2008-09-04 TCAMPBELL - Laserfiche WebLink

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written statement was noted as being in support of Ms. Campbell’s tutoring center or school; and I most definitely and adamantly opposed. I would like to make sure that that’s noted. The current HPP Owners Association Board of Directors has, by virtue of a vote in the August 16, 2008 meeting, recognized the recommendation for granting authorization of a special use permit would violate the HPP Master Plan which designates commercial development within specified village centered commercial areas within HPP and that the recommended granting of the special use permit would create additional traffic and constitute a cottage industry which violates the HPP Master Plan. The concept of a school or tutoring center is a good idea; however, it is in the wrong place, which was the statement that was made by the Board of Directors prior to having the motion. I agree that more schools would be wonderful but I am a strong supporter of public schools. And we need to support the public schools; and if they aren’t doing a good job we need to hold them accountable and make every effort to assist them. The full meeting minutes of the 8/16 HPP Board of Director’s meeting will not be publicly available until approved at the next scheduled meeting. However, you have the recommendation that was forwarded by the HPP Owners Association Board. The Puna Development Plan currently on the Mayor’s desk for approval partners the HPP Master Plan in controlling commercial developments by establishing the village center concept to prevent the unplanned development of commercial enterprises in agricultural and residential areas in Puna. The village center concept according to the Herald Tribune newspaper was articulated on behalf of County Council Member Emily Naeole of the Puna, like Chris Yuen who sits with you today. I’d like to read an excerpt from a letter written by the Hawaii County Planning Director Chris Yuen to the Puna CDP Steering Committee on November 13, 2006. In part it says “In the 1990 special permits were granted to allow a small commercial area on Orchidland Drive to serve subdivisions between Keaau and Pahoa. The 2005 General Plan formally designated this area as Medium Density Urban to encourage commercial development. In addition the 2005 General Plan adopted portions of the 1998 Hawaiian Paradise Park Master Plan by designating two 20- acre sites in Paradise Park as Medium Density and two other 20-acre sites as Industrial.” If the County as a matter of course, now this is me, if the County as a matter of course is recommending the approval of commercial enterprises, and this tutoring center is a commercial enterprise or a business, then by authorizing the special use permit applications the County must assume responsibility for the infrastructure improvements necessary to conduct the operation as a business, including but not limited to roads, sewer, water, parks and school facilities. I would welcome a County funded-paved road and County water with all of the infrastructure improvements. If the County has the intention of overriding the HPP Master Plan the County may pay for the privilege. This I believe will be operated as a school. The children will be dropped off at 8 o’clock in the morning and they’ll be picked up later in the afternoon, some as late as 4 or 4:30. A school has a place, and it’s in a commercial development area; and those are available on the island. And, also, in the same meeting which the do not approve was recommended by the HPP Board, a do not approve was recommended for a day-care center on the same basis within HPP. And the Board recommended that they not approve Ms. Campbell’s tutoring center as it is a cottage industry, creates increased traffic, and violates the Master Plan, it would set a bad precedent, etc. I believe that establishing this sort of a business in a residential area or residential and agricultural is inappropriate, as does the Board of Directors of HPP. It’s a great idea, it’s a wrong site to do it. That’s the end of my testimony. EXHIBIT B 9