2010-03-05 TPD CDH - Laserfiche WebLink

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know what the master plan is for Hilo. I don’t know if this modification is just one little change or it’s part of a larger picture which I’m not seeing. But what I do know is that by enforcing or putting limitations on development or growth it can impact the economic condition of a town or a city. We have many small towns and cities in the United States. Hilo is just one of them, but oftentimes we’ve found in research that it’s the small towns that have the less restrictions that get the automobile plants, that get the windmill farms, that get all the new innovative things, investments from, investments from overseas. As I said the change can come from anywhere in any direction. And all I ask is that we keep an open mind that we do not put ourselves in a corner or restrict ourselves as far as growth and development goes. Because it can come up on us very quickly and without any notice. So that’s my summary. WOODWARD: All right, thank you very much. Any questions? Okay, gentlemen, thank you very much for you testimony. You may be seated. The next two would be Caleb Yamanaka and Monika Mallick. All right, if I could swear you in. If you’ll raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth today before the Windward Planning Commission? YAMANAKA: Yes. MALLICK: Yes. WOODWARD: Okay, very good. Mr. Yamanaka if you want to give us your name and address, then you may begin your testimony. YAMANAKA: Caleb Yamanaka, 1636 Mona Loop, Hilo. Thank you, Commissioners, for allowing me the opportunity to speak this morning. My name is Caleb Yamanaka. I’m the broker in charge of Yamanaka Enterprises Inc. We represent the owners of 250 and 252 Kamehameha Avenue (the Young building). For purposes of Full Disclosure I would like to say that I was a former or am a former Vision Keeper from June 2008 to September 2009 and participated in many of the events and conversations that helped shape this Ordinance. With that being said I would like to state my opposition to this entire Ordinance. Not that there are not some good thoughts or ideas that are included in this but more so because as a whole I think this Ordinance only takes us in the wrong direction in regards to the planning for Downtown Hilo, by creating more rules and regulations, when what we need is streamlining and simplicity to encourage investment. Four main points of Contention: Section 25-7-20 Purpose and Applicability – This is a complete redefinition of the CDH zone. There are key words in here that are eliminated and replaced. The current definition of Downtown Hilo’s role is that of a “compact high density area for retail shopping, professional and administrative activities, cultural arts activities and other supportive business and commercial services and multiple family housing.” The new definition is much more abstract, proposing an “ideal” of what Downtown Hilo is and shall provide while proposing that the 10 EXHIBIT C