2007-04-05 THICDC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Department has received 16 letters in opposition to the proposed affordable housing project. Of these, at least 13 come from owners of larger lots adjacent to or makai of the proposed housing project. To purchase a large agricultural lot is simply not an option for most of the island population that is looking for housing. This is among one of the findings that caused him to ask for approval of the Change of Zone. In my perspective, Mr. Yuen has placed these people as second class Pepeekeo residents. He knows nothing of our backgrounds or how some of us came to live in Pepeekeo. When my husband and I moved here 14 years ago we had nothing. We lived in a one-bedroom, 400 square foot house with 3 children under the age of 12.After working about 80 hours a week for most of the 14 years we were able to be where we are. Many of the other landowners also have difficult stories to tell of how they came to where they are. We are for affordable housing because we know how life can be personally. Not only do we have children that would also some day like to own their own house, but we have worked in areas where people of low incomes lived. We had a food bank in our home and helped many people whose electricity was about to be cut off. I have helped stop a man from committing suicide. I chased down a man only to hear his wife say be careful he has a gun and then talk him out of it. We have volunteered our time to remodel apartments that were used to help the homeless who were in transition. So I know personally how hard life can be. Three years ago, unlike people who have lived in Pepeekeo all their lives or for many years, my husband and I chose to make Pepeekeo our home and our community. We were blessed because it was before the prices went up and with my husband’s expertise in construction we were able to build our own home. My concerns are for my community. Placing a dense urban subdivision in the proposed location will be harmful to my community. I am very disappointed that Mr. Yuen has included this in his recommendation. I have been working on petitions against this rezoning and I am not through. But so far I have about 140 petitions signed. Majority of these are from people who live in the Kulaimano Subdivision. From the people that I have spoken to approximately 90 percent of the people that I have spoken to are against this rezoning. Of the 45 letters sent to those who have land within the 500-foot perimeter of the proposed sites, those we have contacted within this perimeter, which is 27, the percentage is the same, approximately 90 percent in opposition. One of the key reasons for this opposition is the road issues which I want to briefly mention. I rd read the letter from the Police Department that was written on January 23. It said that upon reviewing the provided documents and visiting the proposed site they do not anticipate any significant impact to traffic and/or public concerns. Well, I wrote them back. And when I wrote them back I said I would like to know what was the basis for their conclusion when all the existing homes in this area are built there will be approximately 100 or more homes. Now this includes the Pepeekeo Point, the Orchards of Pepeekeo and other properties in this area. This, of course, does not include the current proposed 6 lots turned into 43 lots more. This is in itself will put an added significant impact to the traffic and/or public safely to the privately owned road from Highway 19 to Old Mamalahoa Highway. Also the existing old Mamalahoa Highway is narrow and has only a one lane bridge should the cars from this planned subdivision choose not go in that direction. Going out onto Highway 19 is at times already dangerous with cars zooming. There is limited sight since the highway is raised from both sides. Cars heading to the EXHIBIT D 15