PL-SLU-2022-008-PL-REZ-2022-039 06.14.23 E. Flores Opposition Testimony within 48 hrs

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Chapter 4: Waimea Town Plan lots, and something in the range of an additional 30 to 40 full-time farm jobs, and additional food- producing farms. There have been conflicting opinions from the community regarding the need or demand for additional farm acreage. A market demand analysis and agriculture water use analysis should be developed to address the need for expanding the Farm Lots. Expansion of the farm lots should also be conditional on the ability to adequately increase the supply of water for irrigation. A caution: any expansion of the Lalamilo Farm Lots should be carefully designed to avoid infringing on the culturally and historically significant Waimea Field System. As well, buffer areas consistent with the State Department of Agriculture's recommendation of "800 feet and preferably 1,000 feet distant from the Farm Lots" should be maintained around the existing (and any future) farm lots so that farming activities will not be adversely impacted by nearby residential or other development. Strategy 1.6 Recognize and protect significant trees and other plants in Waimea —A high priority for Waimea should be the identification and protection of significant mature trees or tree clusters within Waimea Town, especially those along the road sides and stream beds, as well those that serve as significant windbreaks. Throughout its history and still today, Waimea has been recognized as a place of great natural beauty. Waimea is where the mountains and forests and the streams and lush varied tree canopy meet the fertile plains. Preserving Waimea's close relationship with nature is critical to preserving its "sense of place". Most people in the Waimea community recognize the need to protect and preserve the quantity and diversity of mature trees in and near the town center, as a way to maintain: • its village character, • its diversity of bird life, • its pedestrian friendly character; • its visual beauty, and • the environmental benefits, such as creating windbreaks and erosion control buffers, and the contribution to an agriculture-friendly climate. Thought needs to be given to the establishment of a "Waimea Trees Advisory Committee" that would work in partnership with interested private groups such as the Outdoor Circle, and with concerned government entities such as the County's exceptional tree Council and the Parks and Recreation Department toward the recognition and preservation of exceptional trees in Waimea. The importance of encouraging protection of trees and vegetation in Waimea goes beyond the significance of individual trees. Other reasons such as global warming, rainfall distribution, and windbreak preservation, make protecting the trees of Waimea a vital undertaking. Strategy 1.7 Encourage design and architectural guidelines that promote Waimea's paniolo heritage - The 1986 Waimea Design Plan should be used as a reference and starting point for formulating additional design and architectural guidelines for new developments in Waimea. POLICY NO. 2 "RESPONSIBLE GROWTH": MODERATE THE PACE OF GROWTH AND CHANGE IN WAIMEA Strategy 2.1 The County should carefully evaluate and condition, as appropriate, any rezoning that would negatively impact important agricultural lands or culturally, visually and environmentally important open spaces or resources in Waimea -- Time will be needed to implement a number of important open space preservation tools and programs, including acquisition of fee interest or conservation easements for important pu'u and some of the East Waimea farm and ranch lots. While these tools and programs are being put into place, private lands that are currently zoned A-5a, A-10a, A-20a, or A-40a should retain their current zoning. Exceptions can be made for affordable housing, agricultural cluster subdivisions, and small-scale South Kohala CDP November, 2008 FINAL Page 70