2008-11-06 TSONOMURA - Laserfiche WebLink

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NISHIMURA: I’m not certain. You know, I know that there are people that are growing macadamia nuts. And based on communications from some of the other surrounding property owners, there may be livestock on some of the adjacent properties. HOUSEL: Okay. Reading the letter from William D. Branco he says he farms his property which borders these lots. Are you familiar with his land and what he does with this land? NISHMURA: I have visited the general area but I’ve not observed anything specific. HOUSEL: Okay. Obviously he’s concerned about the, you know, this change impacting his operations. You know, do you have an explanation or a response to that? NISHIMURA: Well, I believe that, you know, nothing that this project does would prevent him from continuing to do what he does. I guess he’s raising concerns on the possibility of more people being there that you may encounter, I guess, complaints from these new neighbors that come in. However, he would have the right to continue doing what he’s doing. I mean he would not be prevented from continuing his existing activities. HOUSEL: Well, it seems part of his concern is also like Commissioner Bowman pointed out, that this will set a precedent in that area and that there could be more development -. NISHIMURA: Well, like I said I believe that, you know, the County’s long-range plan for the area is Low Density Urban, which would include Single Family Residential uses. I believe that we’re in a period of transition. Many of these lots previously were 10 acres in size. They were subsequently rezoned down to 3 acres, including the adjacent property. So they have gotten smaller. And the trend is for it to get even smaller because of the Low Density Urban designation. And, as I indicated, I believe that the investment in roads, water and drainage improvements in the area would mean that I think it would be a more efficient use of government funds to increase the density to accommodate more people. HOUEL: I see. Okay, thank you very much. WOODWARD: Any further questions? Commissioner Iwashita. IWASHITA: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning, Brian. NISHIMURA: Good morning. IWASHITA: One of the concerns raised in this letter from Mr. Branco is, I guess he’s questioning the need for this project, given the current inventory and the current, well, and now even the current market conditions. So can you address that issue? NISHIMURA: Well, I think that generally the thought is that by creating smaller lots it becomes more affordable to a larger number of people. Also, as part of this requirement the applicant will have to comply with the County affordable housing requirement; and in this particular situation it would be a 20 percent requirement. And in selling vacant residential lots in 6