2020-12-17 Leeward Exh A (Public Testimony re AMEND SMA 388)

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CARR SMITH: Thank you. Let's begin with you, Judith. Go ahead and, as I stated, please keep to three minutes. Go ahead. Thank you. RUFFNER: My husband and I are in a condo located directly across Kahakai Road from the property described in SMA388. I'm here to request that you deny DRI's request for a fourth five-year time extension on this permit. DRI should be required to apply for a new SMA permit for several reasons. First, DRI clearly intends to change the proposed use of the land from a commercial building with middle-income residential housing to a timeshare development. The original SMA was approved in 1998 for a commercial space with 48 residential units, which would house approximately 192 residents. The approval specifically stated that the proposed use would compliment several goals of the General Plan, including providing suitable living environments for island residents, attaining safe, sanitary and livable housing for residents of Hawaii County, and creating viable communities for our people. DRI now intends to build timeshares at Grand Kona Resort as indicated on its most recent plans submitted in 2017. Given that the Hawai i County Planning Department recently required all short-term vacation rental owners to pay $500 and spend numerous hours of applying for an STVR permit, purportedly to free up more long-term rental housing for local residents, I'd like to ask why DRI should deserve an extension to build timeshares instead of middle-income housing as originally approved on the SMA permit. Second, DRI's proposed plans include 46 three-bedroom timeshare units, with sitting rooms and living rooms that could accommodate up to 10 guests per unit for a total of 460 guests. This dramatic increase in the number of occupants from 192 to 460 should be CAMERO: One minute left. RUFFNER: evaluated for its environmental impact on this sensitive coastal zone area, as well as its potential safety implications in a tsunami evacuation zone. Finally, I'm greatly disturbed by DRI's lack of transparency. Nearby property owners have received four letters in the past two years from DRI's planning consultant that included a description and floorplan for Alii Gardens, the commercial and residential structure originally approved in 1998; however, new building plans for timeshares at Grand Kona were submitted and approved in 2017. I don't know if repeatedly providing this outdated information is deliberate or an oversight. Regardless, the information is misleading and fails to alert the community about the proposed use and potential impact of DRI's most recent development plans. Please deny this request. Thank you. CARR SMITH: Thank you very much, Judith, appreciate your testimony. RUFFNER: Thank you. CARR SMITH: Alex, go ahead, three minutes. DUNCAN: - - - 2 EXHIBIT A