Applicant Response Letter to Leeward Commission dated 12-1-21

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SidneyFuke, Planning Consultant M= Ale •Planning•Variance•Zoning 100 Pauahi Street,Suite 212•Hi{o,Hawaii 9fi720 •subdivision•Land Use Permits Telephone:(808)969-1522 Cell:(808)989-0640 •Environmental Reports "�,,,\jap"w E-mail:sidfuke@hawaiiantel.net November 22, 2021 Mr. Paul Ferreira, Chief Police Department COUNTY OF HAWAI'I 349 Kapi'olani Street Hilo,HI 96720-3998 Dear Chief Ferreira: SUBJECT: KUMU HOU AT WAIKOLOl1, APPLICANT: WAIKOLOA I-,AND COMPANY TAX MAP KEY: 6-9-008:013 POR.), 021, 022, 025, 027 (POR.), 028 (POR.), 029 (POR.), 031 (POR.), and 033 Thank you very much for taking time out of your bu:y schedule to discuss the subject matter with me on November 19, 2021. The discussion foct sed on the attached memorandum, dated August 24, 21, from Assistant.Police Chief, Chad Bas lue,to the Planning Department commenting on the subject applications. r—. While the memorandum noted that your department lad"no objections to offer at this time," it did add that "the increase in population resulting)-om 1000+ time share units will lead to an increased burden on public safety services such as po,ice and fire/rescue". During the course of the November 18 hearing before the Leeward Plai using Commission,the Planning Director noted that the Police Department has an office at tl.e County Fire Station located along the Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway,just north of the Mauna I rani Resort. Notwithstanding that comment,the Chair requested the applicant to specifically z ddress the proposed project's "increased burden on public safety services." In discussing this matter,you noted that: a. While the Police Department has space at the re.'erenced Fire Station, it is neither a staffed station nor sub-station. The space is use 1 only to enable your officers to write reports and perform other clerically-related fun(tions. You have no intention of staffing that facility and instead continue to util ze the stations in Waimea and Kona to service this area and region. b. The key to enhancing public safety in this area,>r region is not the physical infrastructure like a new building; rather, it is h;wing adequate and trained personnel. This,however, is a matter that can be addressee only through securing additional funding through the County's operating budget.