PL-SMA-2023-000038 01.15.24 Walter Jaccard Testimony

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Walter B. Jaccard Bonni L. Sundberg 106 loth Street South Kirkland, WA 98033 425-765-7387 wi accard2outlook.com January 15, 2024 By Email (LPCtestimonyghawaiicoun ov) and US Mail Leeward Planning Commission County of Hawai'i, East Hawai'i Office 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 Hilo, HI 96720 Re: SMA Use Permit Application(PL-SMA-2023-000038)TMK: 7-5-018:011 Dear Leeward Planning Commission, Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the recent SMA Use Permit Application (PL-SMA- 2023-000038)to be discussed at a Public Hearing on January 18, 2024. For the past 9 years, we have owned a condominium located at 75-5870 Kahakai Road(Hale Kona Kai),Unit 209 in Kailua Kona which is located directly across Kahakai Road from the proposed 100-room hotel described in the SMA application. We have reviewed the information packet provided by the Planning Consultant and have several questions and concerns regarding the proposed building that we hope you will consider and address: 1. While stated as a 100-unit hotel development, the 51 Type-C units have three entry doors. This allows the option for the hotel to implement a"lock-off' rental, creating a 151-unit hotel. This configuration is common in timeshare developments and allows the room with kitchenette to be rented to one party and the second bedroom with a coffeemaker to be rented to another party. This is a significant intensification of use from the previously approved 48 condominiums and should trigger more significant scrutiny for environmental impacts. In addition, it should be noted that the current Zoning would have to be changed to have a hotel of more than 102 rooms. Further,while the Planning Consultant mentions that the proposed structure would be a 100-room hotel, he fails to mention that the total number of guests would be 344 at full occupancy (this number is hidden on Exhibit F, Water Use Calculation Report of the SMA application.) 2. There are 143 parking spaces. At 80% occupancy,that is 275 guests in the hotel and most will have a rental car. Several spaces will be dedicated to hotel reception for temporary parking, handicap stalls,compact cars, and maybe a hotel shuttle. This parking is completely inadequate for 100 hotel units (or more likely 151 hotel units)plus parking for the staff on site to work and maintain the property. This will impact parking throughout the Kahakai neighborhood for residents,guests,workers and those seeking ocean access.