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him. So he’s basically trying to stay where he is now. There are other lands, as the background
<br />report, recommendation points out, you know, there are lands that you can, you know, you can go
<br />into Village Commercial; but to be honest the Village Commercial property in Waimea is going to
<br />cost considerably more than this. And right now he’s had to reduce staff – he’s down to four. In
<br />the previous application there were five families that worked there. So, you know, the economy is
<br />tough, and now is maybe not the best time to try and get a new lease. And really the justification
<br />for not granting the additional time is, it seems to be based primarily on this Community
<br />Development Plan and the issues raised there. And I certainly understand the Planning
<br />Department’s position that that’s an ordinance, you can’t disregard it, you know, we have to deal
<br />with it. And that’s something that I think, as a community, you know, we need to address because,
<br />I think, you know, we have many special permits in the Waimea community, as I’m sure in other
<br />rural areas,
<br />commercial areas. So these uses are depended upon special permits. And I think looking at the
<br />criteria of the special permits that you have to meet in order to have them granted, they are justified.
<br />I think it gives the Commission the authority to evaluate each application on its face and say, okay,
<br />is this something that’s consistent with the surrounding agricultural uses, is it consistent with the
<br />nature of the land, does it damage or potentially damage agricultural uses, does it create traffic
<br />problems – and I think those are all very legitimate questions. And like I say, I don’t think these
<br />special permits that you’ve been dealing with over the last two or three meetings, are inconsistent
<br />with the surrounding uses, and I believe they should be continued. I think we need to employ as
<br />many people as we can. I think we need to protect our agricultural resources. And I don’t think
<br />that the proposals by the ag uses for, you know, Mr. Caitano or Mr. DeLuz or Parker Ranch or any
<br />these others are inconsistent.
<br />BOWMAN: I have a quick question. In the background report, you mention that the Parker Ranch
<br />permits were of this type for their headquarters – I know this is yet to come. If there were
<br />something like that that opened up that was reasonable, would you consider relocating since Haina
<br />isn’t available?
<br />DELUZ: Well, when I did relocate in Haina and what happened, it really put me in a burden, really
<br />cost me a lot of money, attorney fees, and right now I’m still in the hole. So where I’m at, it’s a
<br />very comfortable place for me now so I can regain my business. But it was really difficult when I
<br />did relocate.
<br />BOWMAN: Thank you.
<br />HOUSEL: Greg, I hear and I understand your arguments as far as the current economy and keeping
<br />people employed, and I’m way behind, all the way behind you on that. I think the Community
<br />Development Plan also looks at the best and most reasonable uses for land, and obviously in this
<br />area being agriculture that’s the most appropriate to be done there. And this, you know, permit has
<br />been extended numerous times. So I guess I’d like to understand what the applicant’s long-term
<br />intention is to, with this business, to keep it there or try to find another location that is more
<br />appropriate.
<br />DELUZ: I would like to keep it there.
<br />HOUSEL: Okay. Then you might, you know, want to consider rezoning it, you know, to make it
<br />appropriate use there.
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<br />EXHIBIT B
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