2006-04-07 Tgp-amendment - Laserfiche WebLink

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The road extension or connector referred to above does not belong in the General Plan both because the GP is a general planning document and being this specific tiesitself to the hands of County planners in doing whats best for the community. More importantly, this connector road as proposed will force farmers in Lalamilo Farmlots to significantly reduce or abandon farming in this region. Why? Clearly, the new federalguidelines mandated by the Food Safety Act and food security measures, Clean Air Act, are very specific on limiting exposure of food cropsto dust and particulates, such as those that are kicked up by roads and auto emissions. Cars and food crops do not mix and the farmers in the Lalamilo region are convinced that neither of the two routes currently being consideredfor the roadway can be adequately buffered. Because of this, the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee recently voted to urge Mayor Kim and the Hawaii County Department of Public Works to revise the Hawaii County Long Range Transportation Plan to protect the Lalamilo Farm Lots from being forced out of agriculture by the proposed connector road. As you may know, the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee serves in an advisory capacity to CountyandStateagencies.Itisagrassroots-initiatedorganizationthatmeetsmonthlytodiscuss the transportation concerns and safety issues in the South Kohala District including Waimea, Waikoloa, Kawaihae and Puako. This same committee is officially recognized by both the State and County; and its meetings are regularly attended to by representatives of related agencies as well as community residents. Consequently, their recommendation to the Mayor and to DPW to revise the County Long Range Transportation Plan represents significant opposition to a connector road that would significantly impact Lalamilo Farmlots. I might add here that my wife and I have been members of the Lalamilo Farmlots Association and are very aware of the traffic congestion and life-threatening safety concerns that Waimeas current roadway system presents. Were not opposed to connector roads in general, but urge the County to look at alternatives that are sufficiently removed from the Lalamilo Farmlots as to not to curtail intensive agriculture in this region. There may be a possible connector route closer to town and there may also be a possible connector route further south. But, for the immediate future, we strongly believe that a Mud Lane to Kawaihae bypass is not just critical but an emergency priority, always with the proviso that the intensive agricultural activities of the Puukapu farmers and homesteaders be protected. But short term solutions are needed and we would like to urge the County to seriously consider using the remaining $9 million in bonding funds currently available to address a series of specific suggestions to expedite the flow of traffic around and through Waimea. Please see the attached suggestions which we have also shared with the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee. We also intend to share these with the planning consultants, Parsons Brinckerhoff, which are currently preparing a traffic study of Waimea for the County of Hawaii. Thank you for your time. We urge you to remove the above referenced language, for sure, Item b) from the General Plan and to urge the County to work with the agricultural community in all of Waimea to find alternative solutions to traffic and public safety. Be assured that the members of the Lalamilo Farmlots pledge to work collaboratively with the County and the community to find solutions to traffic and life safety, while also protecting some of the States most productive agricultural lands from urban encroachment. Thank you very much. 6EXHIBIT C