Laserfiche WebLink
GRAHAM:I just want to point out that the major question we hear on the Orchidland <br />stuff is the community association there may have a reduced kind of an area proposal. So I just <br />would like you to comment on that. That would seem like the alternative that€s most present <br />before us, is to follow their reduced proposal they put forth. So could you tell us how that works <br />and what your feelings are about the Commission recommending that instead of what you have <br />here? <br />YUEN:Well, actually, I think their reduced was with respect to the one along <br />Orchidland Drive; and they didn€t say they wanted this reduced. They were negative on this <br />particular, on this application. <br />GRAHAM:So your sense is, so then their recommendation is that we don€t include <br />this one. And so if we do not include this one and then include only the other one, is your sense <br />thatthat€sinappropriate,there€snotenoughroomsetasideforthekindofcommercial <br />development that might be needed in the near future? <br />YUEN:Well, I think that there is more, there€s need for more designated space for <br />commercial development in the Puna area than particularly this mid-subdivision area. I mean, <br />this area between Keaau and Pahoa, which is really one of the fastest-growing areas in <br />population on the island, potentially, more clearly has something like 16,000 lots already <br />permitted in the area. But they do stand alone, you know, you could pass one without passing <br />the other, or the Council could pass one without passing the other. <br />ALAMEDA:Commissioner Iwashita? <br />IWASHITA:I€m looking at the written testimony that makes reference to basically <br />wanting to not have any of these changes done until the Community Development Plan for Puna <br />has been processed and approved by the Council. You have any comments on that? <br />YUEN:Well, we have the Community Development Plan underway. One of the <br />things that we€ve asked them to do is to look at this question and to work on this question of sites <br />for commercial development. Because of my feeling that there is a need for more of this in this <br />area, I would like to move this on. If the Council wants to wait pending the Community <br />Development Plan, that€s, I don€t really have a strong feeling, I certainly don€t have a strong <br />feeling against that if that€s what they want to do. <br />IWASHITA:To follow-up -. <br />ALAMEDA:Follow-up. <br />IWASHITA:I guess, you know, we always see a lot of, not a lot but regularly see <br />special permit applications come in for different kinds of businesses to be done out in Puna. I <br />guess I don€t really see a real urgent, urgent need to, you know, start designating areas. And my <br />preference would be to wait until the community has the input and do the Community <br />Development Plan. It€d be a more organized way to do it rather than selecting the Council, you <br />know, ultimately just saying, okay, this is where it€s going to be without really having <br />community input. Any comments on that? <br />3 <br /> <br />