2010-07-23 TMEN - Laserfiche WebLink

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HOUSEL: Could I ask you to please summarize your written testimony? S.HOIST: Certainly. I realize that whether the property owners develop commercially or residentially, their plans haven’t so far included saving the trees, but I’m hoping that we, the County and the community can encourage them to do so in the future. Whatever development is put in place, the trees should be considered worth saving and incorporated into the landscape. Perhaps, they would be an excellent buffer zone desperately needed by the neighboring residences. My hope was that they can be designated as exceptional trees by the County of Hawai‘i. I understand that your, the County Code, Chapter 14, Article 10, 14-16 (sic) gives a provision for this Planning Commission to be able to, you know, propose a development -. I won’t read it to you obviously, if I’m running out of time. I haven’t shared this testimony, though, so this is the first time you are hearing this. It says that you can request the advice from the arborist advisory committee concerning the trees within any proposed development prior to any grading or granting of final subdivision approval to assure that exceptional trees are retained and to prevent the unnecessary destruction of such trees during development. The lack of designation as an exceptional tree does not diminish the responsibility and the authority of the Planning Department to recommend trees to be incorporated into the development plan. The trees already meet many of these standards. They are very exceptional and they are very historical, as you can see. If I don’t have time, I won’t read the rest of the explanation from the Kona Historical Society about why these tress are very historical. Hopefully, you have enough information that I’ve already provided you. In summary, there are many reasons why this development should not be approved. These trees, these trees need to be saved. They are structural elements of our traditional landscape, which serve to remind and connect us to our history. Too much of the familiar Kona landscape is being discarded in favor of new developments. Please require that the trees be evaluated and saved. Thank you. HOUSEL: Thank you very much. By the way, I want to let you know all of the document you submitted will be part of the formal record. S. HOIST: Okay, great, thank you very much. I will now speak for my neighbor, Teri McGuire. “My name is Teri McGurie, and my home is located right next door to the proposed rezoning development -.” HOUSEL: Excuse me. Did you submit that document? S. HOIST: Yes, I did. HOUSEL: Okay, thank you. S. HOIST: I won’t read her address – you’ve already had that. “Since I am unable to attend this meeting, I wanted to make sure that my objections and concerns are heard.To start, I agree with the other neighbors who border the property that such a development would have a bad impact to a residential area like ours. My objections are simple: This should stay a residential zoning area 9 EXHIBIT A