Residential to Village Commercial. We request a delay in considering the rezoning of this parcel. The Pahoa Regional Town Center Plan community effort began in November 2011 and citizen working groups convened in May to begin the work of creating the Plan. The Pahoa Plan will include a Design District running the length of Pahoa's central corridor. For this reason our Steering Committee takes an active interest in evaluating new proposals for development in the town center.The Galan property is located along this central corridor, near the historic heart of the design district in old downtown Pahoa. We ask for your consideration of the following concerns and objections: 1. We believe there is reasonable doubt that the currently proposed project, Pahoa Boutiques and Bungalows, will actually come to fruition ... and that if the property is sold by the applicant in lieu of development, the Village Commercial designation would allow the possibility of inappropriate develop- ment within Pahoa's historic district.This speculation is based on our observation that the applicant offered the property in question for sale late last year and its MLS listing stated that the property was undergoing rezoning, presumably as a selling point. In addition, in response to Question 2 in their original Application of Change of Zone submitted to the County of Hawaii and dated 2-28-11, the applicant clearly states their intention to re-sell the property after rezoning is accomplished. Furthermore,the Project Description contained in the "Background Report and Environmental Report For The Application for a Rezoning Request (RS-I0 to CV-lO)TMK: (3) 1-5-011:008& 009", is as follows: "The applicants would like to rezone their lots in order to sell them". If rezoning to Village Commercial is accomplished and the property were to change hands, the new zoning designation could result in the development of any of 48 potential uses including: cemetery, cell towers, strip clubs, bars, and used car lots. Not only are many of the Village Commercial uses inconsistent with our community's intent to establish a design district which includes preservation of Pahoa's historic elements, but they are contrary to the stated goal of the Puna Community Development Plan that"the design character and natural setting of older communities that are representative of Puna's historic development are perpetuated " (Page 2-3,PCDP Chapter Two: Malama I Ka'Aina:Section 2: Historic,Cultural&Scenic Resources:2.1.1:Goals) 2. There appears to be no statement or condition within Bill 209 requiring the land owner to carry through and build the proposed Pahoa Boutiques and Bungalows. 3. We question the proposal for this multi-million dollar development on a relatively small piece of land which provides for only 18 parking spaces. 4. The applicant is an absentee land owner that,to our knowledge, has not met with the Pahoa Regional Town Center Steering Committee, Mainstreet Pahoa Association or any other merchant or community leader to seek feedback regarding their development plans within Pahoa's historic district. 5. And finally, a reminder that the Windward Planning Commission gave Bill 209 an unfavorable recommendation. In conclusion, at this time we ask for a delay in the rezoning of this parcel of land. Please help our community to preserve and perpetuate the historic design character of Old Pahoa Town, in compliance with both the Puna Community Development Plan and the proposed Pahoa Design District . We thank you for your time and consideration.