2005-04-01 TYAMADASAFARIK - Laserfiche WebLink

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Andjustasa side note, Mr. Iwashita, there was a, and it finally came to fruition, about 8 acres right outside of the Pahoa area thats just, I guess, they just had their grand opening. Its call the Malama Village Market Place. And theres a gas station there, theres a Subway, theres a hardware store, theres a Village Market Place that is run by Foodland. That place is packed every day. There is a pent up need in an underserved community. And when I look at the people that are accessing that particular Pahoa Village Market Place, its primarily from the lower region, or I shouldnt say the lower region but the makai region that we call Leilani Estates, Nanawale, Hawaiian Beaches, Pahoa, Kalapana, Sea View Estates, Kaohe Homestead. All those areas are being serviced by that particular development, but we still have an area that we call Hawaiian Paradise Park, Ainaloa, Orchidland that is not being serviced. And I submit that this project would provide for that particular service. So to answer your question in a round-about way, Im hoping that these two areas, plus Aulii, would be considered for Urban Expansion designation in the General Plan. SPRINGER:Thankyou,Mr.Safarik.CommissionerSiracusa. SIRACUSA:Ivehadquiteafewpeopleapproachmeaboutthisproject.Andoneof the things, one of the comments that have been made repeatedly has been isnt this the first step, isnt this setting the standard for strip development along Highway 130? And if we have three bubbles then whats to prevent us later on from connecting the dots and making it a solid strip mall all the way? How would you respond to those people? SAFARIK:Thats an excellent consideration. But the whole notion of doing these bubble-type Urban Expansion designation is precisely for good planning. I would respond to those people that once we designate this in the General Plan as Urban Expansion, and we allow those areas to be rezoned for Urban Expansion, that will serve the greater Puna community for the next 25 years. In between those areas are residential homes, people are living in those homes there. So I dont believe that were going to get into a strip mall issue, because a strip mall would note that were not planning, were just going and building as the need arises. What Im suggesting is that were directing the need for the Urban Expansion into these three areas and leaving the rest of the areas that we want to keep pristine out of that quotient. I dont know if that would answer your question or address the people that youve talked to, but thats how I would respond to them. SIRACUSA:Thank you. SPRINGER:Thank you, Mr. Safarik. Commissioners, are there any other questions for the testifier? Commissioner Watanabe? WATANABE:You know, Im not against the development per se. I think where I have some problems is with the recommendation from the Land Use Commission where theyre suggesting that this may not be the proper method of reclassifying the land use here. And in light of the recent Hokulia dealings, it kind of troubles me, especially since in reviewing the history in that immediate vicinity it seems as though we have been somewhat inconsistent in approving or denying. Would it help you if this Commission were to even say, like recommend to the Land Use that this be approved but not approve it on its own? 5