2008-11-06 TSONOMURA - Laserfiche WebLink

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changes would drastically increase the people, cars and noise into the neighborhood. Again, I’d like to point out that the primary access to the project area from State Highway 11 is Makalika Street which is utilized by Nani Mau Gardens, which is a tourist attraction. It is a facility serving food and drinks for private parties as well as community events. I believe it also is considered a restaurant and that, you know, the traffic involved in those activities already are introducing a tremendous amount of vehicles, people and noise into the community. Another point that was made was they would like to see the preservation of agricultural land. And I believe that the preservation of agricultural land is important and it is reflected in the goals of both the State and County land use policies and, as such, the conversions of such lands are not taken lightly. You know, it needs to be carefully reviewed, and there needs to be certain policies that are addressed before that can happen. I’d like to point out that the General Plan Land Use Pattern Allocation Guide Map designation for this property is Low Density Urban. It is not Agriculture. The County General Plan Land Use Map has identified other areas for Agricultural preservation. And over 386,000 acres are identified as important agricultural land; and these lands are the ones that have the, I guess, highest level of protection anticipated in this land use planning process. In addition to the Important Agricultural Land there are an additional 661,000 acres identified as Extensive Agricultural Land. Again, the subject property is not designated in either one of these categories. In other words, our County General Plan has designated this area for future Urban development. This does not mean that the existing agricultural uses in the area cannot continue. They can continue for as long as the owners of the property wish to pursue that activity; and they should be allowed to do so. Nevertheless as property owners decide that they no longer wish to pursue agricultural use on their property the General Plan designation is an indication that Low Density Urban uses would be appropriate. This designation is not merely just a color on the map. It represents the commitment of government to provide the necessary infrastructure to accommodate these uses. In this particular location the roads, the water, drainage improvements have already been made. They represent a tremendous investment on the part of government in getting this land or making this land ready and available for higher density uses. And I think that the proposed project would make a more efficient use of these resources while maintaining a level of density to be compatible with the existing uses of the area. That’s all I have to say. WOODWARD: Any of the Commissioners have any questions for Mr. Nishimura? Commissioner Domingo. DOMINGO: Thank you. Mr. Nishimura, one of the requirements is that improvements be made to the entire length of Awa Street. You folks concur with that? NISHIMURA: That’s correct. The Department of Public Works has requested that Awa Street be improved, as well as the private road that is currently there would also have to be improved, basically, up to County dedicable standards. And the applicant is willing to do it. DOMINGO: What’s that length of that portion of the street? NISHIMURA: The Awa Street portion is about, my rough guess is little less than 500 feet; and the private roadway length is a little more than 500 feet. DOMINGO: Thank you. 4