2007-05-04 THICDC ORI - Laserfiche WebLink

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GRAHAM:Thank you. Any other questions from the Commissioners? Commissioner Iwashita? IWASHITA:In going over the material that we have, a significant concern I have is regarding the community, the effect that this project has had so far in terms of the community. And I commend that it looks like, what I can see, there were like five meetings from November through March with the community and the applicants. The community association in particular is asking for further meetings and trying to work out whatever the residual concerns that they have. And under our Rules, we are working under a 90-day deadline basically that started back in the beginning of April when we first were presented with this application. Our Rule 11-3 (b) (2) allows for a longer time for the Commission to consider this matter as long as the applicant agrees to additional time. So my question to the applicants is whether you would agree to extend the 90-day time for the Commission to consider this matter, so that you can go backtothecommunitytohavefurthermeetingsandtrytoworkitout,sotherecanbeaunified-. If you work it out, my hope is that you come back and there will be a consensus in the community. Or at least the association and so forth would come back and say, okay, this is how we like, you know, we are all happy now, and go ahead and let this project go through. INOUYE:Commissioner Iwashita, we would be happy to do that if we felt that somewhere along the line that a compromised solution was available. Unfortunately, our view is nothing short of withdrawing our application right now would satisfy those that have opposed our project. So we may as well figure out now whether we want to go forward or not. And if not, then well just go on our way. GRAHAM:Thank you, Mr. Inouye. IWASHITA:Mr. Chair? Just a follow-up. GRAHAM:Yes, Commissioner Iwashita, follow-up? IWASHITA:Yeah. I appreciate your frank response, Mr. Inouye. You know, my view is we have our responsibility. And our, you know, what powers limited in this case that we have to do, I really view planning, and that power is given to us under the Codes, the laws that are in effect here. But I really believe that in reading in particular the community associations request, I dont see that thats on the record, if you will, that there has been a totally exhaustive effort done in terms of trying to work it out with the community. And this is a significant, as I see it, multi-million dollar project that is being proposed, and it will have a long-term effect and probably a precedential effect in the community, in this rural community. So I really believe that the community -, any developer, not just this applicant, should make a, what I will term, complete and total effort to address the community concerns, go to the community and do the best in trying to work that out. And my humble opinion now is that further time can be used to address these concerns. So I strongly suggest that we have more time to deal with this. That doesnt require a response. GRAHAM:Thank you, Commissioner Iwashita. Do you wish to make a comment, Mr. Inouye? 9EXHIBIT A