2023-03-16 Leeward Exh B (Public Testimony re Agenda Item 2 PL-PDI-2022-000004)

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KNOWLES; Thank you. You may proceed. You have three minutes. HENDRICKSON: Good morning, Commissioners, and aloha. We appreciate the scheduling of this particular item, which is functionally a substantial downzoning of the property. As Tom had mentioned, there is a significant conservation easement, actually two, on the property that cover all of the larger zoned elements in addition to quite a bit of the one- and five-acre elements, but most of the one- and five-acre elements of the zoning remain in place, and it's really those aspects that this Director-initiated change impact, and it reverts it back to what is the zoning of adjacent lands and its original character as an agricultural property. And we have great respect for this Commission but recognize that because of the recusals of three of the Commissioners on this item, the likelihood of it having its opportunity to be heard by this Commission is remote in the near future for sure. And so, we, we do support if it is not able to be held in, a hearing to be held with an appropriate vote in the allocated 60 days, that it be moved by the Director to the County Council directly to be heard. Like Tom has mentioned, the Planning Director found that this ordinance was, the terms of the ordinance was time barred 17 years ago, and that the terms of the ordinance was reversion, and so we've been waiting for that to happen. It's created a lot of confusion between those who are working with the property agriculturally at this point and the Planning Department as exactly how this functions with what was an intensive zoning construct and landowners who are pursuing agricultural endeavors on the land. So, we are hoping to get that cleaned up sooner rather than later and do appreciate any review that this Commission has, but we would support that being moved directly to the County Council if the time lapses. Thank you. KNOWLES: Thank you, Mr. Hendrickson. Director Kern, did you have anything you wanted to say before we move on to the next agenda item? KERN: Thank you very much. Yeah, so, we are basically under a statute requirement to hold it for the 60 days; a quorum cannot be reached within that time, then the application will move forward to the County Council with a de facto negative recommendation, and then we'll take it up at the County Council, or Planning Committee, at that time and get into the discussion there. So, we'll keep you folks posted. And thank you very much. KNOWLES: Thank you, Director. These agenda items ended at 11:15 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Noriko Sauer, Secretary Leeward Planning Commission 3 EXHIBIT B