2006-01-06 TGARDNER - Laserfiche WebLink

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in the area. And that need will be driving our desire to participate with the County to further develop the commercial zoning to, you know, address these needs as the future grows. We also feel that at this moment in time, a very interesting moment in time, 2006 as we enter it, the forces for development that are occurring along this corridor from Keaau to Pahoa are very similar to the forces of development that guided the development of places such as the San Fernando Valley. And we see this application, in a general way, as the opportunity for a precedent to allow commercial development along our corridor from Keaau to Hilo and that that precedent once granted would enhance other applications to the development 10, 20, 30 years from now of what would be, could be, I couldnt say would be, but could be, you know, a sea of strip malls, you know, and flashing lights, you know, running up and down the highways. Weve seen this before in other places. I have been fortunate in my life personally to live in places that had very long-term strategic planning in place, in Europe, for example; and the differences can be really startling. Nowwehaveanagriculturaldistrictwhichbydecisionsmadedecadesagohaveendoweditwith a lot of lots which will be developed. And the concerns of traffic and the commercial needs, how to create appropriate commercial development are all issues that we all have to pay attention to, and Main Street is going to be paying attention to. We think that some of the commercial development weve seen in the areas such as Orchidland taking place off of the highway is very appropriate. And were not here to oppose development for opposition sake. With the applicant, which we dont know personally at all, indicating a 2 to 3 million dollar commitment for a self storage facility, we think that thats a very high level of commitment to a business which we suspect will be very successful; and we think that that commitment should and would appropriately be best placed with more of a commitment to a better location. So our opposition is actually general to the whole corridor of Keaau-Pahoa. We think that the bypass when it was created redefined the nature of Pahoa Village which we now look at as from bypass point to the high school, rather than just a narrow little section of the old town. And we think that with the proper energies put forth for zoning within that loop of the town for light industrial or urban, commercial growth, that the Village of Pahoa would be enhanced. Now the traffic issues were very concerned about as well as the applicant is on a curve. Were also concerned about the adjacent property which we feel is a nonconforming illegal use and is representing hazards that should not be allowed to continue. Were not here to address that here at this application. And that would basically be my statement. ALAMEDA:Thank you. And this is, just to make note that we cannot backtrack on testimonies, so if you have anything else to say now is the time, unless our Commissioners have questions later on. TUCKER:Im finished with mine. Thank you. ALAMEDA:Okay. Any questions for our testifier? Commissioner Galdones. 11EXHIBIT B