2010-03-05 TPD ENVISION - Laserfiche WebLink

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My concern today with the Downtown Plan is primarily focused on the height limit that they’re wanting to impose. I’m not sure what the basis of that would be other than visionary or esoteric. Some of us purchased our property with, because of the possibility of building a structure that would go vertical rather than horizontal. It addresses several problems. One, parking is a huge issue in Hilo, in my opinion. It can be solved by allowing structures that incorporate parking in their primary floors as you go vertical. That would be my plan on one of my properties. The restriction that they’re asking for would prevent that from happening because in current construction practices a 60-foot height limit really is going to limit you, particular in the tsunami areas to three usable floors at most. So I’d also like to reserve, being that we’re moving this to another date, the opportunity to go ahead and testify in a written form, too. So I guess, real quickly, I was pleased to hear Mr. Kohnen’s opinions.They parallel a lot of mine. I am, I’ve been here 19 years now. I started my life in the islands and went away and came back. I love this place. I think that the point Mr. Koehnen made about change is real. The thing that concerns me the most in the change realm is we have a very weak economy on this island and we need to do things to address that. People in my position tend to try to do things that create jobs and what not and an economy. And, so, and I differentiate between economy and revenue. The other side that needs to be looked at is we have to generate revenue also. As much as we all hate taxes and the cost of government and the cost of life, it amazes me that with the small economy we have on this island and the reality, that we rely on outside revenue rather than revenue we generate. Some of these restrictions that exists now and are going to exist in this plan are going to really impact revenue stream to the government end and economic growth. So I’ll end it at that. Thank you very much for your time. WOODWARD: All right. Thank you very much. Do we have any questions for Mr. Molfino? DOMINGO: Mr. Chairman? WOODARD: Commissioner Domingo. DOMINGO: Thank you for your comments. As you were speaking I was thinking of other areas and other locales where they build their parking structure, as you indicated, on the bottom floor; and perhaps on the floor next to it, they have the retail stores, and on top of the retail stores they have perhaps apartments or living quarters -- and thereby keeping people within the confines of the area and not having a need to travel for long distances of time to go to work. I think that is something that’s taking place in other parts of the country, and perhaps even in Honolulu. And I think here with the strict restrictions with regards to building within a tsunami inundation area, having some strict requirements, that would perhaps in a way be ideal for what you’re talking about, or what I’m speaking. Now in deference to those who were taking part in the formulation of this plan, you know, I respect their opinions and their time and their efforts that they put into this plan. And I don’t know if what you’re saying, what Mr. Koehnen said can still be put together and they can, all of these concerns can co-exist together so that we can have, you know, a place that will be, we can all be proud of. I know when Mrs. Masuhara and Megan came up they were talking about the Hilo that was before, you know, about fixing windows and, we’re talking about fixing windows and everything. So one thing for sure, I think it will depend on the -, the economics will play a great part in it. And, of course, we have Mother Nature that’s 8 EXHIBIT B